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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 2:17 Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD's commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/2-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/07_Jdg_02_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 2:17 - Judges Raised Up" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD's commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/2-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/2-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/2-16.htm" title="Judges 2:16">◄</a> Judges 2:17 <a href="/judges/2-18.htm" title="Judges 2:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/judges/2.htm">New International Version</a> Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the LORD&#8217s commands. <a href="/nlt/judges/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. <a href="/esv/judges/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the LORD, and they did not do so. <a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done. <a href="/kjv/judges/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. <a href="/nkjv/judges/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. <a href="/nasb_/judges/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they committed infidelity with other gods and bowed down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do the same as their fathers. <a href="/nasb/judges/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do as their fathers. <a href="/nasb77/judges/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do as their fathers. <a href="/lsb/judges/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Yet they did not listen to their judges either, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of Yahweh; they did not do as their fathers. <a href="/amp/judges/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the prostitute after other gods and they bowed down to them. They quickly turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do as their fathers. <a href="/csb/judges/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. They did not do as their ancestors did. <a href="/hcsb/judges/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD&#8217s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. <a href="/asv/judges/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And yet they hearkened not unto their judges; for they played the harlot after other gods, and bowed themselves down unto them: they turned aside quickly out of the way wherein their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of Jehovah; but they did not so. <a href="/cev/judges/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> In years gone by, the Israelites had been faithful to the LORD, but now they were quick to be unfaithful and to refuse even to listen to these judges. The Israelites disobeyed the LORD, and instead of worshiping him, they worshiped other gods. <a href="/erv/judges/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And yet they hearkened not unto their judges, for they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves down unto them: they turned aside quickly out of the way wherein their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. <a href="/gwt/judges/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But the people wouldn't listen to the judges. The Israelites chased after other gods as though they were prostitutes and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors who had obeyed the LORD's commands. They refused to be like their ancestors. <a href="/gnt/judges/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the Israelites paid no attention to their leaders. Israel was unfaithful to the LORD and worshiped other gods. Their fathers had obeyed the LORD's commands, but this new generation soon stopped doing so. <a href="/isv/judges/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> But they didn't listen to their leaders, because they were committing spiritual immorality by following other gods and worshiping them. They quickly turned away from the road on which their ancestors had walked in obedience to the commands of the LORD. They didn't follow their example. <a href="/msb/judges/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD?s commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done. <a href="/net/judges/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But they did not obey their leaders. Instead they prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned aside from the path their ancestors had walked. Their ancestors had obeyed the LORD's commands, but they did not. <a href="/nheb/judges/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Yet they did not listen to their judges; for they played the prostitute after other gods, and bowed themselves down to them: they turned aside quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not do so. <a href="/wbt/judges/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And yet they would not hearken to their judges, but they went astray after other gods, and bowed themselves to them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so. <a href="/web/judges/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Yet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed themselves down to them. They quickly turned away from the way in which their fathers walked, obeying Yahweh’s commandments. They didn’t do so. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they have also not listened to their judges, but have gone whoring after other gods, and bow themselves to them; they have turned aside [with] haste out of the way [in] which their fathers walked to obey the commands of YHWH—they have not done so. <a href="/ylt/judges/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and also unto their judges they have not hearkened, but have gone a-whoring after other gods, and bow themselves to them; they have turned aside with haste out of the way in which their fathers walked to obey the commands of Jehovah -- they have not done so. <a href="/slt/judges/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And also they will not hear to their judges, for they committed fornications after other gods, and they will worship to them: they turned aside quickly from the way which their fathers went to hear the commands of Jehovah; they did not so.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Committing fornication with strange gods, and adoring them. They quickly forsook the way, in which their fathers had walked: and hearing the commandments of the Lord, they did all things contrary. <a href="/cpdv/judges/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Fornicating with foreign gods and adoring them, they quickly deserted the way along which their fathers had advanced. And having heard the commandments of the Lord, they did all things to the contrary. <a href="/nabre/judges/2.htm">New American Bible</a> but they did not listen to their judges either, for they prostituted themselves by following other gods, bowing down to them. They were quick to stray from the way their ancestors had taken, who obeyed the commandments of the LORD; but these did not. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Yet they did not listen even to their judges; for they lusted after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their ancestors had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the LORD; they did not follow their example.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And yet they would not hearken to their judges, because they had gone astray after other gods and worshipped them; they turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, who had listened to the commandments of the LORD, but they did not do so. <a href="/hpbt/judges/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Also their Judges did not listen, for they strayed after other gods, and they bowed to them and they turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers went to hear the commandments of LORD JEHOVAH, and they did not so<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And yet they hearkened not unto their judges, for they went astray after other gods, and worshipped them; they turned aside quickly out of the way wherein their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not so. <a href="/sep/judges/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> for they went a whoring after other gods, and worshipped them; and they turned quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked to hearken to the words of the Lord; they did not so. <a href="/parallel/judges/2-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=511" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Judges Raised Up</a> 16Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of those who plundered them. 17<a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">Israel, however,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·mê·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: šō·p̄ə·ṭê·hem (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3mp) -- To judge, govern. ">their judges.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Instead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">they prostituted</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">themselves with</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’ă·ḥê·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">other</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">and bowed down</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">to them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4118.htm" title="4118: ma·hêr (Adv) -- Hastening, speedy, swift. From mahar; properly, hurrying; hence in a hurry.">They quickly</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: sā·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: had·de·reḵ (Art:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of their fathers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">who had walked</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: liš·mō·a‘ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">in obedience</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4687.htm" title="4687: miṣ·wōṯ- (N-fpc) -- Commandment. From tsavah; a command, whether human or divine.">commandments;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">do as their fathers had done.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> 18Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16</a> And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12</a> My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. <a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6</a> Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. <a href="/psalms/106-39.htm">Psalm 106:39</a> They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds. <a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a> They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Exodus 34:15-16</a> Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same. <a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a> “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute. <a href="/2_chronicles/21-11.htm">2 Chronicles 21:11</a> Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray. <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a> Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. <a href="/ezekiel/16-15.htm">Ezekiel 16:15</a> But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking. <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! <a href="/john/5-43.htm">John 5:43</a> I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a> You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a> For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And yet they would not listen to their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves to them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.they would<a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-8</a> And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations… <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12,17,19</a> And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king… <a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15,16</a> And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: … whoring<a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Exodus 34:15,16</a> Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; … <a href="/leviticus/17-7.htm">Leviticus 17:7</a> And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.<a href="/psalms/73-27.htm">Psalm 73:27</a> For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.quickly<a href="/exodus/32-8.htm">Exodus 32:8</a> They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-12.htm">Deuteronomy 9:12,16</a> And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image… <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">Galatians 1:6</a> I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:which their<a href="/judges/2-7.htm">Judges 2:7</a> And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.<a href="/joshua/24-24.htm">Joshua 24:24,31</a> And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/joshua/22-5.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/joshua/24-24.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/judges/2-16.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-20.htm">Obeying</a> <a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Played</a> <a href="/joshua/6-25.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/joshua/23-16.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/joshua/14-10.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/judges/2-14.htm">Way</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Whoring</a> <a href="/judges/2-12.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/judges/5-27.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/judges/3-4.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/judges/3-4.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/judges/2-20.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/judges/2-18.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Obeying</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Played</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/judges/2-23.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/judges/5-6.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Way</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Whoring</a> <a href="/judges/7-15.htm">Worshipped</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 2</div>1. <a href="/judges/2-1.htm">An angel rebukes the people at Bochim</a> 6. <a href="/judges/2-6.htm">The wickedness of the new generation after Joshua</a> 14. <a href="/judges/2-14.htm">God's anger and pity toward them</a> 20. <a href="/judges/2-20.htm">The Canaanites left to prove Israel</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. The period of the judges was marked by a cyclical pattern of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges were leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and guide them back to His ways. However, the Israelites often ignored their judges, reflecting a deeper spiritual rebellion. This disobedience highlights the Israelites' failure to recognize God's authority and the judges as His appointed leaders. This pattern of ignoring divine guidance is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a>, where Israel demands a king, rejecting God as their true leader.Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. The metaphor of prostitution is frequently used in the Bible to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God, as seen in <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a>. This imagery underscores the severity of idolatry, equating it with spiritual adultery. The Israelites' worship of other gods, such as Baal and Ashtoreth, was not merely a religious act but a cultural assimilation into the pagan practices of surrounding nations. This idolatry often involved rituals that were morally and spiritually corrupt, leading Israel further away from their covenant relationship with God.They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, The phrase indicates a rapid departure from the faithfulness of previous generations. The "way of their fathers" refers to the path of obedience and worship established by leaders like Moses and Joshua. This turning away suggests a generational decline in spiritual commitment, as seen in <a href="/judges/2-10.htm">Judges 2:10</a>, where a new generation arose that did not know the LORD or His works. This highlights the importance of passing down faith and the consequences of failing to do so.who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commandments; The ancestors of the Israelites, particularly during the time of Moses and Joshua, were characterized by their adherence to God's commandments. This obedience was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>. The blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience were well-known, yet the new generation chose to ignore these divine statutes, leading to their downfall.they did not do as their fathers had done. This phrase emphasizes the contrast between the current generation and their forefathers. The previous generations, despite their own failings, had moments of genuine repentance and commitment to God's laws. The failure of the current generation to emulate this obedience resulted in spiritual and moral decay. This serves as a warning and a call to return to the foundational truths of faith, as echoed in the New Testament in passages like <a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12-19</a>, which warns against a hardened heart and unbelief.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a> Leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and guide them back to faithfulness. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The people of God who repeatedly turned away from Him to worship other gods. 3. <a href="/topical/o/other_gods.htm">Other gods</a> The false deities of the surrounding nations that the Israelites pursued, contrary to God's commandments. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fathers.htm">Fathers</a> The ancestors of the Israelites who had walked in obedience to God, such as those who followed Joshua. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant God of Israel, who commanded exclusive worship and obedience from His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a> Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must guard our hearts against modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism, power, or relationships. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> The Israelites' failure to obey God led to their downfall. Obedience to God's Word is crucial for maintaining a faithful relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/g/generational_faithfulness.htm">Generational Faithfulness</a> The passage highlights the importance of passing down faithfulness to God from one generation to the next. Parents and leaders should model and teach obedience to God's commandments. <a href="/topical/l/listening_to_god-appointed_leaders.htm">Listening to God-appointed Leaders</a> Just as the Israelites were called to listen to their judges, we are called to heed the guidance of godly leaders and mentors in our lives. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a> Despite Israel's repeated failures, God continually offered opportunities for repentance. We should be quick to repent and return to God when we stray.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 2</a> <a href="/q/why_didn't_god_stop_jephthah's_vow.htm">Why did God allow Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11 without stopping him?</a> <a href="/q/does_deut._13_clash_with_free_will.htm">Does the harsh response prescribed in Deuteronomy 13 conflict with the concept of free will versus strict divine command?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_judges_2_3_align_with_joshua.htm">In Judges 2:3, God says He will no longer drive out the remaining nations; how does this align with earlier promises of total conquest in Joshua?</a> <a href="/q/what_evidence_supports_biblical_judges.htm">Judges 2:16-19 speaks of God raising up judges to deliver Israel, but what historical or archaeological data support the existence of these specific judges?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Went a whoring.--Idolatry throughout the Bible is regarded as a spiritual adultery. (<a href="/exodus/34-15.htm" title="Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice to their gods, and one call you, and you eat of his sacrifice;">Exodus 34:15</a>; <a href="/isaiah/54-5.htm" title="For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.">Isaiah 54:5</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/3-8.htm" title="And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.">Jeremiah 3:8</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm" title="That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.">Ezekiel 23:37</a>; <a href="/hosea/2-7.htm" title="And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.">Hosea 2:7</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm" title="For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.">2Corinthians 11:2</a>, &c.) . . . <a href="/commentaries/judges/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>[Israel,] however, וְגַ֤ם (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and did not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no listen שָׁמֵ֔עוּ (šā·mê·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to their judges. שֹֽׁפְטֵיהֶם֙ (šō·p̄ə·ṭê·hem) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate Instead, כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction they prostituted זָנ֗וּ (zā·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> To commit adultery, to commit idolatry themselves with אַֽחֲרֵי֙ (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part other אֲחֵרִ֔ים (’ă·ḥê·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> Hinder, next, other gods אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and bowed down וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate to them. לָהֶ֑ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> They quickly מַהֵ֗ר (ma·hêr) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4118.htm">Strong's 4118: </a> Hastening, speedy, swift turned סָ֣רוּ (sā·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside from מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of the way הַדֶּ֜רֶךְ (had·de·reḵ) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action of their fathers, אֲבוֹתָ֛ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father who had walked הָלְכ֧וּ (hā·lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk in obedience לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ (liš·mō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently to the LORD’s יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel commandments; מִצְוֺת־ (miṣ·wōṯ-) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> Commandment they did not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no do as their fathers [had done]. עָ֥שׂוּ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/2-17.htm">Judges 2:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/2-17.htm">OT History: Judges 2:17 Yet they didn't listen to their judges (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/2-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 2:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 2:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/2-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 2:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 2:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>