Judges 2:11-13
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The plural "Baalim" isn't just about worshipping many gods; it highlights how Israel adopted a whole pantheon of "lords" from surrounding cultures, forsaking the unique, covenantal "Lord" who had rescued them. This wasn't just a lapse into general paganism, but a direct rejection of their exclusive relationship with God.
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger. They abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks a pivotal moment following Joshua's death and the generation that knew God's powerful deliverance. Instead of continuing in faithfulness, the new generation turned to idolatry, abandoning the God of their fathers for the local deities known as the Baals, thus setting the stage for the cycles of oppression and deliverance that define the Book of Judges.
They knew God, lived in His land, yet turned away. How does proximity to God's goodness make sin more grievous?
This verse marks a tragic turning point. After Joshua and the generation that knew the wilderness and the conquest died, a new generation arose. They hadn't personally experienced God's mighty deliverance from Egypt or witnessed His power firsthand.
The 'Evil' That Offends God
The phrase 'did evil in the sight of the LORD' isn't just about breaking rules. It signifies a deep offense, a rebellion that grieves God, especially when committed by those He has so uniquely blessed and revealed Himself to. Their sin was made worse because God's presence and watchful eye were upon them. They weren't acting in ignorance like pagan nations; they were deliberately turning their backs on the One who had given them everything.
They didn't just worship 'a god,' but 'the Baalim.' What does this plural signify about their spiritual compromise?
The term 'Baalim' is the plural of 'Baal,' a Canaanite word meaning 'lord' or 'master.' This wasn't just one idol, but a whole host of deities that the surrounding nations worshipped.
Masters of Deception
Each Baal likely represented a different aspect of nature or life – the sun, fertility, storms – promising control and provision. By worshipping the Baalim, Israel was essentially saying that these created powers were their true lords, not the Creator. This plural form emphasizes the variety and of the false gods Israel embraced. It was a wholesale adoption of the surrounding culture's spiritual landscape, a complete abandonment of the unique covenant relationship they had with Yahweh.
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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.
'azab · Hebrew Verb
To forsake, desert, or leave behind a relationship or covenant, frequently used in the context of Israel turning away from Yahweh to idols.
ab · Hebrew Noun
A common descriptive term for the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) with whom God established His covenant, serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises.
chawah · Hebrew Verb
To prostrate oneself or pay homage, physically expressing submission, reverence, or worship, whether directed toward God or idols.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
To incite or irritate, frequently used to describe Israel’s idolatry triggering God's righteous indignation and disciplinary action.
Ashtoreth · Hebrew Noun
The primary female deity in the Canaanite pantheon, often associated with war, love, and fertility, whose worship was strictly forbidden in Israel.
This verse highlights the immediate spiritual decline of Israel after Joshua's generation passed. The allure of Canaanite gods, known collectively as 'Baalim' (lords), proved irresistible, leading them to forsake the Lord who had brought them into this land.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua Leads Israel into Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquer and begin to divide the Promised Land among the twelve tribes, following God's commands.
c. 1390 BC
Death of Joshua and Elders
The generation that knew and followed God's commands, led by Joshua, passes away. This marks a critical transition point for the nation.
c. 1390 - 1070 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges Begins
Following Joshua's death, a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance characterizes Israel's history. This verse marks the beginning of the first downward spiral.
Ongoing throughout the Judges period
Canaanite Religious Influence
The native Canaanite peoples, with their vibrant and often sensually appealing Baal worship, remained within and around Israelite territory, posing a constant religious temptation.
This verse directly prohibits worshipping other gods, setting the stage for why Israel's actions in Judges 2:11 were considered 'evil in the sight of the LORD.'
Deuteronomy 6:14-15This passage warns against following other gods and emphasizes the LORD's jealousy, highlighting the severity of Israel's apostasy described in Judges 2:11.
Jeremiah 2:13This prophetic passage uses similar language, calling the people 'fools' for abandoning the LORD, their 'fountain of living waters,' to worship 'broken cisterns,' mirroring the spiritual betrayal in Judges 2:11.
Romans 1:21-23This New Testament passage describes a similar spiritual trajectory where people, though knowing God, 'exchanged the truth about God for a lie' and worshipped created things, reflecting the essence of Israel's idolatry.
Hosea 2:16-17This passage speaks of a future restoration where Israel will no longer call their idols 'Baals' (lords), showing the deep spiritual perversion inherent in the worship condemned in Judges 2:11.
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 plural "Baalim" isn't just about worshipping many gods; it highlights how Israel adopted a whole pantheon of "lords" from surrounding cultures, forsaking the unique, covenantal "Lord" who had rescued them. This wasn't just a lapse into general paganism, but a direct rejection of their exclusive relationship with God.
This verse marks a pivotal moment following Joshua's death and the generation that knew God's powerful deliverance. Instead of continuing in faithfulness, the new generation turned to idolatry, abandoning the God of their fathers for the local deities known as the Baals, thus setting the stage for the cycles of oppression and deliverance that define the Book of Judges.
This verse marks a pivotal moment following Joshua's death and the generation that knew God's powerful deliverance. Instead of continuing in faithfulness, the new generation turned to idolatry, abandoning the God of their fathers for the local deities known as the Baals, thus setting the stage for the cycles of oppression and deliverance 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. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods…" — The plural "Baalim" isn't just about worshipping many gods; it highlights how Israel adopted a whole pantheon of "lords" from surrounding cultures, forsaking the unique, covenantal "Lord" who had r…
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Last reviewed October 2026
