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Book of Judges - Chapter 3 - Verse 7

3:7
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.

Meaning

This verse comes from the book of Judges in the Old Testament of the Bible. It describes a period in Israel's history when the people turned away from worshipping God and instead followed other gods, specifically Baalim and the groves. This act of turning away from God and serving false gods is referred to as "doing evil in the sight of the LORD." The children of Israel forgot their covenant with God and abandoned the worship of the one true God, Yahweh. Baalim was a Canaanite deity associated with fertility and the groves were sacred places dedicated to idol worship. By serving these false gods, the children of Israel broke their relationship with the LORD and strayed from the path of righteousness. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of forgetting God and turning to idols for fulfillment and protection. It highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God and honoring Him above all else.

Theological Overview

The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the recurring theme in the Old Testament of the Israelites turning away from God and worshiping other gods. In this particular instance, the children of Israel are portrayed as being unfaithful to God by engaging in idolatry and worshiping Baalim and groves, which were pagan deities and objects of worship. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of forsaking the true God and the dangers of succumbing to the temptation of false gods. It also emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring God in all aspects of life, as forgetting Him can lead to spiritual downfall. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the significance of terms like "Baalim" and "groves" to understand the specific idols and practices that the Israelites were drawn to at that time. Overall, this verse serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain faithful and steadfast in their devotion to God, lest they be led astray by worldly influences.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and forgat Jehovah their God, and served the Baalim and the Asheroth.
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