Bible Strands
2 Kings 17:30
The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the religious actions of foreign populations resettled in Samaria by the Assyrian king. This description occurs in the middle of a historical account detailing how each displaced group established shrines and installed local deities.
The words — The Hebrew עָשׂוּ ('asu) translates literally as "they made," indicating the crafting of cultic images. The name סֻכּוֹת בְּנֹת (Sukkot Benoth) appears as the first deity fashioned by the Babylonian settlers.
The thread — This practice of exiled groups creating local gods runs directly from the resettlement decree in 2 Kings 17:24 and continues through the identical pattern in 2 Kings 17:31. The narrative consistently tracks how conquered territories become centers of syncretic worship.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe how displaced communities replace established worship with localized idolatry. It demands a clear recognition of religious compromise without softening the historical record of syncretism.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the men of Babylon made Succoth–benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 17:24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.