שופטים, פרק ג׳, פסוק ו׳

Living among the native nations presented a test for the Israelites, which they ultimately failed. After a period of living peacefully alongside these groups, they developed a deep social closeness with them. This growing bond naturally led to intermarriage, as the Israelites began taking wives from the surrounding peoples.

Commentators agree that the direct and unavoidable result of these marriage ties was idolatry. The assimilation brought about by these unions is what eventually caused the Israelites to worship the gods of the foreign nations.