But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even though Jehu violently purged Israel of Baal worship and seemed to be a reformer, the text makes it clear he still clung to the sins of Jeroboam. It's a stark reminder that we can remove one evil without fully turning from all our ingrained, subtle ways of avoiding true dependence on God.
But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jehu, who was divinely appointed to execute judgment on Ahab's wicked family, achieves his violent mission. However, despite his zeal against Baal worship, he fails to eliminate the established idol worship of the golden calves begun by Jeroboam, thus continuing a pattern of sin that has plagued Israel for generations. This sets the stage for further judgment on the northern kingdom.
Jehu's reign started with a bang – a violent purge of Baal worship! But did he truly cleanse the land? This verse shows that even the most zealous reforms can leave dangerous traces behind.
The Root of the Problem
Jehu was commissioned by God to execute judgment on the house of Ahab and eradicate Baal worship. He did a thorough job, even executing Jezebel!
But the verse points out a critical flaw: "Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat." This refers to the sin of setting up golden calves as objects of worship, first established by Jeroboam at the beginning of the divided kingdom.
Why Golden Calves?
Jeroboam's sin was rooted in fear and political expediency. He worried that if the people kept going to Jerusalem to worship, their hearts might turn back to Rehoboam, the king of Judah. So, he created convenient, accessible 'gods' within his own kingdom to keep his people loyal to him.
These calves were not necessarily seen as the gods themselves, but as pedestals or symbols representing the Lord. However, this was a profound distortion of true worship, leading the people away from the prescribed way to approach God.
Jehu wiped out the prophets of Baal and tore down their altars. It looked like total victory! But true faith isn't just about removing outward sin; it's about replacing it with genuine devotion.
The Appearance of Piety
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It's easy to focus on the dramatic acts of judgment. Jehu's purge of Baal worship was certainly dramatic and, on the surface, appeared to be a complete spiritual cleansing. He called for the prophets of Baal, orchestrated a deadly trap, and saw them eliminated.
This kind of external, sometimes violent, action can give the impression of deep faithfulness. It's decisive and visible.
The Unseen Compromise
However, the text reveals that the real spiritual pollution—the idolatry introduced by Jeroboam—remained untouched. The golden calves in Bethel and Dan were still points of worship, even as Baal worship was eradicated.
This shows that a heart isn't truly turned to God simply by destroying one form of false worship. If the underlying tendency towards creating our own ways of relating to God, or finding convenience over true obedience, isn't addressed, the spiritual land remains defiled.
Understand the original words
chatta'ah · Hebrew Noun
The act of missing the mark of God's standard, involving rebellion, disobedience, or failure to act according to His revealed will. It is a fundamental violation of the covenant relationship with God.
egel · Hebrew Noun
Small images or idols cast in gold, used by Jeroboam I to establish a rival worship system in the Northern Kingdom of Israel to prevent the people from traveling to Jerusalem. They represent 'will-worship' or man-made religion that attempts to represent Yahweh through forbidden means.
Jehu's reign is presented as a stark example of mixed motives. While he aggressively purged the worship of Baal, he failed to dismantle the deeply ingrained idolatry of the golden calves, continuing a sin that ultimately contributed to Israel's destruction.
c. 931 BC
Israel Splits into Two Kingdoms
After King Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's complaints led to a division. Ten northern tribes broke away, forming the Kingdom of Israel, while Rehoboam ruled Judah in the south.
c. 931-910 BC— this verse
Jeroboam Establishes Golden Calves
The first king of the Northern Kingdom, Jeroboam, feared that his people would return to worship in Jerusalem (in Judah). To prevent this, he set up golden calf idols in Bethel and Dan, encouraging a different form of worship.
841 BC
Jehu's Violent Coup
Jehu, a commander in the Israelite army, was anointed king with a mission to destroy the house of Ahab. He ruthlessly eliminated Ahab's family and the prophets of Baal, but he maintained the idolatrous worship practices established by Jeroboam.
732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Israel
Under Tiglath-Pileser III, the Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered much of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many citizens. This marked the beginning of the end for the independent northern state.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and End of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian king Shalmaneser V besieged and captured the capital city of Samaria. The Northern Kingdom of Israel ceased to exist, and its people were exiled, never to return as a distinct entity.
This passage shows the origin of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan, established by Jeroboam I, directly linking to the sin Jehu continued.
Exodus 20:3-5These verses contain the second commandment, forbidding the making of idols and graven images, which directly addresses the sin of idolatry Jehu failed to eradicate.
Deuteronomy 12:29-32Here, God warns His people against adopting the practices of the nations they are displacing, including their worship, highlighting the spiritual danger of clinging to idolatry.
Hosea 4:15-17This prophetic passage denounces the continued worship at Bethel and Gilgal, showing the deep-seated nature of the idolatry and its devastating consequences for Israel.
Even though Jehu violently purged Israel of Baal worship and seemed to be a reformer, the text makes it clear he still clung to the sins of Jeroboam. It's a stark reminder that we can remove one evil without fully turning from all our ingrained, subtle ways of avoiding true dependence on God.
Jehu, who was divinely appointed to execute judgment on Ahab's wicked family, achieves his violent mission. However, despite his zeal against Baal worship, he fails to eliminate the established idol worship of the golden calves begun by Jeroboam, thus continuing a pattern of sin that has plagued Israel for generations. This sets the stage for further judgment on the northern kingdom.
Jehu, who was divinely appointed to execute judgment on Ahab's wicked family, achieves his violent mission. However, despite his zeal against Baal worship, he fails to eliminate the established idol worship of the golden calves begun by Jeroboam, thus continuing a pattern of sin that has plagued Israel for generations. This sets the stage for further judgment on the northern kingdom.
"But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan." — Even though Jehu violently purged Israel of Baal worship and seemed to be a reformer, the text makes it clear he still clung to the sins of Jeroboam. It's a stark reminder that we can remove one ev…
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Last reviewed October 2026