Bible Strands
2 Kings 10:29
but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehu stands after purging Baal worship and receiving divine approval for destroying Ahab’s house, yet the narrative records his failure to remove the northern kingdom’s established idolatry.
The words — The Hebrew רַק (rak) translates to “only” or “only that,” marking a sharp contrast between Jehu’s partial obedience and his remaining compromise. The verb הֶחֱטִיא (he.che.Ti') means “he caused to sin,” highlighting Jeroboam’s active role in establishing Israel’s religious system.
The thread — This failure echoes the original establishment of the calves in 1 Kings 12:28, the ongoing religious compromise in 1 Kings 13:33, and the prophetic warning that these sins would lead Israel into captivity in 1 Kings 14:16.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that political or partial religious reforms do not erase entrenched idolatry, requiring complete rejection of syncretism rather than selective obedience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth–el, and that were in Dan.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 12:28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
- 1 Kings 13:33 Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places.
- 1 Kings 14:16 So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.”
- Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
- Exodus 32:4 He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”
- Exodus 32:21 “What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?”
- 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.
- 2 Kings 13:2 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and followed the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.
- 2 Kings 13:11 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit, but he walked in them.
- 2 Kings 14:24 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit.