Judges 2:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even so, Israel would not listen to their judges but chased other gods, quickly turning from the obedient way their ancestors had walked.
What Does Judges 2:17 Mean?
Despite being rescued, the people refuse to listen to the judges God gave them. The text uses the language of unfaithfulness, 'went a whoring after other gods,' to describe their idolatry, and notes how quickly they abandoned the faithful path their fathers once walked.
The image of marital betrayal reveals how God sees idolatry: not as a minor lapse but as broken covenant love. Their turning was swift, showing how shallow their repentance had been. It is a warning that being rescued is not the same as being changed. God seeks not only our deliverance but our faithful, undivided hearts.
Judges 2:17 in the Original Language
zanah (זָנָה), 'go a whoring' -- to be unfaithful, used for breaking covenant loyalty to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 2:17
What does Judges 2:17 mean?
Even so, Israel would not listen to their judges but chased other gods, quickly turning from the obedient way their ancestors had walked.