And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to just see a list of bad things here, but notice how the text connects these actions: "burned their sons and their daughters as offerings" and then "used divination and omens." These weren't separate evils; for them, seeking supernatural guidance through forbidden means was intertwined with their horrifying sacrifices, showing a complete rejection of God's way. The verse starkly highlights how their idolatry led them to utterly corrupt acts, even in the care of their own children, all while thinking they were navigating the spiritual world.
And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes the terrible spiritual state of the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically during the final days before its conquest by Assyria. The people had completely abandoned the Lord, engaging in horrific idolatrous practices and child sacrifice, a stark contrast to the covenant God had made with them. This chapter details their pervasive sin, which ultimately led to God's judgment and their exile.
Ever wondered what really drove ancient peoples to worship other gods? The Bible doesn't shy away from the dark side of these practices.
The people of Israel, after the northern kingdom split from Judah, were falling into the same pagan practices as the surrounding nations. This verse details some of the most disturbing: burning their children as sacrifices. This wasn't just a mild deviation; it was a horrific act that utterly disgusted God. These practices were rooted in a desire to control the future through divination and omens, essentially trying to manipulate the spiritual realm for personal gain, rather than trusting in God's sovereignty.
It's one thing to stumble into sin, but what happens when people actively choose to pursue evil?
The phrase 'sold themselves to do evil' is powerful. It implies a deliberate, conscious decision to abandon God's ways and embrace wickedness. It wasn't an accident or a minor lapse in judgment; it was a surrender of their will to sin. This active choice, driven by the allure of pagan practices and a rejection of God's commands, led them to a state where they were willingly enslaved to evil. They weren't just tempted; they actively bought into a lifestyle of sin.
What does it mean for God to be 'angry'? It's more than just a human emotion.
The verse concludes by stating these actions were 'provoking him to anger.' In the Bible, God's anger isn't like human rage, which is often impulsive or petty. God's anger is a righteous response to sin and rebellion. It's His holy opposition to evil, His distress over the destruction sin brings. When His people, whom He loved and set apart, turned to such detestable practices, especially those involving the sacrifice of children, it was a deep betrayal that rightly incurred His displeasure and judgment.
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Understand the original words
qesem · Hebrew Noun
Practices intended to gain hidden knowledge or control the future through occult means, forbidden by God as they replace reliance on His revelation and sovereignty.
nachash · Hebrew Noun
A sign or token used to predict the future, often interpreted through non-divine methods, which God prohibited because it diverts trust from Him.
makar · Hebrew Verb
A figurative way of saying they fully surrendered their freedom and will to the service of sin, becoming slaves to evil instead of servants of God.
aph · Hebrew Noun
An intense divine reaction to human rebellion and covenant-breaking. It is the righteous, settled indignation of a holy God against that which violates His nature and people.
This passage comes at the climax of the northern kingdom's collapse. The historical reality of the Assyrian conquests and the forced resettlement of peoples highlights the devastating consequences of turning away from God and embracing foreign, cruel practices, which the text describes as the very reason for their destruction.
c. 745-727 BC
Reign of Tiglath-Pileser III
This powerful Assyrian king begins a period of aggressive expansion, conquering many territories in the ancient Near East, including parts of Israel.
734-732 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Israel
Tiglath-Pileser III invades the northern Kingdom of Israel, capturing key cities and deporting Israelites. The kingdom is divided into Assyrian provinces.
c. 727 BC
Death of Tiglath-Pileser III
Following his death, his successor Shalmaneser V continues Assyrian dominance over the region.
c. 725-722 BC— this verse
Revolt and Siege of Samaria
Under Hoshea, the remaining northern kingdom of Israel rebels against Assyrian rule. Shalmaneser V lays siege to the capital city, Samaria.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Exile
Samaria falls after a three-year siege. The Assyrians deport the vast majority of the Israelite population, scattering them throughout the Assyrian Empire, and repopulate the land with foreigners.
c. 721-705 BC
Reign of Sargon II
Sargon II continues the Assyrian policy of forced resettlement and imposes harsh rule on the conquered territories. The 'lost tribes' begin their long exile.
This passage directly warns against the very practices mentioned in 2 Kings 17:17, such as sorcery, divination, and child sacrifice, showing these were forbidden by God's law.
Jeremiah 7:31The prophet Jeremiah condemns the same abominable practices, specifically mentioning burning sons as offerings, highlighting that this sin led to God's judgment even centuries later.
Psalm 106:37-38This psalm recounts the unfaithfulness of Israel, explicitly stating they sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons, mirroring the actions of the northern kingdom described in 2 Kings.
Leviticus 18:21This verse from the Law is a clear prohibition against passing children through the fire to Molech, which is precisely what the people in 2 Kings 17:17 were doing, demonstrating the deep offense against God's holiness.
It's easy to just see a list of bad things here, but notice how the text connects these actions: "burned their sons and their daughters as offerings" and then "used divination and omens." These weren't separate evils; for them, seeking supernatural guidance through forbidden means was intertwined with their horrifying sacrifices, showing a complete rejection of God's way. The verse starkly highlights how their idolatry led them to utterly corrupt acts, even in the care of their own children, all while thinking they were navigating the spiritual world.
This verse describes the terrible spiritual state of the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically during the final days before its conquest by Assyria. The people had completely abandoned the Lord, engaging in horrific idolatrous practices and child sacrifice, a stark contrast to the covenant God had made with them. This chapter details their pervasive sin, which ultimately led to God's judgment and their exile.
This verse describes the terrible spiritual state of the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically during the final days before its conquest by Assyria. The people had completely abandoned the Lord, engaging in horrific idolatrous practices and child sacrifice, a stark contrast to the covenant God had made with them. This chapter details their pervasive sin, which ultimately led to God's judgment and their exile.
"And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger." — It's easy to just see a list of bad things here, but notice how the text connects these actions: "burned their sons and their daughters as offerings" and then "used divination and omens." These wer…
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Last reviewed October 2026