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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 2:13 for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/2-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/07_Jdg_02_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 2:13 - Israel's Unfaithfulness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.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/2-12.htm" title="Judges 2:12">◄</a> Judges 2:13 <a href="/judges/2-14.htm" title="Judges 2:14">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They abandoned the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they forsook Yahweh and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they abandoned the LORD and served Baal [the pagan god of the Canaanites] and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />for they abandoned him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />for they abandoned Him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they forsook Jehovah, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They abandoned the LORD to serve the god Baal and the goddess Astarte.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They stopped worshiping the LORD and served the Baals and the Astartes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As a result, they abandoned the LORD by serving both Baal and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They abandoned the LORD and worshiped Baal and the Ashtars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They forsook the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They abandoned Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />indeed, they forsake YHWH, and do service to Ba‘al and to Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> yea, they forsake Jehovah, and do service to Baal and to Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will forsake Jehovah, and will serve Baal and Ashtaroth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Forsaking him, and serving Baal and Astaroth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />forsaking him, and serving Baal and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Because they had abandoned the LORD and served Baal and the Astartes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They abandoned the LORD, and worshiped Baal and the Astartes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they left LORD JEHOVAH and they served Baal and Astharatha<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they provoked the Lord, and forsook him, and served Baal and the Astartes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/2-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=474" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Israel's Unfaithfulness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: way·ya·‘az·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">for they forsook</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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.">Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: way·ya·‘aḇ·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">and served</a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: lab·ba·‘al (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">Baal</a> <a href="/hebrew/6252.htm" title="6252: wə·lā·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-fp) -- Or bashtaroth; plural of ashtrah; Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan.">and the Ashtoreths.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-18.htm">1 Kings 18:18</a></span><br />“I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">1 Samuel 12:10</a></span><br />Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11-13</a></span><br />Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. / Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD. / “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Hosea 2:13</a></span><br />I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she adorned herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">1 Kings 11:33</a></span><br />For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a></span><br />They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-13.htm">Jeremiah 11:13</a></span><br />Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-2.htm">2 Chronicles 28:2-3</a></span><br />Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made cast images of the Baals. / Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-36.htm">Psalm 106:36-39</a></span><br />They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. / They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a></span><br />They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16-17</a></span><br />What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” / “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a></span><br />Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a></span><br />But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.</p><p class="hdg">served</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/10-6.htm">Judges 10:6</a></b></br> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/13-31.htm">Ashtaroth</a> <a href="/joshua/13-31.htm">Ash'taroth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">Ashtoreths</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">Astartes</a> <a href="/joshua/18-14.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Ba'als</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Served</a> <a href="/joshua/22-27.htm">Service</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/10-6.htm">Ashtaroth</a> <a href="/judges/10-6.htm">Ash'taroth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-4.htm">Ashtoreths</a> <a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Astartes</a> <a href="/judges/3-3.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Ba'als</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Served</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">Service</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-1.htm">An angel rebukes the people at Bochim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-6.htm">The wickedness of the new generation after Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-14.htm">God's anger and pity toward them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-20.htm">The Canaanites left to prove Israel</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>for they forsook Him</b><br>This phrase indicates a deliberate turning away from God by the Israelites. Historically, this period follows the death of Joshua, when the Israelites were settling into the Promised Land. The forsaking of God is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often leading to dire consequences. This act of forsaking is a violation of the covenant established at Sinai (Exodus 19-24), where the Israelites pledged exclusive loyalty to Yahweh. The forsaking of God is also a precursor to the cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that characterize the Book of Judges.<p><b>and served Baal</b><br>Baal was a prominent Canaanite deity associated with fertility, storms, and agriculture. The worship of Baal was widespread among the Canaanites, and it often involved rituals that were abhorrent to the Israelites, such as child sacrifice and temple prostitution. The Israelites' service to Baal represents a significant spiritual decline, as they adopted the religious practices of the surrounding nations, contrary to God's command to remain separate and holy (<a href="/leviticus/20-26.htm">Leviticus 20:26</a>). This service to Baal is a direct violation of the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>) and illustrates the seductive power of idolatry.<p><b>and the Ashtoreths</b><br>Ashtoreth, also known as Astarte or Ishtar, was a goddess of love and war, often associated with Baal. The plural form "Ashtoreths" suggests the worship of multiple manifestations or local versions of this goddess. The worship of Ashtoreth typically involved immoral practices, which were in stark contrast to the moral and ethical standards set by God for His people. The Israelites' worship of the Ashtoreths further demonstrates their assimilation into Canaanite culture and religion, leading them away from the worship of the one true God. This idolatry is condemned throughout the Old Testament and is seen as spiritual adultery (<a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6-10</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God who were led out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. In this context, they are turning away from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/baal.htm">Baal</a></b><br>A Canaanite deity associated with fertility and weather, often worshiped by the surrounding nations. The Israelites' worship of Baal represents a significant departure from their covenant with Yahweh.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashtoreths.htm">Ashtoreths</a></b><br>Female deities associated with fertility, love, and war, often linked with Baal worship. The plural form indicates the worship of multiple forms or manifestations of this goddess.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to the Israelites, where they were supposed to live according to God's laws but instead adopted the pagan practices of the inhabitants.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a></b><br>Leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression and guide them back to Him. This period is marked by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_syncretism.htm">The Danger of Syncretism</a></b><br>Mixing true worship with pagan practices leads to spiritual compromise. Believers must guard against adopting cultural practices that contradict biblical teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god.htm">Faithfulness to God</a></b><br>Just as Israel was called to exclusive devotion to Yahweh, Christians are called to remain faithful to Christ, avoiding modern forms of idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_idolatry.htm">Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Turning away from God leads to spiritual and often physical consequences. Understanding this helps believers prioritize their relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cycle_of_sin_and_redemption.htm">The Cycle of Sin and Redemption</a></b><br>The book of Judges illustrates a cycle that can occur in our lives. Recognizing this pattern can help us seek God’s deliverance and avoid repeated failures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_mercy.htm">God’s Patience and Mercy</a></b><br>Despite Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, God continually raised judges to deliver them. This reflects His patience and willingness to forgive when we repent.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_were_fertility_cults_in_the_bible.htm">What were fertility cults in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_baal_and_asherah_in_mythology.htm">Who are Baal and Asherah in mythology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_ashtoreth.htm">Who is Ashtoreth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_stalking.htm">Who are Baal and Asherah in mythology?</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>(13) <span class= "bld">Baal and Ashtaroth.</span>--Literally, "the Baals and the Ashtareths."<p><span class= "bld">Ashtaroth.</span>--The plural of the feminine word Ash-tareth, or Astarte, "the goddess of the Sidonians" (<a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm" title="For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.">1Kings 11:5</a>), the Ph?nician Venus--identified sometimes with the moon (<span class= "ital">e.g., </span>in the name Ashtaroth Karnaim, "the city of the two-horned moon," the name of Og's capital, <a href="/deuteronomy/1-4.htm" title="After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelled in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelled at Astaroth in Edrei:">Deuteronomy 1:4</a>), and sometimes with the planet Venus (<a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm" title="And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel.">2Kings 23:4</a>; Cic. <span class= "ital">De Nat. Deor. </span>3:23; Euseb. <span class= "ital">Praep. Evang. </span>i. 10). She is called the "queen of heaven," in <a href="/jeremiah/7-10.htm" title="And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?">Jeremiah 7:10</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm" title="But we will certainly do whatever thing goes forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.">Jeremiah 44:17</a>, and was called Baalti ("my lady") by the Ph?nicians. The plural form may be, as Ewald thinks, the plural of excellence, or like Baalim an allusion to the different forms and attributes under which the goddess was worshipped. The worship of Baalim and Ashtaroth naturally went hand in hand. (See <a href="/judges/10-6.htm" title="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 10:6</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/7-4.htm" title="Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.">1Samuel 7:4</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm" title="And they cried to the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.">1Samuel 12:10</a>.) Ashtaroth is not to be confused with the Asheroth (rendered "groves" in the E. V.) mentioned in <a href="/judges/3-7.htm" title="And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.">Judges 3:7</a>. The words resemble each other less in Hebrew, as Ashtaroth begins with <span class= "greekheb"></span>, not with <span class= "greekheb"></span>. Mil. ton's allusions to these deities are not only exquisitely beautiful but also very correct, as he derived his information from Selden's learned <span class= "ital">Syntagma de Dis Syrs:</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Baal and Ashtaroth</span>. <span class="accented">Ashtaroth</span> is the plural of <span class="accented">Ashtoreth</span>, the goddess of the Zidonians (<a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5, 33</a>), just as <span class="accented">Baalim</span> (ver. 11) is the plural of Baal. The many images of Baal and Ashtoreth are, in the opinion of some, indicated by the plural; but others think that different modifications or impersonations of the god and goddess are indicated. Thus we read of <span class="accented">Baal-berith</span>, the god who presides over covenants; <span class="accented">Baal-zebul</span>, or <span class="accented">Zebub</span>, the god who presides over flies, who could either send or remove a plague of flies, and so on. "Baal (lord or master) was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations, as Ashtoreth (perhaps <span class="accented">the star</span>, the planet Venus) was their supreme female divinity. Baal and Ashtoreth are frequently coupled together. Many Phoenician names - Hannibal, Asdrubal, Adherbal, Belus, etc. - are derived from Baal." <p> CHAPTER 2:14-23 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/2-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">for they forsook</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעַזְב֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘az·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and served</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעַבְד֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aḇ·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Baal</span><br /><span class="heb">לַבַּ֖עַל</span> <span class="translit">(lab·ba·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1168.htm">Strong's 1168: </a> </span><span class="str2">Baal -- a heathen god</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the Ashtoreths.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·‘aš·tā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6252.htm">Strong's 6252: </a> </span><span class="str2">A place East of the Jordan</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/2-13.htm">OT History: Judges 2:13 They forsook Yahweh and served Baal (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/2-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 2:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 2:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/2-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 2:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 2:14" /></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>