Old Testament
2 Kings 10:29
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
Jehu was a king who took decisive action against the house of Ahab, but he fell short in one crucial area.
- Author
- Author unknown; possibly Jeremiah
- Written
- Around 560 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- Exiled Israelites in Babylon
However, Jehu did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel into — specifically, the golden calves set up at Bethel and Dan.
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 Bethel, and that were in Dan.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
Jehu was a king who took decisive action against the house of Ahab, but he fell short in one crucial area. Despite his efforts to eliminate the worship of Baal, he continued the practices established by Jeroboam, which included the worship of golden calves. These idols were set up in Bethel and Dan, leading the people of Israel away from true worship. Jehu's failure to abandon these sins shows that even a strong leader can miss the mark when it comes to fully following God's ways. His actions remind us that partial obedience is still disobedience. The golden calves represented a significant turning away from God, and Jehu's choice to keep them in place had lasting consequences for Israel. This passage serves as a warning about the importance of complete devotion and the dangers of compromise in our beliefs and actions. It challenges us to examine our own lives for any areas where we might be holding onto things that lead us away from a genuine relationship with God. Explore related idolatry.
Related Bible verses
How to apply 2 Kings 10:29 to your life
Reflect on your own life and identify any areas where you might be compromising your values. Are there habits or influences that lead you away from what you know is right? Commit to making changes that align with your beliefs and strengthen your relationship with God. Remember, complete devotion is essential for true fulfillment and peace in life. Don't settle for partial obedience; strive for a whole-hearted commitment to your values.
Curated for this public verse page. 2 Kings Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does 2 Kings 10:29 mean?
2 Kings 10:29 highlights Jehu's failure to completely turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, specifically the worship of golden calves in Bethel and Dan. Despite his efforts to eradicate Baal worship, he allowed these idols to remain, showing that partial obedience to God is still disobedience.
What is the significance of the golden calves in 2 Kings 10:29?
The golden calves in 2 Kings 10:29 symbolize idolatry and a significant turning away from true worship of God. They were established by Jeroboam to lead the people of Israel away from Jerusalem, representing a compromise in faith that Jehu failed to address.
What does the verse say about leadership and obedience?
The verse illustrates that even strong leaders like Jehu can fall short in their obedience to God. It serves as a reminder that true leadership involves complete devotion to God's ways, rather than just addressing some issues while ignoring others.
How does 2 Kings 10:29 relate to modern faith practices?
2 Kings 10:29 encourages individuals to examine their own lives for areas of compromise in their faith. It serves as a warning that holding onto practices or influences that lead away from genuine worship can have lasting consequences.
The Book of 2 Kings
2 Kings 1: Elijah’s Final Prophecy
The book of 2 Kings opens with the reign of Ahaziah, Ahab’s son and successor, who continues his father’s wicked ways. After falling through a lattice in his upper chamber, Ahaziah is seriously injured. Instead of inquiring of the Lord of Israel, he sends messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he will recover. The prophet Elijah is sent by an angel to intercept the messengers. He confronts them with the question, “Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?” and delivers a message of judgment: Ahaziah will not recover but will surely die.
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