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

I. Scriptural Context and Citation

2 Kings 17 describes the aftermath of the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel. Many Israelites were taken captive, and foreign peoples were brought in to inhabit Samaria. After these new settlers experienced attacks by lions, they requested instruction in the worship of the God of the land. According to the Berean Standard Bible, 2 Kings 17:28 says:

“So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the LORD.”

This passage raises the question of historical credibility: Could a single Israelite priest effectively teach a population of foreigners the proper way to worship the Lord?

II. Background of the Northern Kingdom and Priesthood

1. Northern Kingdom’s Religious Landscape

During the reign of Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12), the northern kingdom set up alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan. This introduced problems of syncretism—mixing the LORD’s worship with pagan customs. Yet priests still functioned among Israel’s tribal communities, maintaining vital knowledge of the Law and traditional worship practices.

2. Priestly Responsibilities

Priests in ancient Israel (from the tribe of Levi or otherwise appointed under northern Israel’s system) were custodians of religious instruction (cf. Deuteronomy 33:10). Even if their official place of service was not in Jerusalem, they would still possess knowledge of the Mosaic Law, sacrificial procedures, and proper ceremonial worship. The concept of a priest teaching large groups is consistent with Scripture’s portrayal of priests as teachers and mediators between God and the people (Malachi 2:7).

III. Cultural Context of Teaching in the Ancient Near East

1. Oral Tradition and Memorization

In the ancient Near East, reliance on oral tradition was a central means of preserving laws, history, and religious practices. Scribes and priests often memorized extensive sections of the Law. The accessibility of Scripture-based instruction did not require wide distribution of written scrolls. One knowledgeable priest often provided instruction to many, especially in a concentrated geographic area like Bethel.

2. Presence of Scriptural Scrolls

While the northern kingdom sometimes strayed from the pure worship of the LORD, they still possessed written forms of the Law (though less centralized than in Jerusalem). A returning priest might have had at least partial scrolls or had the Law committed to memory.

3. The Practical Setting of Samaria

The biblical account specifies that the new residents, afflicted by lions, were desperate for guidance. This sense of urgency would make them particularly attentive. When the priest arrived, he would have had a ready congregation open to instruction in the proper means of worship, especially if they believed it would end the predatory lion attacks (2 Kings 17:25–26).

IV. Archaeological and Historical Considerations

1. Assyrian Resettlement Policy

Archaeological records and Akkadian inscriptions from the Neo-Assyrian Empire corroborate that the Assyrians routinely deported conquered peoples and resettled other groups into conquered lands. The biblical claim that foreigners were brought into Samaria aligns well with these established imperial practices. This historical consistency supports the backdrop for 2 Kings 17:28.

2. Priests Among Exiles

The existence of a single priest who had been exiled can be harmonized with documented deportation processes. A portion of the Israelite priestly class could have been taken temporarily but returned later at the behest of local authorities. Ancient Near Eastern records, such as those detailing the administration of the Babylonian and Assyrian empires, frequently mention the return or transfer of individuals with specialized skills (including religious functionaries).

3. Worship Centers at Bethel

Bethel was historically significant as a place of worship in the northern kingdom. Excavations at or near tell sites identified with Bethel have yielded evidence of continuous occupation, though direct artifacts referencing priestly activity during the 8th century BC are more circumstantial. Still, Bethel’s status as a cultic center in the northern kingdom documents an ideal location for reestablishing or teaching proper worship, even if some mixture with local customs occurred.

V. Manuscript Reliability and Literary Integrity

1. Consistency with Broader Biblical Narrative

The theme that priests are responsible to instruct the people (“taught them how they should fear the LORD,” 2 Kings 17:28) is repeated throughout the Old Testament (e.g., 2 Chronicles 17:9, Nehemiah 8:7–8). The textual transmission of 2 Kings is highly consistent in ancient manuscript witnesses (including the Masoretic Text and fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls), reinforcing the integrity of the record.

2. Absence of Contradiction in Parallel Accounts

No parallel biblical account contradicts the claim that one priest took on the task of teaching new settlers. While 2 Kings 17 shows that many of these inhabitants later continued in a mixed religion, the text affirms the possibility of initial instruction in the worship of the LORD.

3. Historical Credibility Affirmed by Preservation

Literary analysis suggests that if the detail in 2 Kings 17:28 were a later invention, it would need to reflect a known reality recognizable to Hebrew audiences. Because the role of a priest as a teacher was well established, ancient readers would have found this scenario coherent and credible.

VI. Viability of a Single Priest’s Instruction

1. Scope of “Effective Instruction”

The biblical text does not assert that this priest wholly converted every foreign inhabitant to undiluted worship of the LORD. Rather, it indicates he taught them how they “should” fear the LORD (2 Kings 17:28). Over time, these transplanted peoples (later known as Samaritans) developed syncretistic practices (2 Kings 17:29–33). Nonetheless, initial instruction by a single priest introducing basic worship forms was entirely feasible.

2. Cultural Prestige of Priests

Priests were typically held in high regard, granting them a measure of authority that could effectively impact communities. Even one individual with recognized spiritual expertise would stand out to those unfamiliar with Israel’s God, especially in a small or mid-size population cluster.

3. Practical Teaching Methods

Conveying foundational knowledge (e.g., belief in one God, moral laws, sacrificial ordinances) could have been done through repetitive oral instruction, symbolic actions, festivals, and daily communal practices. Ancient societies depended more heavily on direct teaching and demonstration than on written forms alone.

VII. Summary and Conclusion

The claim of 2 Kings 17:28 that a single Israelite priest could effectively instruct the new inhabitants of Samaria in the fear of the LORD rests on a consistent historical and cultural foundation. Assyrian resettlement policies, the high esteem in which priests were held, and the prevalence of oral teaching traditions make this scenario plausible. Scriptural manuscripts and archaeological data confirm the historical context of the passage, offering no contradictions to the account.

While the northern kingdom’s syncretistic environment ultimately produced a mixed form of worship, the biblical statement that one priest taught these new settlers the basics of God-honoring worship is historically credible. The text accurately portrays the role of a priest in ancient Israel, reflects known patterns of deportation and return under Assyrian governance, and aligns with broader scriptural teaching about priests as guardians and teachers of divine truth.