Judges 10:6

¶ 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.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did {H6213} evil {H7451} again {H3254} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and served {H5647} Baalim {H1168}, and Ashtaroth {H6252}, and the gods {H430} of Syria {H758}, and the gods {H430} of Zidon {H6721}, and the gods {H430} of Moab {H4124}, and the gods {H430} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, and the gods {H430} of the Philistines {H6430}, and forsook {H5800} the LORD {H3068}, and served {H5647} not him.

Again the people of Isra'el did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective - they served the ba'alim, the 'ashtarot, the gods of Aram, the gods of Tzidon, the gods of Mo'av, the gods of the people of 'Amon and the gods of the P'lishtim. They abandoned ADONAI and did not serve him;

And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him.

And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and served the Baalim, and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook Jehovah, and served him not.

Commentary

Judges 10:6 marks a significant low point in the spiritual history of Israel during the period of the Judges, illustrating their deep and widespread apostasy. This verse succinctly describes how the children of Israel once again turned away from the LORD, embracing the worship of numerous pagan deities from surrounding nations.

Context

This verse falls within the tumultuous period described in the Book of Judges, characterized by a recurring cycle of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation. After periods of peace and deliverance under various judges, Israel would inevitably "do evil again in the sight of the LORD." Judges 10:6 specifically follows the leadership of Tola and Jair, indicating that even after periods of relative stability, the nation quickly reverted to spiritual unfaithfulness. Their departure from the LORD was not a one-time event but a persistent pattern of rebellion against the covenant God who had delivered them from Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land.

Key Themes

  • Repeated Apostasy and Idolatry: The phrase "did evil again" underscores the cyclical nature of Israel's disobedience. This was not an isolated incident but a deep-seated spiritual problem. They repeatedly forsook the covenant relationship with Yahweh.
  • Widespread Polytheism: The verse lists an extensive array of foreign gods served by Israel:
    • Baalim: Plural of Baal, referring to various local Canaanite storm and fertility gods. Worship often involved ritual prostitution and child sacrifice.
    • Ashtaroth: Plural of Ashtoreth, the primary Canaanite goddess of fertility, war, and sexual love, often associated with Baal.
    • Gods of Syria (Aram): Likely Hadad or Resheph.
    • Gods of Zidon (Sidon): Possibly Baal of Tyre or Melqart.
    • Gods of Moab: Primarily Chemosh, known for demanding child sacrifices.
    • Gods of the Children of Ammon: Chiefly Molech (or Milcom), also associated with child sacrifice.
    • Gods of the Philistines: Dagon (a grain/fish god) and Baal-zebub.
    This comprehensive list highlights the profound spiritual compromise and syncretism that permeated Israelite society, demonstrating a complete disregard for the first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
  • Forsaking the LORD: The core issue was Israel's deliberate choice to abandon the one true God who had chosen them, redeemed them, and sustained them. This spiritual unfaithfulness led to their distress and subsequent cries for deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

The terms Baalim and Ashtaroth are significant. Baalim is the plural form of Baal (Strong's H1168), meaning "master" or "owner." It refers to the many local manifestations of the chief Canaanite deity. Ashtaroth is the plural of Ashtoreth (Strong's H6252), the prominent Canaanite goddess of fertility and war. The use of the plural forms emphasizes the multitude of pagan deities Israel embraced, moving far beyond simple neglect to active, diverse idolatry.

Significance and Application

Judges 10:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of spiritual compromise and divided loyalties. For ancient Israel, their unfaithfulness led to divine judgment and oppression by the very nations whose gods they served. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of exclusive devotion to God, as commanded in the New Testament to worship the Lord God and serve Him only. It challenges us to examine our own lives for any "foreign gods"—whether they be materialism, power, pleasure, or anything that takes precedence over our relationship with Christ. True spiritual freedom comes from wholehearted commitment to the LORD, recognizing that He alone is worthy of our worship and trust, and that we must keep ourselves from idols.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 11:5 (4 votes)

    For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

  • 2 Kings 23:13 (4 votes)

    And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

  • 1 Kings 11:7 (4 votes)

    Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

  • 1 Kings 11:33 (4 votes)

    Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do [that which is] right in mine eyes, and [to keep] my statutes and my judgments, as [did] David his father.

  • Jeremiah 2:13 (3 votes)

    For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

  • Psalms 106:36 (3 votes)

    And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

  • 2 Kings 17:16 (3 votes)

    And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, [even] two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.