Judges 3:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and forgat {H7911} the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, and served {H5647} Baalim {H1168} and the groves {H842}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus the people of Isra'el did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, forgot ADONAI their God, and served the ba'alim and asherim.

Berean Standard Bible

So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and forgat Jehovah their God, and served the Baalim and the Asheroth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:7 serves as a foundational verse, succinctly encapsulating the spiritual decline of the Israelites at the dawn of the Judges period. It details their deliberate turning away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh, their God, leading to a profound spiritual amnesia that manifested in the adoption of the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations, specifically the worship of Baalim and Asherah. This act of apostasy directly precipitates the cycles of oppression and divine deliverance that characterize the turbulent era chronicled in the Book of Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:7 marks a critical turning point in the narrative of the Book of Judges. Following the death of Joshua and the elders who had witnessed God's mighty acts ([Judges 2:7](/judges/2-7 "Judges 2:7 - A Generation That Knew Not the Lord")), a new generation arises that "did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel" ([Judges 2:10](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - A New Generation")). The preceding verses in Judges 2 and 3 establish God's judgment upon Israel for their failure to fully dispossess the Canaanites, leaving "nations to test Israel by them" ([Judges 3:4](/judges/3-4 "Judges 3:4 - Nations Left to Test Israel")). This verse, therefore, initiates the first explicit cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance, setting the pattern for the subsequent narratives of the judges. It highlights the direct consequence of Israel's covenant infidelity and their assimilation into the pagan cultures they were commanded to eradicate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1400-1050 BC) was a transitional time for Israel, moving from a nomadic confederacy to a settled agricultural society. They were surrounded by indigenous Canaanite peoples whose religious practices were deeply intertwined with agricultural fertility. The primary deities were Baal (a storm and fertility god, often depicted as a bull or with lightning) and Asherah (a mother goddess, consort of El or Baal, associated with fertility and often worshipped through wooden poles or sacred trees). Canaanite worship often involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and ecstatic rites, which were abhorrent to Yahweh and directly violated the Mosaic Law. The Israelites, struggling with the challenges of settled life and influenced by the dominant cultural norms, found the allure of these fertility cults, promising abundant harvests and offspring, difficult to resist, leading to syncretism and outright apostasy.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:7 introduces several pervasive themes that resonate throughout the Book of Judges and the broader Old Testament narrative. **Apostasy and Disobedience** are central, as Israel's actions are explicitly labeled "evil in the sight of the LORD," signifying a deliberate rebellion against their covenant God. This is intricately linked with **Spiritual Forgetfulness**, where "forgat the LORD their God" implies a profound neglect and abandonment of God's past faithfulness, His deliverance from Egypt ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover")), and His covenant promises at Sinai ([Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai")). This spiritual amnesia inevitably leads to **Idolatry**, the serving of "Baalim and the groves," which is the ultimate violation of the First Commandment ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me")) and the Second Commandment ([Exodus 20:4-6](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4-6 - No Idols")). The verse thus sets the stage for the recurring **Cycle of Sin, Judgment, Repentance, and Deliverance** that defines the entire book, demonstrating God's justice in judgment and His faithfulness in raising deliverers despite Israel's repeated failures.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **evil (Hebrew, _ra'_):** This term signifies not merely a mistake or misfortune, but a moral and ethical wrong, an act of rebellion against God's established order and covenant. In the context of the LORD's "sight," it emphasizes that Israel's actions were a direct affront to God's character and His holy standards. It implies a deliberate turning away from righteousness and a violation of the covenant relationship.
* **forgat (Hebrew, _shakach'_):** More than a simple lapse of memory, _shakach_ here denotes a profound neglect, abandonment, or disregard. It implies that Israel actively chose to ignore God's past acts of deliverance, His commands, and His very presence. This spiritual amnesia was not passive but an active rejection of their identity as God's chosen people, leading directly to their embrace of foreign gods.
* **Baalim (Hebrew, _Bə‘ālîm_) and the groves (Hebrew, _’Ăšērîm_):** "Baalim" is the plural of Baal, meaning "lord" or "master," indicating the worship of various local manifestations of the Canaanite storm and fertility god. "The groves" refers to the Asherim, which were cultic poles or sacred trees associated with Asherah, the Canaanite mother goddess of fertility. These terms represent the full embrace of Canaanite polytheism and its associated immoral and idolatrous practices, which stood in direct opposition to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine perspective on Israel's actions. Their conduct was not merely socially unacceptable but fundamentally offensive to God, a direct violation of the covenant they had made with Him. It underscores the moral and spiritual gravity of their choices, positioning God as the ultimate judge and standard of righteousness.
* **"and forgat the LORD their God":** This phrase explains the underlying spiritual condition that led to their "evil." It's not just a failure to recall facts, but a profound neglect of their relationship with Yahweh, who had delivered them from slavery and established them as His unique people. This "forgetting" implies a disregard for His commandments, His past faithfulness, and His very identity as their sovereign God, paving the way for spiritual infidelity.
* **"and served Baalim and the groves":** This final clause specifies the concrete manifestation of their spiritual amnesia and evil: the adoption of idolatry. "Served" (Hebrew: `עָבַד`, _‘āḇaḏ_) implies active worship, devotion, and submission. By turning to Baalim and the Asherim, Israel directly violated the foundational tenets of the Mosaic covenant, exchanging the glory of the one true God for the false promises of pagan deities, thereby inviting divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:7 employs several powerful literary devices. **Repetition** is a key structural element in Judges, and this verse initiates the first explicit instance of the recurring cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance that will characterize the entire book. This repetition serves to emphasize Israel's persistent disobedience and God's consistent response. **Symbolism** is also prominent, with "Baalim and the groves" serving as potent symbols of spiritual adultery and the allure of worldly systems that draw people away from God. Their worship represents the antithesis of covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, the phrase "forgat the LORD their God" utilizes **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "forgetting" stands in for a deeper spiritual state of neglect, abandonment, and active rebellion against God's commands and covenant relationship. This highlights the profound internal spiritual decay that led to outward idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:7 is a microcosm of a recurring theological pattern throughout biblical history: humanity's propensity for idolatry and spiritual forgetfulness, and God's unwavering response of both judgment and redemptive grace. It underscores the critical importance of remembering God's past faithfulness and adhering to His covenant. The verse highlights the foundational truth that true worship is exclusive and demands absolute loyalty, as any deviation leads to spiritual decay and societal breakdown. It sets the stage for understanding the need for divine intervention, demonstrating that Israel's failures were not merely political or military but deeply spiritual, rooted in their relationship with God. This spiritual infidelity inevitably led to a loss of divine protection and the subsequent oppression they experienced.

* [Deuteronomy 6:10-15](/deuteronomy/6-10 "Deuteronomy 6:10-15 - Warning Against Forgetting God")
* [Psalm 106:34-40](/psalm/106-34 "Psalm 106:34-40 - Israel's Idolatry and Consequences")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21-23 - The Exchange of God's Glory for Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:7 serves as a timeless cautionary tale for believers across all generations. The Israelites' "forgetting" of God is a profound warning against spiritual complacency and the insidious nature of drifting away from our relationship with the Creator. In our contemporary world, while literal idols of Baal and Asherah may not stand in our homes, the principle of idolatry remains acutely relevant. Anything that consumes our ultimate devotion, loyalty, and trust—whether it be career success, financial security, material possessions, social media validation, comfort, or even self-reliance and intellectual pride—can become a modern "Baal" or "grove." This verse calls us to a vigilant self-examination, urging us to constantly assess where our deepest affections and allegiances lie. It compels us to actively remember God's past faithfulness in our lives, to guard against the subtle encroachments of worldly values, and to intentionally cultivate a vibrant, exclusive relationship with Him through His Word, prayer, and community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "forgetting the LORD my God" in my daily life, even subtly?**
* **What are the "Baalim and groves" in my modern context that compete for my ultimate devotion and loyalty to God?**
* **How can I more intentionally remember God's past faithfulness and actively guard against spiritual complacency?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my worship and service are exclusively directed towards the LORD?**

### FAQ
**What does "did evil in the sight of the LORD" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In the biblical context, "doing evil in the sight of the LORD" signifies a profound moral and spiritual offense against God's character and His covenant. It's not merely a human judgment of wrongdoing, but a divine assessment that Israel's actions were a direct affront to God's holiness and His established laws. For Israel, this meant violating the covenant they had willingly entered into at Mount Sinai, particularly the commands against idolatry and for exclusive worship of Yahweh ([Exodus 20:3-6](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-6 - The First and Second Commandments")). It implies a deliberate choice to rebel against God's authority and to deviate from the path of righteousness He had set for them. This phrase often precedes divine judgment in the Old Testament, indicating that God's justice is about to be enacted.

**How is "forgat the LORD their God" more than just a lapse in memory?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "forgat" (_shakach_) in this context means much more than simply failing to recall information. It implies a deliberate neglect, abandonment, or disregard of God's person, His past acts of deliverance, and His covenant. It suggests a profound spiritual amnesia where Israel actively chose to ignore God's faithfulness (e.g., the Exodus from Egypt, [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover")), His commands, and His very identity as their unique God. This "forgetting" was an active turning away from their covenant relationship, leading to a breakdown in their spiritual and moral life, and ultimately, to their embrace of idolatry. It's a failure of the heart and will, not just the mind.

**Why was serving "Baalim and the groves" such a serious sin for Israel?**

Answer: Serving "Baalim and the groves" (Asherim) was an extremely serious sin for Israel because it represented a direct and egregious violation of the core tenets of their covenant with Yahweh. Yahweh had revealed Himself as the one true God, demanding exclusive worship. The First Commandment explicitly states, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). By worshipping Baal (a Canaanite storm and fertility god) and Asherah (a fertility goddess, often worshipped through sacred poles), Israel was engaging in syncretism and outright idolatry. This was not just a religious error; it was spiritual adultery, a betrayal of their divine Husband ([Jeremiah 3:8-9](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8-9 - Israel's Adultery")). Furthermore, Canaanite worship often involved immoral practices like ritual prostitution and even child sacrifice, which were abhorrent to God and corrupted Israel's moral fabric. This act of idolatry broke the covenant and severed the unique relationship between God and His chosen people, leading to His judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 3:7, with its stark depiction of Israel's spiritual forgetfulness and idolatry, powerfully foreshadows the universal human condition and points to the ultimate necessity of Christ. Israel's repeated failure to remember and remain faithful to their covenant God underscores humanity's inherent inability to perfectly uphold God's law and resist the allure of false gods, whether literal or metaphorical. The cycle of sin and judgment in Judges reveals the deep need for a perfect deliverer, a true King who would not fail. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this need, the faithful Son who perfectly remembers and obeys the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). He is the one who breaks the cycle of sin and death, not through temporary judges, but through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Through His atoning work, Christ delivers us from the power of sin and idolatry, enabling us to truly "remember" God by giving us a new heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), establishing a new and better covenant, one written not on stone tablets but on our hearts ([Hebrews 8:6-10](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-10 - A Better Covenant")). In Christ, we are empowered to turn from all forms of idolatry and to serve the living and true God exclusively ([1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Turning to God from Idols")).

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

Exodus 34:13

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

2 Kings 23:6

And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.

2 Chronicles 33:19

His prayer also, and [how God] was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they [are] written among the sayings of the seers.

2 Chronicles 33:3

For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

Judges 6:25

¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that [is] by it:

Deuteronomy 16:21

Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;