They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods, following the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.
This verse describes people who tried to worship God while also keeping their old religious practices, living with divided loyalty.
📚 Historical Context
This refers to the foreign peoples that the Assyrian king relocated to Israel after conquering the northern kingdom in 722 BC. These transplanted populations attempted to appease the God of the land (the LORD) while maintaining worship of their traditional deities. This mixed religious practice became characteristic of the Samaritans, creating a syncretistic faith that combined elements of true worship with pagan customs.
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