Judges 2:13

KJV

And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they forsook {H5800} the LORD {H3068}, and served {H5647} Baal {H1168} and Ashtaroth {H6252}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They abandoned ADONAI and served Ba'al and the 'ashtarot.

Berean Standard Bible

for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.

American Standard Version

And they forsook Jehovah, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:13 encapsulates the tragic spiritual decline of Israel during the period of the Judges, revealing their deliberate abandonment of Yahweh, the covenant God who delivered them, in favor of serving the pagan deities Baal and Ashtaroth. This pivotal verse not only summarizes their profound apostasy but also establishes the theological foundation for the recurring cycles of divine judgment, oppression, and eventual deliverance that characterize the entire book, demonstrating the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:13 is a crucial verse within the theological prologue of the book of Judges (Judges 2:6-3:6), which explains the repeated cycles of apostasy and oppression that follow. Immediately preceding this verse, Judges 2:10 laments the rise of a generation "who knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel," setting the stage for their spiritual ignorance and subsequent disobedience. This verse then directly states the consequence of that ignorance: Israel's forsaking of Yahweh and turning to other gods. It serves as the explicit theological justification for the divine wrath and the subsequent cycle of servitude, supplication, and salvation that will dominate the narrative from [Judges 3:7](/judges/3-7 "Judges 3:7 - Israel served Baalim and the Asherahs") onwards, making it a foundational statement for understanding the entire book's purpose.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges unfold in the tumultuous centuries following Joshua's death and before the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. Despite God's clear commands to utterly dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants and destroy their altars (e.g., [Deuteronomy/7-2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Make no covenant with them")), Israel failed to fully obey. This incomplete conquest meant that Canaanite religious practices, deeply intertwined with their agrarian society, remained prevalent. Baal was the chief Canaanite storm and fertility god, believed to control rain and crops, while Ashtaroth (plural, Ashtaroth, referring to various manifestations of the goddess Astarte) was a prominent fertility, war, and love goddess, often depicted as Baal's consort. The appeal of these deities lay in their perceived ability to ensure agricultural prosperity, a vital concern for the Israelites, leading to a dangerous syncretism where Israel attempted to blend Yahweh worship with Canaanite cultic practices.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 2:13 powerfully highlights several core themes central to the book and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Apostasy and Idolatry**, where Israel's "forsaking the LORD" signifies a deliberate abandonment of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, a direct violation of the First Commandment (cf. [Exodus/20-3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No other gods before me")). This act of spiritual unfaithfulness is immediately followed by the active "serving" of pagan deities, demonstrating how quickly a vacuum of true worship is filled by false gods. This verse also introduces the theme of **Covenant Unfaithfulness**, showing Israel's failure to uphold their end of the covenant established at Sinai, which promised blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience (cf. [Deuteronomy/28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Finally, it foreshadows the theme of **Divine Discipline**, as God's allowing foreign oppression (e.g., [Judges/3-8](/judges/3-8 "Judges 3:8 - God sells Israel to Cushan-Rishathaim")) is a direct consequence of their idolatry, intended to drive them back to repentance and exclusive devotion to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forsook (Hebrew, _`ʕāzaḇ`_):** This verb signifies a deliberate act of abandonment, neglect, or rejection. It implies a conscious turning away from a previously established relationship or allegiance. In the context of the covenant, it denotes Israel's active renunciation of their commitment to Yahweh, not merely a passive drifting away, but a decisive breach of their sacred bond with the God who had delivered them from Egypt and given them the land.
* **served (Hebrew, _`ʕāḇaḏ`_):** This word means to work for, to worship, or to be a slave to. Its use here indicates that Israel's abandonment of Yahweh was immediately followed by active, devoted submission to other gods. It highlights a transfer of allegiance, where the service and worship due to Yahweh alone were now being rendered to pagan deities, demonstrating a complete shift in their spiritual master.
* **Baal (Hebrew, _`ba‘al`_):** Meaning "lord" or "master," Baal was the chief male deity of the Canaanite pantheon, worshipped as the god of storms, rain, and fertility. His cult was pervasive throughout Canaan, and his worship often involved sensuous rituals, cultic prostitution, and sometimes even child sacrifice, all anathema to Yahweh's commands.
* **Ashtaroth (Hebrew, _`‘aštārôṯ`_):** This is the plural form of Ashtoreth (or Astarte), the principal female Canaanite deity, a goddess of fertility, war, and sexual love, often depicted as Baal's consort or counterpart. The use of the plural suggests that Israel worshipped various manifestations, images, or local cults associated with this goddess, indicating a widespread adoption of the entire Canaanite religious system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they forsook the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the root problem: Israel's deliberate and active abandonment of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. It emphasizes their conscious choice to turn away from the one true God who had faithfully acted on their behalf, highlighting a profound breach of loyalty and trust.
* **"and served Baal":** This phrase specifies the primary male deity to whom Israel transferred their allegiance. Their "service" to Baal indicates a full embrace of Canaanite religious practices, particularly those associated with agricultural fertility, demonstrating a reliance on a false god for provision rather than on Yahweh.
* **"and Ashtaroth":** The addition of Ashtaroth, the primary female Canaanite deity, completes the picture of Israel's comprehensive adoption of the pagan pantheon. This signifies not just a partial lapse but a wholesale turning to the gods of the surrounding nations, including their associated immoral and idolatrous rituals, in direct defiance of God's commands.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Juxtaposition** by sharply contrasting Israel's abandonment of "the LORD" with their active "serving Baal and Ashtaroth." This stark opposition highlights the severity of their apostasy and the direct violation of the covenant. Furthermore, the naming of "Baal and Ashtaroth" functions as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where these two prominent deities stand in for the entire Canaanite pantheon and the broader system of pagan idolatry that Israel embraced. This concise naming powerfully encapsulates the full extent of their spiritual compromise. The verse also serves as a crucial piece of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the recurring cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance that will define the narrative of the entire book of Judges, establishing the theological framework for understanding Israel's turbulent history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:13 is a profound theological statement on the nature of idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. It reveals that forsaking God is not merely a passive act of neglect but an active turning to other masters, a spiritual adultery that provokes divine jealousy. Israel's sin was not just a failure to obey but a betrayal of the unique relationship they had with Yahweh, the God who had chosen them, redeemed them, and sustained them. This act of serving Baal and Ashtaroth, deities associated with fertility and prosperity, demonstrates a deep-seated human tendency to seek security and provision from created things or false gods rather than from the Creator. This spiritual compromise inevitably leads to a breakdown of societal order and invites divine judgment, illustrating that true freedom and blessing are found only in exclusive devotion to the Lord.

* [Deuteronomy 6:14](/deuteronomy/6-14 "Deuteronomy 6:14 - Do not follow other gods")
* [1 Kings 11:4](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's heart turned to other gods")
* [Psalm 106:36-39](/psalms/106-36 "Psalm 106:36-39 - Israel served idols and sacrificed children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:13 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations, including believers today. While we may not erect physical altars to Baal or Ashtaroth, the human heart remains prone to idolatry. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—be it career success, financial security, personal comfort, social approval, technological distraction, or even self-worship—can become a modern idol, subtly drawing our allegiance away from the Lord. This verse calls us to profound introspection, urging us to examine our priorities and affections. It reminds us that true worship demands an undivided heart, a continuous remembering of God's faithfulness, and a vigilant guarding against the subtle allure of anything that promises fulfillment apart from Him. The consequences of spiritual compromise, though perhaps not as immediately dramatic as ancient Israel's, are no less real, leading to spiritual barrenness, brokenness, and a loss of divine blessing. Our freedom and flourishing are inextricably linked to our unwavering devotion to the one true God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Baals" or "Ashtaroths" might subtly compete for my devotion in today's world, promising security, identity, or fulfillment apart from God?**
* **How can I actively remember God's past faithfulness and His mighty works in my life to prevent spiritual complacency and strengthen my resolve to serve Him alone?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "forsake the LORD" by prioritizing something else above His will or His commands?**

### FAQ
**Question?** Why did Israel keep turning to idolatry despite God's clear warnings and repeated acts of deliverance?

Answer: Israel's persistent turn to idolatry stemmed from several factors. Firstly, their incomplete obedience in dispossessing the Canaanites meant they lived among pagan peoples, leading to cultural assimilation and exposure to their religious practices. Secondly, the generation described in [Judges 2:10](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - A generation who knew not the Lord") suffered from spiritual amnesia, failing to remember or teach their children about Yahweh's mighty acts of salvation, such as the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan. The agrarian society of Israel found the fertility cults of Baal and Ashtaroth appealing, as these deities were believed to control the rain and crops essential for survival, offering a tangible, immediate "solution" to their needs, unlike the invisible, ethical demands of Yahweh. Finally, there is a deep-seated human tendency towards self-reliance and the worship of visible, controllable gods, rather than submitting to the sovereign, transcendent God who demands exclusive allegiance and ethical living.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:13, in its stark portrayal of Israel's idolatry, powerfully underscores humanity's inherent struggle with spiritual unfaithfulness and our desperate need for a perfect deliverer. Israel's repeated forsaking of Yahweh and serving of Baal and Ashtaroth highlights the futility of human efforts to achieve righteousness or secure blessing apart from God. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ emerges as the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises and the solution to humanity's persistent idolatry. He is the true "Lord" (Baal means lord) who demands and deserves exclusive allegiance, not through coercive power but through sacrificial love. Where Israel failed to keep the covenant, Jesus perfectly fulfilled it, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, thereby cleansing us from the idolatry of the heart (cf. [Colossians/3-5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.")). He breaks the cycle of sin and judgment that plagued Israel, establishing a new covenant in His blood (cf. [Hebrews/8-6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, the mediator of a better covenant")) that empowers believers to truly serve God alone, freeing them from the dominion of false gods and worldly masters (cf. [Matthew/6-24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters")). Through Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, enabling us to walk in faithfulness and experience the true spiritual fertility and abundant life that Israel sought in vain through pagan deities. He is the faithful King, unlike the failed judges, who permanently delivers His people from the bondage of sin and idolatry.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Judges 3:7

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

Psalms 106:36

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

1 Kings 11:33

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.

1 Kings 11:5

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

2 Kings 23:13

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 Corinthians 10:20

But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.