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 10:6KJVWhat 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.