Judges 2 12

Judges 2:12 kjv

And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

Judges 2:12 nkjv

and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger.

Judges 2:12 niv

They forsook the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD's anger

Judges 2:12 esv

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.

Judges 2:12 nlt

They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD.

Judges 2 verses

Judges 2 12 Meaning

This verse declares that the generation of Israelites arising after Joshua and his contemporaries "forsook" Yahweh, the covenant God of their ancestors, who had miraculously delivered them from Egyptian bondage. Instead, they "followed other gods," specifically those of the surrounding pagan peoples, and overtly "bowed themselves unto them," engaging in idolatrous worship. This marked a profound betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh and set the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy and judgment in the book of Judges.

Judges 2 12 Context

Judges chapter 2 serves as a pivotal theological bridge, transitioning from the unified success of the conquest under Joshua (Chapters 1:1-2:5) to the turbulent cycles of disobedience and judgment characteristic of the era of the Judges. After the death of Joshua and his generation (Judg 2:10), a new generation emerged "who did not know the Lord or the work that He had done for Israel." This verse (2:12) specifically explains how this lack of knowing manifested: a direct and deliberate abandonment of their covenant God, Yahweh. It contrasts Yahweh's unparalleled act of deliverance from Egypt with Israel's choice to follow local Canaanite deities. This rejection directly violated the commands given in Deuteronomy to worship only Yahweh and drive out the inhabitants and their idols, setting the stage for divine judgment in the form of oppression from surrounding nations, thus initiating the pattern described throughout the rest of the book.

Judges 2 12 Word analysis

• And they forsook (וַיַּעַזְב֥וּ – vayya‘azvu): From the root עָזַב (azav), meaning to leave, abandon, desert, or neglect. It implies a deliberate and intentional turning away, a breach of loyalty and covenant. This is not accidental but a chosen course of action. In biblical context, it signifies a deep spiritual unfaithfulness.
• the Lord God (יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י – Yahweh Elohei):
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging character, and His unique claim over Israel as their Redeemer and King. This is the God who revealed Himself to Moses and delivered them.
  • Elohim (אֱלֹהִ֣י): A generic Hebrew term for God, but when used with Yahweh, it stresses His supreme divine power and authority as the one true God over all creation, in contrast to the false "elohim" (gods) they later worshipped.
• of their fathers (אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם – avoteihem): Refers to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, highlighting the continuity of the covenant passed down through generations. To abandon Yahweh was to betray the faith and heritage of their esteemed forefathers.
• which brought them out (הוֹצִיאֵ֣ם – hotzi'em): From the verb יָצָא (yatsa), "to go out, come out," specifically "to lead out, bring forth." This phrase explicitly links their forsaking God to their forgetting or disregarding the foundational act of redemption: the Exodus. The Exodus was the definitive event demonstrating Yahweh's power and His exclusive claim on Israel.
• of the land of Egypt (מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם – me’erets Mitsrayim): Egypt symbolizes the ultimate house of slavery and oppression, from which Yahweh delivered them with a mighty hand. To abandon the Deliverer was to effectively forget their past bondage and liberation.
• and followed (וַיֵּלְכ֣וּ – vayelku): From הָלַךְ (halakh), "to walk, go." It indicates a lifestyle choice and commitment. They did not just observe or tolerate; they actively pursued and oriented their lives according to these "other gods."
• other gods (אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲחֵרִֽים – Elohim acherim): Refers to foreign deities, distinct from Yahweh. This directly violates the First Commandment ("You shall have no other gods before me," Ex 20:3). These were typically the Canaanite gods like Baal, Asherah, and others associated with fertility and localized powers.
• of the gods of the people that were round about them (מֵאֱלֹהֵי֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר֙ סְבִיבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֔ם – me’elohei ha‘ammim asher sevivotam): Emphasizes the immediate cultural and spiritual pressures. The Israelites were explicitly commanded to drive out these nations and destroy their idols (Deut 7:2-5), but their failure to do so led to succumbing to the surrounding pagan influences.
• and bowed themselves unto them (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ לָהֶֽם – vayishtachavu lahem): From שָׁחָה (shachah), "to bow down, worship." This signifies an act of overt religious veneration, explicit homage, and worship, making their apostasy public and undeniable. It's not just a passive embrace but an active engagement in foreign religious practices.

Judges 2 12 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial theological lens for understanding not only the book of Judges but also the broader narrative of Israel's relationship with Yahweh throughout the Old Testament. It succinctly captures the recurring problem of apostasy rooted in forgetfulness of divine acts and the allure of contemporary paganism. The choice to worship "other gods" was not merely a religious deviation but an implicit rejection of Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty, His power, and His moral law, which were intertwined with the covenant. Their abandonment was a failure to transmit the knowledge and experience of Yahweh from one generation to the next, as foreshadowed in Deuteronomy and lamented in Psalms. It also represents a polemic against the supposed power or benefit of the Canaanite gods, highlighting that despite Israel's worship, these gods provided no deliverance or true security, only leading to cycles of judgment.

Judges 2 12 Commentary

Judges 2:12 unveils the primary reason for Israel's decline and subsequent oppression during the period of the Judges: a fundamental abandonment of Yahweh. The verse meticulously details this spiritual treason by highlighting three critical elements. First, it states their direct action: they "forsook" (עָזַב - azav), indicating a deliberate and conscious rejection of their covenant God, Yahweh Elohim. This was not a passive lapse but an active renunciation of the relationship with the very God who established them as a nation.

Secondly, the verse emphasizes Yahweh's foundational act of grace: "who brought them out of the land of Egypt." This points to the Exodus, the central redemptive event in Israelite history, which cemented Yahweh's exclusive claim on His people. To forget or ignore this act was to dismiss the very basis of their identity and Yahweh's authority. Their sin was spiritual amnesia coupled with rebellion.

Thirdly, it details the outcome of their forsaking: they "followed other gods" of the surrounding nations and "bowed themselves unto them." This illustrates how a void created by abandoning the true God is quickly filled by false deities. These were not abstract ideas, but specific pagan gods (like Baal and Asherah) worshipped by the Canaanites whom Israel failed to dispossess or eradicate, contrary to divine command. Their worship involved literal acts of prostration, signifying complete submission and allegiance. This betrayal of Yahweh ignited His anger, as narrated in the following verses (Judg 2:14-15), leading to the oppressive cycles that characterize the era. The verse thus sets the theological framework for the entire book, revealing the consequence of unfaithfulness to a covenant-keeping God.