Judges 2:12
New International Version
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

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger,

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
and they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed other gods from the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; so they provoked the LORD to anger.

NASB 1995
and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger.

NASB 1977
and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger.

Legacy Standard Bible
and they forsook Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked Yahweh to anger.

Amplified Bible
and they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods from the gods of the peoples who were around them, and they bowed down to them, and offended and provoked the LORD to anger.

Christian Standard Bible
and abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They angered the LORD,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They infuriated the LORD,

American Standard Version
and they forsook Jehovah, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples that were round about them, and bowed themselves down unto them: and they provoked Jehovah to anger.

English Revised Version
and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples that were round about them, and bowed themselves down unto them: and they provoked the LORD to anger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Israelites abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors, the God who brought them out of Egypt. They followed the other gods of the people around them. They worshiped these gods, and that made the LORD angry.

Good News Translation
They stopped worshiping the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God who had brought them out of Egypt, and they began to worship other gods, the gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and made the LORD angry.

International Standard Version
They abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who surrounded them. They bowed down in worship of them, and by doing so angered the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger,

NET Bible
They abandoned the LORD God of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods--the gods of the nations who lived around them. They worshiped them and made the LORD angry.

New Heart English Bible
and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them: and they provoked the LORD to anger.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were around them, and bowed themselves to them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

World English Bible
They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked Yahweh to anger.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and forsake YHWH, God of their fathers, who brings them out from the land of Egypt, and go after other gods (of the gods of the peoples who [are] around them), and bow themselves to them, and provoke YHWH,

Young's Literal Translation
and forsake Jehovah, God of their fathers, who bringeth them out from the land of Egypt, and go after other gods (of the gods of the peoples who are round about them), and bow themselves to them, and provoke Jehovah,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will forsake Jehovah the God of their fathers bringing them out of the land of Egypt, and go after other gods from the gods of the peoples which are round about them, and they will worship to them and provoke Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they left the Lord the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt: and they followed strange gods, and the gods of the people that dwelt round about them, and they adored them: and they provoked the Lord to anger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had led them away from the land of Egypt. And they followed foreign gods and the gods of the peoples who were living around them, and they adored them. And they provoked the Lord to wrath,

New American Bible
and abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the one who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods, the gods of the peoples around them, and bowed down to them, and provoked the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
and they abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them, and bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, gods of the peoples who were round about them, and they worshipped them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they left LORD JEHOVAH, God of their fathers, who brought them out from the land of Egypt, and they went after other gods of the Gentiles who were in their surroundings, and they bowed to them and they angered LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples that were round about them, and worshipped them; and they provoked the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and walked after other gods, of the gods of the nations round about them; and they worshipped them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Unfaithfulness
11And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. 12Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, 13for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:16
And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them.

Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Deuteronomy 6:14-15
Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. / For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

Jeremiah 2:13
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

1 Kings 9:6-9
But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...

2 Kings 17:7-12
All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ...

Psalm 106:35-39
but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. / They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. ...

Jeremiah 11:10
They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers.

Hosea 4:12
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.

2 Chronicles 7:19-22
But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...

Isaiah 1:4
Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.

Jeremiah 2:11
Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?


Treasury of Scripture

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 to them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

forsook

Deuteronomy 13:5
And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Deuteronomy 29:18,25
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; …

Deuteronomy 31:16,17
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them…

other gods

Judges 5:8
They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

Deuteronomy 6:14,15
Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; …

bowed

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Deuteronomy 5:9
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,

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Anger Bowed Egypt Moving Peoples Provoked Round Themselves Various Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping Wrath
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Anger Bowed Egypt Moving Peoples Provoked Round Themselves Various Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping Wrath
Judges 2
1. An angel rebukes the people at Bochim
6. The wickedness of the new generation after Joshua
14. God's anger and pity toward them
20. The Canaanites left to prove Israel














Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers
This phrase highlights the Israelites' abandonment of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the God who had been faithful to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This forsaking is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, illustrating the cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance. The act of forsaking God is seen as a breach of the first commandment, which emphasizes exclusive worship of Yahweh (Exodus 20:3). This phrase also underscores the importance of generational faithfulness and the consequences of neglecting to pass down the knowledge and fear of the Lord to subsequent generations.

who had brought them out of the land of Egypt
This reference to the Exodus serves as a reminder of God's mighty deliverance and faithfulness. The Exodus is a foundational event in Israel's history, symbolizing salvation and God's power over oppressive forces. It is frequently recalled throughout the Old Testament as a testament to God's covenantal love and faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:12). The mention of Egypt also serves as a contrast between the bondage of the past and the freedom and blessings available in obedience to God.

and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them
This phrase indicates the Israelites' adoption of the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations, which was strictly forbidden (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). The Canaanite gods, such as Baal and Asherah, were often associated with fertility and agricultural success, tempting the Israelites to syncretism. This following after other gods represents a spiritual adultery, as Israel was to be set apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The allure of these gods reflects the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to Yahweh and the temptation to conform to the world.

They bowed down to them
Bowing down signifies worship and submission, indicating that the Israelites not only acknowledged these foreign gods but also actively participated in their worship. This act of bowing is a physical manifestation of their spiritual infidelity. In biblical terms, worship is reserved for God alone (Exodus 34:14), and bowing to idols is seen as a direct violation of this principle. This action demonstrates the depth of Israel's apostasy and the seriousness of their sin.

and provoked the LORD to anger
The provocation of God's anger is a response to Israel's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. God's anger is not arbitrary but is a righteous response to sin and rebellion. Throughout the Old Testament, God's anger leads to judgment, but it is also an expression of His desire for His people to return to Him (Jeremiah 3:12-13). This anger is a reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness with which He views idolatry. It also foreshadows the need for a mediator, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to God through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were chosen by God to be His people. In this context, they are the ones who forsook the LORD.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from slavery in Egypt and established them in the Promised Land.

3. The Land of Egypt
The place from which God delivered the Israelites, symbolizing bondage and oppression.

4. Other gods
The deities worshiped by the surrounding nations, representing idolatry and spiritual adultery.

5. The Peoples Around Them
The Canaanite nations whose practices and gods influenced the Israelites negatively.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Forgetfulness
Forgetting God's past deliverance leads to spiritual decline. Just as the Israelites forgot their deliverance from Egypt, we must remember God's work in our lives to remain faithful.

The Influence of Surrounding Culture
The Israelites were influenced by the surrounding nations. We must be vigilant about the cultural influences that can lead us away from God.

The Seriousness of Idolatry
Idolatry provokes God's anger because it is a betrayal of our covenant relationship with Him. We must identify and remove modern-day idols from our lives.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commandments is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with Him. Disobedience leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.

God's Jealous Love
God's jealousy is rooted in His love for us and His desire for our exclusive devotion. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of His commitment to us.(12) Forsook the Lord God of their fathers.--(Deuteronomy 31:16-17.) It seems, however, that the sin of the Israelites was a breach rather of the second than of the first commandment. It was not so much a worshipping of other gods as a worshipping of Jehovah under false symbols adopted from the surrounding nations by a spurious syncretism. Similarly, the calf-worship of the northern tribes was originally intended to be an adoration of Jehovah, under the form of cherubic symbols, but naturally lapsed with dangerous facility into actual Baal-worship (Exodus 32:5; 1Kings 22:6).

Verse 12. - They forsook the Lord, etc. Here again there is a manifest allusion to Joshua 24:16, 17.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Thus they forsook
וַיַּעַזְב֞וּ (way·ya·‘az·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

the LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of their fathers,
אֲבוֹתָ֗ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

who had brought them
הַמּוֹצִ֣יא (ham·mō·w·ṣî)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

out of the land
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt,
מִצְרַיִם֒ (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

and they followed
וַיֵּלְכ֞וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

after
אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

various
אֲחֵרִ֗ים (’ă·ḥê·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

gods
אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of the people
הָֽעַמִּים֙ (hā·‘am·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

all around them.
סְבִיב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם (sə·ḇî·ḇō·w·ṯê·hem)
Adverb | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

They bowed down
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

to them
לָהֶ֑ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

and provoked
וַיַּכְעִ֖סוּ (way·yaḵ·‘i·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3707: To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant

the LORD {to anger},
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: Judges 2:12 And they forsook Yahweh the God (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 2:11
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