King James Version

What Does Judges 3:7 Mean?

“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.”

Context

And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:

And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

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.

Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. Mesopotamia: Heb. Aramnaharaim

And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. deliverer: Heb. saviour

Read full chapter →

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **Did evil in the sight of the Lord.**—Rather, *did the evil, *as in Judges 2:11. **And the groves.**—Rather, *and the Asheroth, i.e., *the wooden images of the nature-goddess, Asherah (which are called also Asherim). The LXX. render the word Asherah by *alsos, *“a grove,” and other versions follow them. (Sec Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 8:5; Deuteronomy 16:21; 2Kings 23:14, &c.) Thus Luther renders it *die Hainen, *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 Mövers and others that Asherah and Astarte were different though allied deities. For the latter, see Judges 2:13. Asherah is from a root which means upright (like *Orthia *or *Orthosia, *a designation of Artemis, *Herod. iv.* 87), and her images are generally mentioned in connection with altars and images of Baal (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1Kings 14:23, &c.; Micah 6:12).

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 3:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.