Judges 2:11 (KJV)

What does Judges 2:11 mean?

Judges 2:11 describes how the Israelites began to do what was wrong in the eyes of the LORD by worshiping other gods, specifically the Baalim. This verse marks a turning point where the people turned away from their commitment to the LORD and started following the religious practices of the surrounding nations.

The book of Judges records a cycle where the Israelites repeatedly abandon their faithfulness to the LORD (the God of Israel) after settling in the land. Here, the narrator explains that the people served "Baalim," a plural form referring to various local gods called Baal. This sets the stage for the troubles and oppression that will follow in the story.

The Hebrew behind Judges 2:11

• בָּעֳלִים (Baalim, transliteration: ba‘ălîm): This is the plural form of "Baal," a title meaning "lord" or "master," used for several Canaanite gods. The use of the plural shows that the Israelites were not just worshiping one foreign god, but many different local deities.
• רַע (ra‘, transliteration: ra‘): This word is translated as "evil" and often means something morally wrong or harmful. In the context of Judges, it points to actions that break the covenant with the LORD, especially idolatry.
• עֵינֵי (ʿênê, transliteration: ‘ênê): This means "eyes," and the phrase "in the sight of the LORD" highlights that the LORD is watching and judging their actions, even if the people themselves do not see it as wrong.

Why Judges 2:11 matters

• Judges 2:11 clarifies that the main issue was not just general wrongdoing, but specifically the worship of other gods, which was a direct violation of Israel's covenant with the LORD.
• The verse introduces the recurring pattern in Judges: Israel's unfaithfulness leads to trouble, which sets up the need for deliverance by a judge.
• Understanding that "Baalim" refers to multiple local gods helps explain the widespread nature of the problem and why it was so serious in the context of Israel's unique relationship with the LORD.