And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

JUDGES 10:6KJV
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Judges 10:6 (KJV)

What does Judges 10:6 mean?

Judges 10:6 describes how the people of Israel once again turned away from the LORD and began worshipping a wide range of foreign gods, abandoning their exclusive devotion to the LORD. The verse lists several groups of gods from neighboring nations that Israel served, making clear the extent of their unfaithfulness.

In the setting of Judges, this verse is a summary statement showing a repeated pattern: after a time of peace, the Israelites fall back into idol worship. The writer is describing the nation’s spiritual decline, not the words of a particular speaker. The mention of specific gods from Syria, Zidon, Moab, Ammon, and the Philistines highlights how thoroughly Israel adopted the religious practices of the surrounding peoples.

The Hebrew behind Judges 10:6

  • בַּעֲלִים (Baalim): This is the plural of "Baal," referring to various local gods of fertility and storms worshipped in Canaan. The use of the plural shows that Israel was not just worshipping one foreign god, but many.
  • עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (Ashtaroth): This word refers to goddesses associated with fertility and war, often linked to the goddess Astarte. Including both Baalim and Ashtaroth shows Israel’s attraction to both male and female deities of the region.
  • עָזַב (azav, "forsook"): This verb means to abandon or leave behind. The verse emphasizes that Israel did not just add other gods but actively left the LORD behind.
  • עָבַד (avad, "served"): This word means to serve or worship, carrying the sense of devoted service. The repetition of this verb for both the LORD and the foreign gods underlines the seriousness of Israel’s choice.

Why Judges 10:6 matters

  • Judges 10:6 makes clear that Israel’s unfaithfulness was not a small slip but a widespread turning to many different foreign gods, showing the depth of their spiritual crisis.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the consequences that follow in the story, as Israel’s abandonment of the LORD leads to oppression and suffering.
  • By listing the gods of several nations, the verse highlights how Israel was influenced by all its neighbors, not just one, showing the pressure and temptation of the surrounding culture.

Where else these words appear

“Ashtaroth” Hebrew H6252 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:
  • Joshua 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.
  • 1 Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

“Zidon” Hebrew H6721 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • 2 Samuel 24:6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
  • Jeremiah 27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;

“Baalim” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 22:53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

“Ammon” Hebrew H5983 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 19:38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
  • Judges 12:1 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:11 And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.