Judges 3:6-8

Expanded Bible

⁶ The Israelites ·began to marry [^Ltook as wives] the daughters of those people, and they ·allowed their daughters to marry [^Lgave their daughters to] the sons of those people. Israel also served their gods.

Othniel, the First Judge

⁷ The ·Israelites [^Lsons/^Tchildren of Israel] did ·what the Lord said was wrong [^Levil in the eyes/sight of the Lord]. They forgot about the Lord their God and served the ·idols of Baal [^LBaals; 2:11] and ·Asherah [^LAsherahs; ^Csacred trees or poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah; Deut. 16:21; Judg. 6:25]. ⁸ So the Lord ·was angry with [^Lburned in anger against] Israel and allowed ·Cushan-Rishathaim [or Cushan, the Doubly Wicked] king of ·northwest Mesopotamia [or Aram Naharaim; ^CNaharaim means “two rivers,” referring to Mesopotamia] to rule over the ·Israelites [^Lsons/^Tchildren of Israel] for eight years.