2 Kings 17:29

29 But each people that Assyria had settled went ahead anyway making its own gods and setting them up in the neighborhood sex-and-religion shrines that the citizens of Samaria had left behind - a local custom-made god for each people:

2 Kings 17:29 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 17:29

Howbeit, every nation made gods of their own
Served and worshipped those they brought with them, and which were the work of their own hands, even the nations, or those out of the nations, mentioned ( 2 Kings 17:24 ) these, notwithstanding the instructions they had about the worship of the God of Israel, retained and served their own deities: and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt; as the Israelites had built high places everywhere for idolatry, and put images in them, ( 2 Kings 17:9-11 ) these Heathens placed their gods there in the room of them, which were as follow.

2 Kings 17:29 In-Context

27 The king of Assyria ordered, "Send back some priests who were taken into exile from there. They can go back and live there and instruct the people in what the god of the land expects of them."
28 One of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came back and moved into Bethel. He taught them how to honor and worship God.
29 But each people that Assyria had settled went ahead anyway making its own gods and setting them up in the neighborhood sex-and-religion shrines that the citizens of Samaria had left behind - a local custom-made god for each people:
30 for Babylon, Succoth Benoth; for Cuthah, Nergal; for Hamath, Ashima;
31 for Avva, Nibhaz and Tartak; for Sepharvaim, Adrammelech and Anammelech (people burned their children in sacrificial offerings to these gods!).
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.