Judges 2:13 · Bible study
Judges 2:13 Commentary: Served Baal and Ashtaroth
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What does Israel's service to Baal and Ashtaroth mean? This study explores the sin of syncretism and the covenant break in Judges 2:13.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Israel abandoned Yahweh to serve the Canaanite deities Baal and Ashtaroth, breaking the covenant.
- Key words: Baal (H1168, lord/owner), Ashtaroth (H6252, female deities), served (H5647, avad), forsook (H5800, azav).
- Main debate: Was this syncretism (adding to Yahweh worship) or total apostasy (rejecting Yahweh altogether)?
- Theological theme: Covenant unfaithfulness and the consequences of idolatry.
- Best use: A warning against mixing worship of God with any competing loyalty.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
WEB World English Bible 2000
They abandoned Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
KJV King James Version 1769
And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And they forsook Jehovah, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
yea, they forsake Jehovah, and do service to Baal and to Ashtaroth.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And they forsook Jehovah, and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Forsaking him, and serving Baal and Astaroth
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y dejaron á Jehová, y adoraron á Baal y á Astaroth.
Pois abandonaram o SENHOR, e adoraram a Baal e a Astarote.
Ils abandonnèrent l’ Éternel, et ils servirent Baal et les Astartés.
denn sie verließen je und je den HERRN und dienten Baal und den Astharoth.
Want zij verlieten den HEERE, en dienden de Baal en Astharoth.
abbandonarono l’Eterno, e servirono a Baal e agl’idoli d’Astarte.
Bo opuścili Pana, a służyli Baalowi i Astarotowi.
оставили Господа и стали служить Ваалу и Астартам.
並離棄 耶和華，去事奉 巴力 和亞斯她錄。
And they gave up the Lord, and became the servants of Baal and the Astartes.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Judges 2:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Judges 2:13 restates the charge of verse 12 for emphasis. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that the repetition underscores the gravity of the sin. Israel served Baal and the Ashtaroth. Baal, meaning 'lord' or 'owner,' was not a single deity but a title used for the male gods of each Canaanite town. Ashtaroth, the plural of Ashtoreth, refers to the female deities, often linked to fertility and the moon. Keil and Delitzsch describe Baal as a sun-god, source of physical life, and Ashtaroth as a moon-goddess, the feminine principle in nature. Adam Clarke connects Ashtaroth to Venus and its obscene rites. The consensus is that this was not a direct rejection of Yahweh but a syncretistic mixing of worship. The Israelites did not cease to regard Yahweh as their God, but they added the Canaanite gods, seeking their blessings for crops and flocks. This violated the exclusive covenant and provoked Yahweh's anger, as the following verses show.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Syncretistic admixture: Israel continued to worship Yahweh but added Baal and Ashtaroth (Cambridge Bible, Keil & Delitzsch).
- Total apostasy: The repeated phrase 'they forsook Yahweh' suggests a complete abandonment of God.
- Progressive decline: Syncretism led over time to outright apostasy, as the Judges cycle shows.
What is clear: Israel violated the covenant by serving other gods, a direct breach of the first and second commandments.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the worship | Israel served Baal and Ashtaroth, violating the exclusive covenant with Yahweh. | Some see this as syncretism (adding these gods to Yahweh worship); others see it as total abandonment of Yahweh. |
| Identity of Baal and Ashtaroth | They were Canaanite deities associated with fertility and cosmic forces. | Whether Baal is a title for many local gods (Cambridge Bible) or a specific sun-god (Keil & Delitzsch), and similarly for Ashtaroth. |
| Severity of the offense | The sin provoked Yahweh to anger and brought judgment. | Whether this was a gradual decline or a deliberate act of rebellion. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Judges 2:13 sits within the prologue to the entire book, explaining the cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance. After Joshua’s death, a generation arose that did not know Yahweh or His works (v. 10). The Canaanite religion they encountered was deeply tied to the land. Baal was believed to control rain and fertility; Ashtaroth governed reproduction and love. The Cambridge Bible observes that the Israelites, feeling that Yahweh was a desert God, thought they needed the local gods for agricultural success. This led to a syncretistic faith where Yahweh was honored alongside Baal and Ashtaroth. The rites often included sacred prostitution and other practices abhorrent to Israel’s moral law, as noted by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown. The worship of these gods was widespread, as seen in later references: Ashtoreth is called the goddess of the Sidonians in 1 Kings 11:5. The plural form 'Ashtaroth' indicates multiple local manifestations. Gill’s Exposition connects Ashtaroth to the Saxon goddess Eostre, showing how deeply ingrained such worship became. The fundamental break from Yahweh was not merely adding another deity but allowing the worship of the Creator to be replaced and corrupted by the worship of creation itself. This violated the first commandment and the covenant established at Sinai. The rest of Judges will show the consequences: oppression, suffering, and the need for deliverance.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Judges 2:13. The Masoretic Text is consistent across manuscripts. The verse functions as a repeated refrain in the opening of Judges, and its wording is stable.
Reception History
This verse has been a key text for understanding the cycle of idolatry in Judges. In Jewish tradition, the sin of serving Baal and Ashtaroth is seen as the root of later exile. The Talmud uses the example to warn against any form of idolatry. In Christian history, early church fathers like Tertullian referenced Ashtaroth to argue against pagan influences. The reformers, including Luther and Calvin, saw this as evidence of the human heart’s tendency to create idols, even while professing faith. Matthew Henry’s commentary frames it as a warning for the church to remain pure from worldly entanglements.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Sin of Syncretism: Israel added Baal and Ashtaroth to their worship. They did not deny Yahweh but compromised His exclusive place.
- The Seriousness of Forsaking God: The verb “forsook” (azav) is repeated (vv. 12, 13). It implies leaving a relationship, like abandoning a spouse.
- The Consequence: Loss of Peace: Yahweh’s anger burned, and He gave Israel over to enemies. Their syncretism brought judgment, not blessing.
Five-point outline
- Forgotten Generation: They did not know Yahweh or His works (v. 10).
- Chosen Gods: They served Baal (male fertility) and Ashtaroth (female fertility).
- Broken Covenant: They violated the exclusive loyalty Yahweh demanded.
- Provoked Anger: Yahweh’s hand was against them for disaster.
- Repeated Deliverance: God raised up judges, though Israel would not listen.
Illustration hooks
- A farmer who prays for rain but also uses pagan rituals for a good harvest shows divided loyalty.
- A church that adopts the culture’s values, success, comfort, self-fulfillment, while still confessing Christ practices subtle syncretism.
- A believer who trusts God for salvation but depends on horoscopes or status symbols for daily security reflects the same heart issue.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Can I serve God and still hold onto worldly habits? Is that the same as syncretism?
- How do I know when I am adding other “gods” to my life?
- What does authentic worship of God alone look like?
Leading a Discussion
Judges 2:13 shows a stark moment: Israel, called to be God’s people, turned to Baal and Ashtaroth. The question is not just about ancient Canaan. Every generation faces the temptation to mix faith with the loyalties of its culture. Use these questions to examine your own heart and your community.
Discussion questions
- Why does the writer repeat the accusation in verse 13 after verse 12? What does the repetition suggest?
- Look at the definition of Baal as “lord” or “owner.” What does it mean that Israel served such a god? Compare this with serving Yahweh.
- The Hebrew verb “avad” (to serve) is also used of worship. What does it say about our hearts when we “serve” something other than God?
- What does the pairing of Baal and Ashtaroth teach about the nature of Canaanite religion? Why would this appeal to Israel?
- How is syncretism different from outright denial of God? Which is more dangerous to faith?
- What “Baals and Ashtaroths” exist in your life, things you trust for security or blessings alongside God?
- In verse 14, Yahweh’s anger leads to deliverance into enemies’ hands. What does this tell you about God’s character and covenant expectations?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Judges 2:11 | The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals. |
| Judges 3:7 | 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. |
| Judges 10:6 | The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals, the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh, and didn’t serve him. |
| I Samuel 31:10 | They put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. |
| I Kings 11:5 | For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. |
| I Kings 11:33 | because they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did. |
| II Kings 23:13 | The king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon. |
| Psalms 106:36 | They served their idols, which became a snare to them. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke identifies Baal and Ashtaroth as likely representing the sun and moon, but he adds a more specific point about Ashtaroth. In many cases, he says, Ashtaroth was the Canaanite equivalent of the Greek and Roman Venus, worshipped with the same obscene rites.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator explains that Israel did not outright abandon Jehovah but felt compelled to also worship Canaanite fertility gods, since the Lord was seen as a desert deity rather than a god of the land. This syncretism, rather than outright apostasy, is what the later prophets condemned as a "forsaking" of the Lord, gravely endangering the distinctive character of Israel's religion.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
So they forsooke the Lord, and serued Baal, and Ashtaroth.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies Ashtaroth as a collective name covering many foreign female deities like Juno, Venus, and Diana, and connects it specifically to Astarte, the Phoenician goddess and Zidonian Venus. He also notes the Saxon goddess Eostre as a related form, from which the English word Easter derives.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB points out that Ashtaroth is a plural term referring collectively to all female deities, not a single goddess. He emphasizes that the worship of these divinities was marked by rites involving the grossest and most revolting impurities.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch argue that Israel did not formally reject Jehovah but mixed His worship with Canaanite nature-worship, turning Him into a local Baal. This syncretism, though common among polytheists, was a deep corruption: it degraded the one true God into an idol and amounted to forsaking Him.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Israel’s sin was not mere idolatry but a conscious choice to serve national gods that embody human self-will and ambition, replacing the self-sufficient God with a projection of their own desires. This
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights how quickly Israel fell into idolatry once the generation that witnessed God's great works had passed away. The new generation did not know the Lord because they had not personally experienced His mighty acts, and so they turned to other gods almost immediately.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley rejects Matthew Henry's claim that the goodness of God's promised land will intensify the punishment of those who perish. He argues that this reasoning fails under predestination: if some are not elected, they never had a genuine offer, and if all the elect are saved, the grant was never free to the others.