And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights not just worship of a Baal, but "the Baals" in the plural, pointing to a whole pantheon of local deities Israel adopted. This wasn't just straying into one forbidden practice, but a full immersion into the religious landscape of the surrounding nations, each with their own "lord" or "possessor" to appease.
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Joshua and the older generation, who had witnessed God's power firsthand, passed away, a new generation arose that didn't fully grasp their covenant with God. This verse marks the beginning of Israel's repeated cycle of disobedience and falling into the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations, specifically worshiping various local deities known by the general name "Baal." This apostasy directly defied the warnings given by God and set the stage for the oppression and deliverances that define the Book of Judges.
What does it truly mean to do 'evil in the sight of the LORD'? It’s more than just breaking rules.
This phrase, "evil in the sight of the LORD," appears repeatedly in Judges to describe Israel's spiritual decline. It signifies not just disobedience, but a profound rejection of God's presence and authority.
A God Who Sees
Because God's presence was uniquely with Israel, their actions were not hidden, nor were they sins against a distant deity. They were sins committed in the very face of the One who loved and delivered them. This makes their disobedience all the more contemptuous and heinous.
More Than Rule-Breaking
This isn't just about a list of prohibitions. It's about the posture of the heart. Choosing to serve other gods, even when God's eye is upon you, reveals a deep-seated rebellion and a willful disregard for His covenant. It's a turning away from the source of their salvation.
Why 'Baalim' and not just 'idols'? What made these false gods so compelling?
The term "Baalim" is the plural of "Baal," a word meaning "lord" or "master." The Israelites weren't just worshipping a single deity; they were embracing a multitude of local "lords" and "masters."
Competing Sovereigns
These Baals were often associated with nature, particularly the sun, and seen as divine rulers of specific territories or functions. They offered a sense of control and prosperity that seemed more tangible and immediate than the God of Israel. Worshipping the Baals meant recognizing other powers as supreme in different areas of life.
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Sensual and Splendid
Baal worship was known for its allure. Its rituals were often characterized by sensuality and dazzling displays, making it highly attractive to a people who were meant to be set apart. This worship presented a stark contrast to the covenant faithfulness God called for.
Understand the original words
ra' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Moral or ethical wickedness that is offensive or disagreeable to God's standard of holiness and character.
Ba'al · Hebrew Noun
A false deity or fertility god worshiped by Canaanite peoples, often representing the storm god associated with rain and agricultural productivity.
This verse marks the critical turning point where a generation, having witnessed God's faithfulness through Joshua, chooses to forsake Him for the alluring pagan gods of the land, setting the stage for the recurring cycles of sin and judgment described throughout the book of Judges.
c. 1380-1360 BC
Death of Joshua
Joshua, the successor to Moses, leads the Israelites in conquering and dividing the Promised Land. His death marks the end of an era of strong, unified leadership under God.
c. 1380-1070 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era in Israel's history characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, and deliverance through charismatic leaders called Judges.
c. 1370 BC— this verse
Israel Adopts Local Idolatry
Following Joshua's death, the new generation of Israelites forgets the LORD and begins worshipping the Baalim, the local deities of the Canaanites. This includes the worship of Baal, a prominent god associated with fertility and storms.
c. 1370 BC onwards
Chushan-Rishathaim's Oppression
As a direct consequence of their idolatry, the LORD allows an oppressive foreign king, Chushan-Rishathaim of Aram-Naharaim, to rule over Israel for eight years, marking the beginning of their cycles of servitude.
This passage outlines the first and second commandments, directly condemning the worship of any other gods or making idols, which is precisely what Israel did by serving the Baals.
Deuteronomy 11:16-17Here, Moses warns Israel that if they turn to serve other gods, the heavens will be shut up, and God's wrath will be kindled, directly foreshadowing the consequences of the actions described in Judges 2:11.
Jeremiah 2:8The prophet Jeremiah accuses Israel of forsaking the Lord and following worthless idols (Baalim), highlighting the persistent nature of this sin throughout their history and its inherent futility.
Hosea 2:16-17This passage speaks of removing the names of Baalim from Israel's mouths, showing God's desire to restore intimacy and move His people away from the practice of calling other gods 'lord,' which is contrasted with their relationship with Him.
jfbJudges 2:11-19: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
Jud 2:11-19. Wickedness of the New Generation after Joshua.11-19. the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord—This chapter, together with the first eight verses of the next [Jud 2:11-3:8], contains a brief but comprehensive summary of the principles developed in the following history. An attentive consideration of them, therefore, is of the greatest importance to a right understanding…
bensonJudges 2:11: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
Jdg 2:11 . The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord — Which marks the heinousness and impudence of their sins, above other people’s; because God’s presence was with them, and his eye upon them in a peculiar manner, which also they were not ignorant of, and therefore were guilty of more contempt of God than other people. And served Baalim — False gods, which were called by this general…
The verse highlights not just worship of a Baal, but "the Baals" in the plural, pointing to a whole pantheon of local deities Israel adopted. This wasn't just straying into one forbidden practice, but a full immersion into the religious landscape of the surrounding nations, each with their own "lord" or "possessor" to appease.
After Joshua and the older generation, who had witnessed God's power firsthand, passed away, a new generation arose that didn't fully grasp their covenant with God. This verse marks the beginning of Israel's repeated cycle of disobedience and falling into the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations, specifically worshiping various local deities known by the general name "Baal." This apostasy directly defied the warnings given by God and set the stage for the oppression and deliverances that define the Book of Judges.
After Joshua and the older generation, who had witnessed God's power firsthand, passed away, a new generation arose that didn't fully grasp their covenant with God. This verse marks the beginning of Israel's repeated cycle of disobedience and falling into the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations, specifically worshiping various local deities known by the general name "Baal." This apostasy directly defied the warnings given by God and set the stage for the oppression and deliverances that define the Book of Judges.
"And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals." — The verse highlights not just worship of a Baal, but "the Baals" in the plural, pointing to a whole pantheon of local deities Israel adopted. This wasn't just straying into one forbidden practice,…
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Last reviewed October 2026