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◄ 2 Kings 17:25►

New International Version
When they first lived there, they did not worship the LORD; so he sent lions among them and they killed some of the people.

New Living Translation
But since these foreign settlers did not worship the LORD when they first arrived, the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

English Standard Version
And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the LORD. Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Berean Standard Bible
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

King James Bible
Andso it was at the beginning of their dwelling there,that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slewsome of them.

New King James Version
And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there,that they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killedsome of them.

New American Standard Bible
And at the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them that were killing some of them.

NASB 1995
At the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them which killed some of them.

NASB 1977
And it came about at the beginning of their living there, that they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them which killed some of them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened at the beginning of their settlement there, that they did not fear Yahweh; therefore Yahweh sent lions among them which were killing them.

Amplified Bible
Now when they began to live there, they did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them which killed some of them.

Christian Standard Bible
When they first lived there, they did not fear the LORD. So the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they first lived there, they did not fear Yahweh. So the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

American Standard Version
And so it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not Jehovah: therefore Jehovah sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Contemporary English Version
At first these people did not worship the LORD, so he sent lions to attack them, and the lions killed some of them.

English Revised Version
And so it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they first came to live there, they didn't worship the LORD. So the LORD sent lions to kill some of them.

Good News Translation
When they first settled there, they did not worship the LORD, and so he sent lions, which killed some of them.

International Standard Version
When they first began to live there, the settlers did not fear the LORD, so he sent lions among them, and they killed a few of them.

NET Bible
When they first moved in, they did not worship the LORD. So the LORD sent lions among them and the lions were killing them.

New Heart English Bible
So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

World English Bible
So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they didn’t fear Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, at the commencement of their dwelling there, they have not feared YHWH, and YHWH sends the lions among them, and they are destroying among them.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, at the commencement of their dwelling there, they have not feared Jehovah, and Jehovah doth send among them the lions, and they are destroying among them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be in the beginning of their dwelling there, they will not fear Jehovah; and Jehovah will send against them lions, and they will be killing among them.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they began to dwell there, they feared not the Lord: and the Lord sent lions among them, which killed them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they had begun to live there, they did not fear the Lord. And the Lord sent lions among them, which were killing them.

New American Bible
When they first settled there, they did not venerate the LORD, so he sent lions among them that killed some of them.

New Revised Standard Version
When they first settled there, they did not worship the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not reverence the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions against them, which slew some of them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And from the beginning, when they dwelt there, they were not in awe of LORD JEHOVAH, and LORD JEHOVAH sent lionesses against them, and they were killing among them.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And so it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was so at the beginning of their establishment therethat they feared not the Lord, and the Lord sent lions among them, and they slew some of them.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Israel's Cities Resettled by Foreigners
24Then 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.25Now when the settlers first lived there,they did not worship the LORD,so He sent lions among them,which killed some of them.26So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Leviticus 26:22
I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate.

Deuteronomy 32:24
They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust.

Exodus 23:28-29
I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites and Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. / I will not drive them out before you in a single year; otherwise the land would become desolate and wild animals would multiply against you.

Joshua 24:12
I sent the hornet ahead of you, and it drove out the two Amorite kings before you, but not by your own sword or bow.

1 Samuel 17:34-36
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

2 Kings 2:24
Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

Isaiah 7:18
On that day the LORD will whistle to the flies at the farthest streams of the Nile and to the bees in the land of Assyria.

Jeremiah 5:6
Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous.

Ezekiel 14:15
Or if I send wild beasts through the land to leave it childless and desolate, with no man passing through it for fear of the beasts,

Hosea 13:7-8
So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. / Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart.

Amos 3:4
Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion growl in his den if he has caught nothing?

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Mark 1:13
and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.

Acts 28:3-6
Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

they feared

2 Kings 17:28,32,34,41
Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD…

Joshua 22:25
For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

Jeremiah 10:7
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wisemen of the nations, and in all their kingdoms,there is none like unto thee.

the Lord sent

2 Kings 2:24
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

1 Kings 13:24
And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.

1 Kings 20:36
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him.

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2 Kings 17

1.Hoshea the Last King of Israel
3.Being subdued by Shalmaneser, he conspires against him with So, king of Egypt
5.Samaria for sinning is led into captivity
24.The strange nations transplanted into Samaria make a mixture of religions.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Now when the settlers first lived there
This phrase refers to the new inhabitants of Samaria after the Assyrian conquest. The Assyrians had a policy of relocating conquered peoples to prevent rebellion, and they brought people from various regions to settle in the land of Israel. This relocation is documented in2 Kings 17:24, where it mentions people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim. The settlers were unfamiliar with the land and its religious traditions, which sets the stage for the events that follow.

they did not worship the LORD
The settlers did not know or follow the worship practices of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This lack of worship is significant because it highlights the spiritual decline that had occurred in Israel, leading to its downfall. The Israelites had been warned repeatedly by prophets to turn from idolatry and return to the worship of the LORD (Yahweh), as seen in passages like2 Kings 17:13-15. The settlers' ignorance of the LORD's worship underscores the loss of spiritual heritage and the consequences of Israel's disobedience.

so He sent lions among them
The sending of lions can be seen as a divine judgment or warning. In the ancient Near East, wild animals were often viewed as instruments of divine retribution. The presence of lions would have been a terrifying and unmistakable sign to the settlers that something was amiss. This act of sending lions is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God uses nature to communicate His displeasure or to bring about repentance, such as the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-11).

which killed some of them
The death of some settlers by lions served as a direct consequence of their failure to worship the LORD. This event would have been a powerful motivator for the settlers to seek understanding of the local deity and His requirements. It reflects the biblical principle that disobedience to God can lead to physical and spiritual consequences, as seen inDeuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are outlined based on Israel's obedience or disobedience to God's commands.

Persons / Places / Events

1.The Israelites
The original inhabitants of the land who were exiled due to their disobedience to God.

2.The Samaritans
A mixed population settled in the land of Israel by the Assyrian king after the Israelites were exiled.

3.The LORD (Yahweh)
The God of Israel, who is central to the account and whose fear and worship are required.

4.Lions
Sent by God as a form of judgment against the new inhabitants for not fearing Him.

5.Assyrian Empire
The ruling power that conquered Israel and resettled the land with people from other nations.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Fearing the LORD
The fear of the LORD is foundational to a right relationship with Him. The new inhabitants' lack of fear led to divine judgment.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is sovereign and uses various means, including nature, to execute His judgment. This reminds us of His control over all creation.

Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God and neglecting His commands have serious consequences, as seen in the sending of lions.

The Call to True Worship
The account challenges us to examine our worship and ensure it aligns with God's requirements, not just cultural or inherited practices.

God's Desire for All to Know Him
Even in judgment, there is an implicit call for the new inhabitants to recognize and fear the LORD, pointing to God's desire for all nations to know Him.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 17:25?

2.How does 2 Kings 17:25 demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation and nations?

3.What lessons can we learn about obedience from 2 Kings 17:25?

4.How does the fear of the Lord relate to 2 Kings 17:25?

5.What other scriptures emphasize consequences for disobedience like in 2 Kings 17:25?

6.How can we apply the fear of the Lord in our daily lives?

7.Why did God send lions among the people in 2 Kings 17:25?

8.How does 2 Kings 17:25 reflect God's judgment on disobedience?

9.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 17:25?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 17?

11.2 Kings 17:25 – How plausible is the account of lions specifically targeting the new settlers for religious reasons?

12.What does "Like a Roaring Lion" mean?

13.Jeremiah 5:6 – How is this threat of wild animals attacking people scientifically or historically credible, given the period's recorded encounters with such creatures?

14.2 Kings 17:28 – How historically credible is the claim that a single Israelite priest could effectively instruct the new inhabitants in proper worship?

What Does 2 Kings 17:25 Mean

Now when the settlers first lived there

• After Assyria conquered the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:6), the king repopulated Samaria with people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim (2 Kings 17:24).

• These newcomers were strangers to the covenant God had made with Israel, yet they now occupied land He had set apart for His own people (Deuteronomy 7:6).

• Scripture often notes that land defiled by idolatry becomes unsafe (Leviticus 18:25); the stage is set for God to act.

They did not worship the LORD

• The text states the settlers “did not worship the LORD,” revealing active neglect, not mere ignorance (Romans 1:21).

• They brought their national deities with them, erecting shrines and continuing pagan rituals (2 Kings 17:29-31).

• God’s first commandment—“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3-5)—was openly violated, demonstrating that His moral law is universal, binding on every nation (Psalm 22:27-28).

So He sent lions among them

• The verb shows direct divine initiative: the LORD Himself “sent” the lions, underscoring His sovereignty over nature (Amos 3:6;Isaiah 45:7).

• Wild beasts are a covenant warning for persistent rebellion (Leviticus 26:22). God’s judgment is never random; it matches the offense and aims to correct (Hebrews 12:6).

• By using lions—symbols of power and fear—God proclaimed that He alone is the true “Lion” whose roar demands awe (Hosea 11:10).

Which killed some of them

• The deaths were real and measurable, proving the judgment was neither metaphorical nor exaggerated (Numbers 21:6).

• God tempered justice with mercy: only “some” were killed, giving survivors opportunity to repent (Ezekiel 33:11).

• The Assyrian response—seeking an Israelite priest to teach “the custom of the god of the land” (2 Kings 17:27)—shows the discipline achieved its awakening purpose, though their later half-hearted worship remained syncretistic (2 Kings 17:33-34).

summary

2 Kings 17:25 records a literal intervention: new settlers in Samaria ignored the one true God, so He sent lions to judge and warn them. The episode teaches that every people is accountable to honor the LORD, idolatry invites tangible discipline, and even judgment carries a merciful call to genuine worship (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25)The Lord sent (the)lions.--In the interval between the Assyrian depopulation and the re-peopling of the land, the lions indigenous to the country had multiplied naturally enough. Their ravages were understood by the colonists as a token of the wrath of the local deity on account of their neglect of his worship. The sacred writer endorses this interpretation of the incident, probably rememberingLeviticus 26:22. (Comp.Exodus 23:29;Ezekiel 14:15.)

Which slew.--The form of the verb implies a state of things which lasted some time. Literally,and they were killing among them.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. -And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the Lord. They were ignorant,i.e., of Jehovah, and paid him no religious regard. They brought with them their own forms of heathenism (see vers. 30, 31).Therefore the Lord sent lions among them. Lions are not now found in Palestine, nor indeed in any part of Syria, though they are numerous in Mesopotamia; but anciently they appear to have been tolerably common in all parts of the Holy Land (see the comment on 1 Kings 13:24). We may gather from what is said here that, though new settlers had been brought into the country by the Assyrians, yet still there had been a considerable decrease in the population, which had been favorable to the lions multiplying. The new settlers, it is to be noted, were placed in the towns (ver. 24); and it is probable that many of the country districts lay waste and desolate. Still, the writer views thegreat increase in the number of the lions as a Divine judgment, which it may have been, though based upon a natural circumstance.Which slew some of them. (For the great boldness of the Palestinian lion, see1 Kings 13:24;1 Kings 20:36;Proverbs 22:13;Isaiah 31:4;Isaiah 38:13;Jeremiah 5:6, etc.)

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now
וַיְהִ֗י(way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when [the settlers] first
בִּתְחִלַּת֙(biṯ·ḥil·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8462:A commencement, rel, original

lived
שִׁבְתָּ֣ם(šiḇ·tām)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

there,
שָׁ֔ם(šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thither

they did not
לֹ֥א(lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

worship
יָרְא֖וּ(yā·rə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

so He
יְהוָ֤ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

sent
וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח(way·šal·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, out

lions among them,
הָ֣אֲרָי֔וֹת(hā·’ă·rā·yō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 738:A lion

which
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ(way·yih·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be

killed [some]
הֹרְגִ֖ים(hō·rə·ḡîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2026:To smite with deadly intent

of them.
בָּהֶֽם׃(bā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

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OT History: 2 Kings 17:25 So it was at the beginning (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)