CINXE.COM

<!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 3:7 So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/3-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_03_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 3:7 - Othniel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs." /><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/3-7.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/3-7.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/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 7</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="/ad7.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/3-6.htm" title="Judges 3:6">◄</a> Judges 3:7 <a href="/judges/3-8.htm" title="Judges 3:8">►</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/3.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/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight. They forgot about the LORD their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Thus the sons of Israel did what was evil in the eyes of Yahweh and forgot Yahweh their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites did what was evil in the LORD’s sight; they forgot the LORD their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites did what was evil in the LORD&#8217s sight; they forgot the LORD their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Israelites sinned against the LORD by forgetting him and worshiping idols of Baal and Astarte. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served the Baalim and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people of Israel did what the LORD considered evil. They forgot the LORD their God and served other gods and goddesses-the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people of Israel forgot the LORD their God; they sinned against him and worshiped the idols of Baal and Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Israelis kept on practicing evil in full view of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served Canaanite male and female deities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight. They forgot the LORD their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the sons of Israel do evil in the eyes of YHWH, and forget their God YHWH, and serve the Ba‘alim and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the sons of Israel do the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, and forget Jehovah their God, and serve the Baalim and the shrines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Israel will do evil in the eyes of Jehovah, and they will forget Jehovah their God, and they will serve the Baalims and the wooden pillars.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot their God, and served Baalim and Astaroth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot their God, while serving the Baals and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD, their God, and served the Baals and the Asherahs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, forgetting the LORD their God, and worshiping the Baals and the Asherahs.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they served their gods and the sons of Israel did evil before LORD JEHOVAH, and they forgot LORD JEHOVAH their God and they served Baal and Astharatha<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baalim and the Asheroth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/3-7.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=658" 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/3.htm">Othniel</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">So the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></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/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘ă·śū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">did</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·ra‘ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê (Prep-b:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in the sight</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.">of the LORD;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: way·yiš·kə·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">they forgot</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.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">their God</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/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: hab·bə·‘ā·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">the Baals</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: hā·’ă·šê·rō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">and the Asherahs.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.…<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="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-14.htm">Deuteronomy 6:14-15</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. / For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16-18</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. / On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-20.htm">Joshua 24:20</a></span><br />If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you and consume you, even after He has been good to you.”<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/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-12</a></span><br />All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Psalm 106:34-40</a></span><br />They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a></span><br />“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="/jeremiah/2-19.htm">Jeremiah 2:19</a></span><br />Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9-10</a></span><br />Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-2</a></span><br />Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12-13</a></span><br />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. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />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.<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="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">1 Corinthians 10:6-7</a></span><br />These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. / Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">did evil</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Judges 3:12</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-13</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: … </p><p class="hdg">the groves</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25</a></b></br> 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 <i>is</i> by it:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a></b></br> But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21</a></b></br> Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">Asheroth</a> <a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Astartes</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Baalim</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Baals</a> <a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Ba'als</a> <a href="/judges/3-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/2-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/judges/3-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/3-5.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-26.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Served</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-14.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Sight</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/19-3.htm">Asheroth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">Astartes</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baalim</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baals</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Ba'als</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/judges/8-34.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/judges/3-14.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/judges/3-14.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Served</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-11.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Sight</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-1.htm">The nations which were left to prove Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-5.htm">By communion with them they commit idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Othniel delivered them from Chushan-Rishathaim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Ehud from Eglon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-31.htm">and Shamgar from the Philistines</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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD;</b><br>This phrase indicates a recurring theme in the Book of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly fall into sin after the death of a judge. The "evil" refers to idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is central to the narrative of Judges. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" emphasizes that their actions were not hidden from God, highlighting His omniscience and the moral accountability of the Israelites.<p><b>they forgot the LORD their God</b><br>Forgetting the LORD implies a deliberate neglect of their covenant relationship with God. This forgetfulness is not merely a lapse in memory but a willful disregard for God's laws and past acts of deliverance. It reflects a spiritual amnesia that leads to idolatry. The Israelites' forgetfulness contrasts with the repeated biblical exhortations to remember God's deeds and commandments (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-12.htm">Deuteronomy 6:12</a>, <a href="/psalms/78-11.htm">Psalm 78:11</a>).<p><b>and served the Baals and the Asherahs.</b><br>The Baals and Asherahs were Canaanite deities, representing fertility and nature. Baal was often depicted as a storm god, while Asherah was considered a mother goddess. Serving these gods involved rituals that were abhorrent to the LORD, including temple prostitution and possibly child sacrifice. This idolatry was a direct violation of the first two commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a>). The Israelites' adoption of Canaanite religious practices illustrates the danger of cultural assimilation and the influence of surrounding nations. This idolatry is a type of spiritual adultery, contrasting with the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and resisted temptation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who repeatedly fall into cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance throughout the Book of Judges.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and just, and who desires faithfulness from His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/baals.htm">Baals</a></b><br>Canaanite deities associated with fertility and weather, often worshiped through idolatrous practices.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/asherahs.htm">Asherahs</a></b><br>Canaanite goddesses, often represented by wooden poles or trees, associated with fertility and motherhood.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_cycle_of_sin.htm">The Cycle of Sin</a></b><br>A recurring theme in Judges where Israel falls into sin, faces oppression, cries out to God, and is delivered by a judge.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_forgetfulness.htm">The Danger of Forgetfulness</a></b><br>Forgetting God leads to spiritual decline and idolatry. We must actively remember and honor God in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Serving other gods brings about God's displeasure and judgment. We must guard our hearts against modern forms of idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenant_faithfulness.htm">The Importance of Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>God desires a faithful relationship with His people. We are called to be loyal and obedient to His commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cycle_of_sin_and_redemption.htm">The Cycle of Sin and Redemption</a></b><br>Recognize the patterns of sin in our lives and seek God's deliverance through repentance and faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>God raises leaders to guide His people back to Him. We should pray for and support godly leaders in our communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_hebron's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What were fertility cults in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_deborah's_role_culturally_accepted.htm">Judges 4:4–5 depicts Deborah holding a high leadership role—would this have been culturally acceptable at the time? </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/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/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">Did evil in the sight of the Lord.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">did the evil, </span>as in <a href="/judges/2-11.htm" title="And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:">Judges 2:11</a>.<p><span class= "bld">And the groves.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">and the Asheroth, i.e., </span>the wooden images of the nature-goddess, Asherah (which are called also Asherim). The LXX. render the word Asherah by <span class= "ital">alsos, </span>"a grove," and other versions follow them. (Sec <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm" title="But you shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:">Exodus 34:13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-5.htm" title="You shall also consider in your heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.">Deuteronomy 8:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm" title="You shall not plant you a grove of any trees near to the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make you.">Deuteronomy 16:21</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm" title="And he broke in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.">2Kings 23:14</a>, &c.) Thus Luther renders it <span class= "ital">die Hainen, </span>and it used to be erroneously supposed that the word pointed to tree-worship. The Vulgate rundere it "Astaroth." It seems, however, to be clear from the researches of M?vers and others that Asherah and Astarte were different though allied deities. For the latter, see <a href="/judges/2-13.htm" title="And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.">Judges 2:13</a>. Asherah is from a root which means upright (like <span class= "ital">Orthia </span>or <span class= "ital">Orthosia, </span>a designation of Artemis, <span class= "ital">Herod. iv.</span> 87), and her images are generally mentioned in connection with altars and images of Baal (<a href="/exodus/34-13.htm" title="But you shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:">Exodus 34:13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm" title="But thus shall you deal with them; you shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.">Deuteronomy 7:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm" title="And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.">Deuteronomy 12:3</a>; <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm" title="For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.">1Kings 14:23</a>, &c.; <a href="/micah/6-12.htm" title="For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.">Micah 6:12</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The groves</span>. The <span class="accented">Asheroth</span>, here and elsewhere (<a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25, 26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21</a>, etc.)wrongly rendered groves, were large wooden images or pillars in honour of Ashtoreth, and so are properly coupled with <span class="accented">Baalim.</span> This verse is in fact identical in meaning with <a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a>, of which it is a repetition (see note to <a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a>, and <a href="/judges/8-23.htm">Judges 8:23</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/3-7.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">So the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעֲשׂ֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרַע֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the sight</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵינֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD;</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</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">they forgot</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּשְׁכְּח֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·kə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</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">their God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</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">the Baals</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּעָלִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·‘ā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<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 Asherahs.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲשֵׁרֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·šê·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/3-7.htm">OT History: Judges 3:7 The children of Israel did that which (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/3-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 3:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 3:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/3-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 3:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 3:8" /></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>