Judges 2:19
New International Version
But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

New Living Translation
But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

English Standard Version
But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.

Berean Standard Bible
But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.

New American Standard Bible
But it came about, when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their obstinate ways.

NASB 1995
But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

NASB 1977
But it came about when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

Legacy Standard Bible
But it happened when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

Amplified Bible
But when the judge died, they turned back and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, in following and serving other gods, and bowing down to them. They did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

Christian Standard Bible
Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their ancestors, following other gods to serve them and bow in worship to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate ways.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their evil practices or their obstinate ways.

American Standard Version
But it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their doings, nor from their stubborn way.

Contemporary English Version
But afterwards, the Israelites would become even more sinful than their ancestors had been. The Israelites were stubborn--they simply would not stop worshiping other gods or following their teachings.

English Revised Version
But it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their doings, nor from their stubborn way.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But after each judge died, the people went back to their old ways and acted more corruptly than their parents. They followed, served, and worshiped other gods. They never gave up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

Good News Translation
But when the leader died, the people would return to the old ways and behave worse than the previous generation. They would serve and worship other gods, and stubbornly continue their own evil ways.

International Standard Version
However, after the leader had died, they would relapse to a condition more corrupt than their ancestors, following other gods, serving them, and worshiping them. They would not abandon their activities or their obstinate lifestyles.

Majority Standard Bible
But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

NET Bible
When a leader died, the next generation would again act more wickedly than the previous one. They would follow after other gods, worshiping them and bowing down to them. They did not give up their practices or their stubborn ways.

New Heart English Bible
But it happened, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them; they did not cease from their doings, and they did not turn aside from their stubborn way.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

World English Bible
But when the judge was dead, they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers in following other gods to serve them and to bow down to them. They didn’t cease what they were doing, or give up their stubborn ways.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass, when the judge dies—they turn back and have done corruptly above their fathers, to go after other gods, to serve them, and to bow themselves to them; they have not fallen from their doings, and from their stiff way.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, at the death of the judge -- they turn back and have done corruptly above their fathers, to go after other gods, to serve them, and to bow themselves to them; they have not fallen from their doings, and from their stiff way.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in the dying of the judge, they will turn back and be corrupted above their fathers to go after other gods to serve them and to worship to them: they let nothing fall from their deeds and from their hard way.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But after the judge was dead, they returned, and did much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them and adoring them. They left not their own inventions, and the stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But after a judge had died, they turned back, and they were doing much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them, and adoring them. They did not abandon their pursuits and their very stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk.

New American Bible
But when the judge died, they would again do worse than their ancestors, following other gods, serving and bowing down to them, relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn ways.

New Revised Standard Version
But whenever the judge died, they would relapse and behave worse than their ancestors, following other gods, worshiping them and bowing down to them. They would not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass, when the judges were dead, they returned and became more corrupt than their fathers, in following other gods to serve and to worship them; they did not cease from their wickedness, nor from their evil ways.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the Judges had died, they returned and they became more corrupt than their fathers to go after other gods to work for them and to worship them, and they did not diminish from their works and from their evil ways
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to worship them; they left nothing undone of their practices, nor of their stubborn way.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when the judge died, that they went back, and again corrupted themselves worse than their fathers to go after other gods to serve them an to worship them: they abandoned not their devices nor their stubborn ways.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judges Raised Up
18Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them. 19But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice,…

Cross References
Judges 3:7-11
So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. / Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years. / But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. ...

Judges 3:12-15
Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. / After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms. / The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. ...

Judges 4:1-3
After Ehud died, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD. / So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. / Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he had harshly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.

Judges 6:1-6
Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, / and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. / Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, ...

Judges 10:6-16
And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. / So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites, / who that very year harassed and oppressed the Israelites, and they did so for eighteen years to all the Israelites on the other side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. ...

Judges 13:1
Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

2 Kings 17:13-18
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. ...

Nehemiah 9:26-28
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. / So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. / But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion.

Psalm 78:56-64
But they tested and disobeyed God Most High, for they did not keep His decrees. / They turned back and were faithless like their fathers, twisted like a faulty bow. / They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols. ...

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

Jeremiah 7:24-26
Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. / From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.

Jeremiah 11:7-10
For from the time I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt until today, I strongly warned them again and again, saying, ‘Obey My voice.’ / Yet they would not obey or incline their ears, but each one followed the stubbornness of his evil heart. So I brought on them all the curses of this covenant I had commanded them to follow but they did not keep.” / And the LORD told me, “There is a conspiracy among the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem. ...

Jeremiah 25:4-7
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. / The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. / Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’ ...

Hosea 4:1-2
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

Hosea 11:7
My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

when the

Judges 2:7
And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

Judges 3:11,12
And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died…

Judges 4:1
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.

corrupted or were corrupt.

Jeremiah 16:12
And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:

Matthew 23:32
Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

ceased not from.

1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Psalm 78:8
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Jeremiah 3:17
At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

Jump to Previous
Bow Cease Ceased Corrupted Corruptly Dead Dealt Doings Judge Practices Serve Stubborn Themselves Turned Undone Way Worship
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Bow Cease Ceased Corrupted Corruptly Dead Dealt Doings Judge Practices Serve Stubborn Themselves Turned Undone Way Worship
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














But when the judge died
This phrase marks a pivotal transition in the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges. The Hebrew word for "judge" is "shofet," which implies not only a legal arbiter but also a leader or deliverer. In the context of ancient Israel, judges were raised by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression and to lead them back to faithfulness. The death of a judge often signified the end of a period of relative peace and obedience, highlighting the Israelites' dependency on strong, God-appointed leadership to maintain their covenant relationship with God.

the Israelites would return to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers
The phrase "return to ways even more corrupt" underscores a recurring theme of spiritual and moral decline. The Hebrew root for "corrupt" is "shachath," which conveys a sense of destruction or decay. This suggests not just a return to previous sins but an intensification of rebellion against God. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' tendency to assimilate the pagan practices of surrounding nations, which led them further away from the covenantal laws given at Sinai.

following other gods and serving and worshiping them
This phrase highlights the core issue of idolatry, which was a direct violation of the first two commandments. The Hebrew word for "gods" is "elohim," which can refer to the one true God or to false deities, depending on the context. The Israelites' worship of other gods was not merely a religious error but a betrayal of their exclusive covenant with Yahweh. Archaeological findings, such as altars and idols from Canaanite sites, provide evidence of the pervasive influence of surrounding cultures on Israelite worship practices.

They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways
The phrase "refused to give up" indicates a willful persistence in sin. The Hebrew word for "refused" is "ma'en," which implies a deliberate choice against repentance. "Evil practices" and "stubborn ways" reflect a hardened heart, resistant to God's call to holiness. This stubbornness is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, illustrating the human tendency to resist divine authority and the need for a transformative relationship with God. The historical context of this period shows a nation struggling with identity and faithfulness amidst external pressures and internal weaknesses.

(19) They ceased not from their own doings.--Literally, as in the margin, "they let nothing fall of their deeds."

Stubborn.--They are called "stiff-necked" in Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 10:16; Acts 7:51. The prophets and sacred writers are always careful to impress upon the Jews that they are chosen by God's free grace to work out His purpose, and that their selection for this service was in no sense due to any merits of their own (Isaiah 65:2; Psalm 81:11-12; Matthew 23:37; Acts 7:51). It is to be noted that in the Bible there is none of the extravagant national self-satisfaction which defaces so much of the Talmud. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But when
וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the judge
הַשּׁוֹפֵ֗ט (haš·šō·w·p̄êṭ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

died,
בְּמ֣וֹת (bə·mō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

the Israelites became even more corrupt
וְהִשְׁחִ֣יתוּ (wə·hiš·ḥî·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

than their fathers,
מֵֽאֲבוֹתָ֔ם (mê·’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

going
לָלֶ֗כֶת (lā·le·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

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

other
אֲחֵרִ֔ים (’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

to serve them
לְעָבְדָ֖ם (lə·‘ā·ḇə·ḏām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

and bow down
וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת (ū·lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

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

They would not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

turn
הִפִּ֙ילוּ֙ (hip·pî·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

from their evil practices
מִמַּ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם (mim·ma·‘al·lê·hem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4611: A deed, practice

and stubborn
הַקָּשָֽׁה׃ (haq·qā·šāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7186: Hard, severe

ways.
וּמִדַּרְכָּ֖ם (ū·mid·dar·kām)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action


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OT History: Judges 2:19 But it happened when the judge was (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 2:18
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