Definition: So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 17:41. It’s a pretty significant passage about the rise of idolatry – worshipping idols instead of God. Here's an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a shift in how these nations (primarily Israel and Judah) were behaving after receiving a special message from God. They started to prioritize making images, especially children’s pictures, to gods rather than focusing on the relationship with the true God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “So these nations feared the LORD…” : This means they began to respect God and feel afraid of Him. It wasn't just a casual feeling; they were genuinely worried about what might happen if they didn’t worship him properly. “…and served their graven images…” : This is the key part. "Graven images" refers to idols – figures made of wood, stone, or metal that people worshipped as powerful beings. These weren't just decorations; they were believed to have special powers and could influence events. They were essentially making false gods. “Both their children, and their children’s children…” : This emphasizes the widespread nature of this behavior. It wasn't just a small group of people who were doing this; it was affecting everyone . It shows that these practices spread throughout their society. “As did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” : This is the crucial part – it’s repeating the past. “Their fathers…did this” means that the behavior of worshiating idols has continued through generations. It highlights a pattern of idolatry that's persisted for a long time. What does it mean in terms of God’s perspective? This verse is a warning about the dangers of focusing on things other than God. It suggests that if people become too attached to idols, they will eventually turn away from their true faith and lose their way. It's a reminder that true worship comes from a relationship with God, not from anything else. In short: This verse describes a period of growing idolatry in Israel, where people started prioritizing false gods over worshipping the one true God. It’s a cautionary tale about the importance of staying focused on God and his will. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Give you some examples of how idolatry manifested in ancient Israel? Discuss the significance of this verse within the larger context of biblical history?