Judges 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
NATIONS LEFT TO PROVE ISRAEL. (Jdg 3:1-4) these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel--This was the special design of these nations being left, and it evinces the direct influence of the theocracy under which the Israelites were placed. These nations were left for a double purpose: in the first instance, to be instrumental, by their inroads, in promoting the moral and spiritual discipline of the Israelites; and also to subserve the design of making them acquainted with war, in order that the young, more especially, who were total strangers to it, might learn the use of weapons and the art of wielding them.
Open source ↗Now these are the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel by them,.... Which are later mentioned, Jdg 3:3, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; those that Joshua, and the people of Israel under him, had with the Canaanites, when they first entered the land and subdued it; being then not born, or so young as not to have knowledge of them, at least not able to bear arms at that time.
Open source ↗Nations which the Lord left in Canaan: with a repetition of the reason why this was done. Jdg 3:1-2 The reason, which has already been stated in Jdg 2:22, viz., "to prove Israel by them," is still further elucidated here. In the first place (Jdg 3:1), את־ישׂראל is more precisely defined as signifying "all those who had not known all the wars of Canaan," sc., from their own observation and experience, that is to say, the generation of the Israelites which rose up after the death of Joshua. For "the wars of Canaan" were the wars which were carried on by Joshua with the almighty help of the Lord for the conquest of Canaan. The whole thought is then still further expanded in Jdg 3:2 as follows: "only (for no other purpose than) that the succeeding generations (the generations which followed Joshua and his contemporaries) of the children of Israel, that He (Jehovah) might teach them war, only those who had not known them (the wars of Canaan)." The suffix attached to ידעוּם refers to "the wars of Canaan," although this is a feminine noun, the suffix in the masculine plural being frequently used in connection with a feminine noun. At first sight it would appear as though the reason given here for the non-extermination of the Canaanites was not in harmony with the reason assigned in Jdg 2:22, which is repeated in Jdg 3:4 of the present chapter. But the differences are perfectly reconcilable, if we only give a correct explanation of the two expression, "learning war," and the "wars of Canaan." Learning war in the context before us is equivalent to learning to make war upon the nations of Canaan. Joshua and the Israelites of his time had not overcome these nations by their own human power or by earthly weapons, but by the miraculous help of their God, who had smitten and destroye…
Open source ↗We are here told what remained of the old inhabitants of Canaan. 1. There were some of them that kept together in united bodies, unbroken (Jdg 3:3): The five lords of the Philistines, namely, Ashdod, Gaza, Askelon, Gath, and Ekron, Sa1 6:17. Three of these cities had been in part reduced (Jdg 1:18), but it seems the Philistines (probably with the help of the other two, which strengthened their confederacy with each other thenceforward) recovered the possession of them. These gave the greatest disturbance to Israel of any of the natives, especially in the latter times of the judges, and they were never quite reduced until David's time. There was a particular nation called Canaanites, that kept their ground with the Sidonians, upon the coast of the great sea. And in the north the Hivites held much of Mount Lebanon, it being a remote corner, in which perhaps they were supported by some of the neighbouring states. But, besides these, 2. There were every where in all parts of the country some scatterings of the nations (Jdg 3:5), Hittites, Amorites, etc., which, by Israel's foolish connivance and indulgence, were so many, so easy, and so insolent, that the children of Israel are said to dwell among them, as if the right had still remained in the Canaanites, and the Israelites had been taken in by their permission and only as tenants at will. Now concerning these remnants of the natives observe, I. How wisely God permitted them to remain. It is mentioned in the close of the foregoing chapter as an act of God's justice, that he let them remain for Israel's correction. But here another construction is put upon it, and it appears to have been an act of God's wisdom, that he let them remain for Israel's real advantage, that those who had not known the wars of Canaan might learn w…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay נָסָה (nâçâh, H5254) — to test; by implication, to attempt יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him
Open source ↗רַק (raq, H7535) — properly, leanness, i.e. (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five סֶרֶן (çeren, H5633) — an axle; figuratively, a peer פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… צִידֹנִי (Tsîydônîy, H6722) — a Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon חִוִּי (Chivvîy, H2340) — a Chivvite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine בַּעַל חֶרְמוֹן (Baʻal Chermôwn, H1179) — Baal-Chermon, a place in Palestine בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חֲמָת (Chămâth, H2574) — Chamath, a place in Syria
Open source ↗נָסָה (nâçâh, H5254) — to test; by implication, to attempt יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… חִתִּי (Chittîy, H2850) — a Chittite, or descendant of Cheth אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes פְּרִזִּי (Pᵉrizzîy, H6522) — a Perizzite, one of the Canaanitish tribes חִוִּי (Chivvîy, H2340) — a Chivvite, one of the aboriginal tribes of Palestine יְבוּסִי (Yᵉbûwçîy, H2983) — a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity אֲשֵׁרָה (ʼăshêrâh, H842) — Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
Open source ↗אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם (Kûwshan Rishʻâthayim, H3573) — Cushan-Rishathajim, a Mesopotamian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם (ʼĂram Nahărayim, H763) — Aram of (the) two rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) or Mesopotamia בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… עׇתְנִיאֵל (ʻOthnîyʼêl, H6274) — Othniel, an Israelite קְנַז (Qᵉnaz, H7073) — Kenaz, the name of an Edomite and of two Israelites כָּלֵב (Kâlêb, H3612) — Caleb, the name of three Israelites קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם (Kûwshan Rishʻâthayim, H3573) — Cushan-Rishathajim, a Mesopotamian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם (ʼĂram Nahărayim, H763) — Aram of (the) two rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) or Mesopotamia יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עָזַז (ʻâzaz, H5810) — to be stout (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative) אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) עׇתְנִיאֵל (ʻOthnîyʼêl, H6274) — Othniel, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קְנַז (Qᵉnaz, H7073) — Kenaz, the name of an Edomite and of two Israelites מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… עֶגְלוֹן (ʻEglôwn, H5700) — Eglon, the name of a place in Palestine and of a Moabitish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country עֲמָלֵק (ʻĂmâlêq, H6002) — Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… תָּמָר (tâmâr, H8558) — a palm tree עִיר הַתְּמָרִים (ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym, H5899) — Ir-hat-Temarim, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. עֶגְלוֹן (ʻEglôwn, H5700) — Eglon, the name of a place in Palestine and of a Moabitish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.
“I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, so you may know and try their ways.
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.