2 Kings 17:31

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29 However every nation continued to make gods of its own, and put them ^ain the shrines on the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities where they dwelt.

30 The men of ^aBabylon made Succoth Benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,

31 ^aand the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites ^bburned their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

32 So they feared the Lord, ^aand from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the¹ high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places.

33 ^aThey feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.

34 To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, ^awhom He named Israel,

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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2 Kings 17:31

The Avites made Nibhaz - This was supposed to be the same as the Anubis of the Egyptians; and was in form partly of a dog, and partly of a man. A very ancient image of this kind now lies before me: it is cut out of stone, about seven inches high; has the body, legs, and arms, of a man; the head and feet of a dog; the thighs and legs covered with scales; the head crowned with a tiara; the arms crossed upon the breasts, with the fingers clenched. The figure stands upright, and the belly is very protuberant. See below.

And Tartak - This is supposed by some to be another name of the same idol; Jarchi says it was in the shape of an ass. Some think these were the representations of the sun in his chariot; Nibhaz representing the solar orb, and Tartak the chariot. See below.

Adrammelech - From adar , glorious, and melech , king. Probably the sun.

Anammelech - From anah , to return, and melech , king. Probably, the Moloch of the Ammonites. Jarchi says, the first was in the form of a mule, the second in the form of a horse; this was probably the moon.

**Other Adam Clarke entries containing 2 Kings 17:31:**

2 Kings 17:41
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