Overview
Nibhaz was an idol worshiped by the Avites, one of the nations forcibly relocated to Samaria by the Assyrian king following Israel's exile in 722 BC. The introduction of this foreign deity illustrates how spiritual compromise and the abandonment of God's Law opened the door to pagan corruption in the land.
Key Scriptures
"And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire as sacrifices to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim." (2 Kings 17:31, ESV)
"Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God." (2 Kings 17:18, NIV)
Application
Believers today must remain vigilant against subtle forms of idolatry and worldly compromise that subtly displace God from His rightful place of supremacy in our hearts and lives.