2 Kings 17:30
2 Kings 17:30 in Multiple Translations
The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,
And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
Those from Babylon made Sukkoth Benoth, those from Kuthah made Nergal, and those from Hamath made Ashima.
For the men of Babel made Succoth-Benoth: and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
And the men of Babylon have made Succoth-Benoth, and the men of Cuth have made Nergal, and the men of Hamath have made Ashima,
The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
For the men of Babylon made Sochothbenoth: and the Cuthites made Nergel: and the men of Emath made Asima.
The people from Babylon made idols to represent their god Succoth-Benoth. The people from Cuthah made idols to represent their god Nergal. The people from Hamath made idols to represent their god Ashima.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 17:30
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 17:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַנְשֵׁ֣י
בָבֶ֗ל
עָשׂוּ֙
אֶת
סֻכּ֣וֹת
בְּנ֔וֹת
וְ/אַנְשֵׁי
כ֔וּת
עָשׂ֖וּ
אֶת
נֵֽרְגַ֑ל
וְ/אַנְשֵׁ֥י
חֲמָ֖ת
עָשׂ֥וּ
אֶת
אֲשִׁימָֽא
וְ/אַנְשֵׁ֣י
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp
בָבֶ֗ל
Bâbel
H894
Babylon
N-proper
עָשׂוּ֙
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
סֻכּ֣וֹת
Çukkôwth bᵉnôwth
H5524
Succoth-benoth
N-proper
בְּנ֔וֹת
Çukkôwth bᵉnôwth
H5524
Succoth-benoth
N-proper
וְ/אַנְשֵׁי
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp
כ֔וּת
Kûwth
H3575
Cuthah
N-proper
עָשׂ֖וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
נֵֽרְגַ֑ל
Nêrᵉgal
H5370
Nergal
N-proper
וְ/אַנְשֵׁ֥י
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp
חֲמָ֖ת
Chămâth
H2574
Hamath
N-proper
עָשׂ֥וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֲשִׁימָֽא
ʼAshîymâʼ
H807
Ashima
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 17:30
וְ/אַנְשֵׁ֣י
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
בָבֶ֗ל
Bâbel
H894
"Babylon"
N-proper
Babel refers to Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It appears in Genesis 11:9 and is associated with the tower of Babel. The city was situated on the Euphrates River.
Definition: § Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)" Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates
Usage: Occurs in 233 OT verses. KJV: Babel, Babylon. See also: Genesis 10:10; Jeremiah 29:22; Psalms 87:4.
עָשׂוּ֙
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
סֻכּ֣וֹת
Çukkôwth bᵉnôwth
H5524
"Succoth-benoth"
N-proper
Succoth-benoth refers to idolatrous tents for impure purposes, possibly a Babylonian deity worshipped in Samaria.
Definition: § Succoth-benoth = "the daughter's booth" Assyrian or Babylonian deity worshipped by the Babylonians in Samaria
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Succothbenoth. See also: 2 Kings 17:30.
בְּנ֔וֹת
Çukkôwth bᵉnôwth
H5524
"Succoth-benoth"
N-proper
Succoth-benoth refers to idolatrous tents for impure purposes, possibly a Babylonian deity worshipped in Samaria.
Definition: § Succoth-benoth = "the daughter's booth" Assyrian or Babylonian deity worshipped by the Babylonians in Samaria
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Succothbenoth. See also: 2 Kings 17:30.
וְ/אַנְשֵׁי
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
כ֔וּת
Kûwth
H3575
"Cuthah"
N-proper
Cuthah was a province in Assyria, about 20 miles northeast of Babylon, known for being a place where king Sargon imported colonists from. It is mentioned in the Bible as a location associated with the Assyrian empire.
Definition: § Cuth = "crushing" a place from which king Sargon of Assyria imported colonists into Israel; probably a location approx 20 (32 km) miles northeast of Babylon
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Cuth. See also: 2 Kings 17:24; 2 Kings 17:30.
עָשׂ֖וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נֵֽרְגַ֑ל
Nêrᵉgal
H5370
"Nergal"
N-proper
Nergal was a major deity in Assyria and Babylon, meaning hero. The men of Cuth worshipped him.
Definition: § Nergal = "hero" one of the chief deities of Assyria and Babylon and worshipped by the men of Cuth
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Nergal. See also: 2 Kings 17:30.
וְ/אַנְשֵׁ֥י
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
חֲמָ֖ת
Chămâth
H2574
"Hamath"
N-proper
Hamath is an ancient city in Syria, mentioned in 2 Kings as a key location. It was a major city in the region, known for its fortress.
Definition: § Hamath = "fortress" the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: Hamath, Hemath. See also: Numbers 13:21; 1 Chronicles 18:9; Isaiah 10:9.
עָשׂ֥וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֲשִׁימָֽא
ʼAshîymâʼ
H807
"Ashima"
N-proper
Ashima is a deity worshipped in Hamath, a city conquered by King Jeroboam II of Israel, as mentioned in 2 Kings 17:30. This idol is associated with guilt and desolation, contrasting with the one true God of the Bible.
Definition: § Ashima = "guiltiness: I will make desolate" a god of Hamath
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Ashima. See also: 2 Kings 17:30.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 17:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 17:30 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 17:30
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 17:30
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 17:30
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 17:30
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
Context — Samaria Resettled
28Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD.
29Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places.
30The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima,
31the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. 32So the new residents worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed for themselves priests of all sorts to serve in the shrines of the high places.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 17:24 | Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. |
2 Kings 17:30 Summary
[This verse tells us that the people of Babylon, Cuth, and Hamath made their own gods, which is a form of idolatry, as warned against in Exodus 20:3-5. This shows us that the human heart is prone to creating its own gods and idols, rather than worshiping the one true God. As believers, we must be careful not to create our own idols or compromise our faith by mixing it with worldly practices, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. By worshiping the one true God, we can avoid the dangers of idolatry and syncretism, and instead, experience the joy and freedom of following Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase 'Succoth-benoth' mean in 2 Kings 17:30?
The phrase 'Succoth-benoth' is believed to refer to a Babylonian goddess, possibly related to the goddess Ishtar, and is an example of the idolatrous practices of the people in this verse, as warned against in Deuteronomy 12:3 and Jeremiah 10:11.
Why did the men of Babylon and other nations make their own gods in the cities where they settled?
The men of Babylon and other nations made their own gods because they wanted to hold on to their cultural and religious practices, despite being in a new land, as seen in 2 Kings 17:29, and this is a reflection of the human heart's tendency to create idols, as discussed in Romans 1:25.
What can we learn from the fact that the men of Babylon, Cuth, and Hamath made their own gods?
We can learn that the human heart is prone to idolatry and that we must be careful not to create our own gods or idols, as warned against in Exodus 20:3-5 and Isaiah 44:9-20.
How does this verse relate to the concept of syncretism, where different cultures and religions blend together?
This verse is an example of syncretism, where the people of different nations brought their own gods and practices to the land of Samaria, and this blending of cultures and religions is a warning to us today, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, to be careful not to compromise our faith by mixing it with worldly practices.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day idols that we may be tempted to create or worship, and how can we guard against them?
- How can we, like the Israelites, be tempted to blend our faith with worldly practices, and what are the dangers of doing so?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of worshiping the one true God, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:13-15?
- In what ways can we, as believers, be a witness to the truth of God's Word in a world that is prone to idolatry and syncretism?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 17:30
And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth,.... That is, those that came from Babylon made and served an idol of this name, which, according to the Jewish writers (u), were the figures of an hen and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 17:30
And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, Succoth-benoth.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
2 Kings 17:30 And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,Ver. 30. Succothbenoth.] This idol was made in the form of a hen hurking her chickens. Most of these names of heathenish deities are Syriac and Chaldee. Nergol significth a woodcock, or a rooster (roostcock); Asima, a goat or wolf; Nibhaz, a dog; Tartak, an ass. Adrammelech and Anammelech were idols made in the shape of a horse and a mule. See here Romans 1:23 verified, and bless God who hath taught us better. Gildas saith that our forefathers were gross idolaters, and that their gods were portenta diabolica, poene numero Aegyptiaca vincentia, devilish fray-bugs (bogies), as many in number almost as those of Egypt.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
(30) Succoth-benoth.—The Hebrew spelling of this name has probably suffered in transmission. The Babylonian goddess Zirbânit or Zarpanitum (“seed-maker”) the consort of Merodach, appears to be meant. Nergal.—The name of the god represented by the colossal lions which guarded the doorways of Assyrian palaces. These colossi were called nirgali; and a syllabary informs us that Nergal was the god of Kutha. Ashima.—Nothing is known of this idol. Schrader (in Riehm) pronounces against identification with the Phœnician Esm̂ ?un. Lane’s lexicon gives an Arabic word, ‘usâmatu, or ’al’-usâmatu, “the lion,” which may be cognate with Ashima.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
Verse 30. The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth] This, literally, signifies the tabernacles of the daughters or young women, and most evidently refers to those public prostitutions of young virgins at the temple of Melitta or Venus among the Babylonians. See at the end of the chapter. 2Kg 17:31. From benoth it is probable that the word Venus came, the B being changed into V, as is frequently the case, and the th into s, benoth, Venos. The rabbins say that her emblem was a hen with her chickens; see Jarchi on the place. The men of Cuth made Nergal] This is supposed to have been the solar orb or light. According to the rabbins, his emblem was a cock. See at the end of the chapter. 2Kg 17:31. The men of Hamath made Ashima] Perhaps the fire; from asham, to make atonement or to purify. Jarchi says this was in the form of a goat.
See below. 2Kg 17:41.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 17:30
30. Succoth-benoth] This name of the deity of the Babylonians is probably (according to Rawlinson Herod. bk. i. p. 630) meant to represent the Chaldæan goddess Zir-banit, the wife of Merodach (i.e. Bel) who was specially worshipped in Babylon. Nergal] The Assyrian or Babylonian god who answers to the classic Mars, the god of war. It is an argument for Cuthah being the place near Babylon between the Euphrates and the Tigris (see note on verse 24) that the city which stood there is found to have been specially devoted to Nergal, whose image we are here told was set up in Samaria by the men of Cuth. Ashima] Jewish tradition explains this name as signifying a short-haired goat. Hence it has been thought that the divinity so called was a sort of oriental Pan, a god of shepherds and of the woods. But others think that in the name there is a trace of the Phœnician god Esmûn, who answers to Æsculapius, the deity that presided over medicine.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 17:30
Succoth-benoth probably represents a Babylonian goddess called Zir-banit, the wife of Merodach. She and her husband were, next to Bel and Beltis, the favorite divinities of the Babylonians.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:30
30. Succoth-benoth — These words mean, in Hebrew, tents of daughters; and most expositors explain them of the tents in which the Babylonian women prostituted themselves in honour of Mylitta, the Assyrian Venus. — Herodotus.