Israel's Apostasy and the Rise of Oppressors
Judges 2:6-3:6
Jud.2.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנחלתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- לרשת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 21:43-45 (verbal): Same basic wording and theological point: the LORD gave Israel the land, they took possession and dwelt in it — paralleling 'each to his inheritance' and taking possession in Judg 2:6.
- Numbers 33:54 (verbal): Legal instruction to divide the land by lot as an inheritance and to possess it; shares the vocabulary and concept of allotment and possession of the land.
- Joshua 24:28-29 (structural): Joshua's death and burial are narrated here; Judges 2:6 immediately follows that transitional material — the passages are structurally linked and form a unit about the end of Joshua's leadership and Israel settling into their inheritance.
- Judges 1:1 (thematic): Also begins the post‑Joshua period and deals with Israel's actions regarding conquest and settlement of the land; thematically connected with Israelites moving into or securing their allotted inheritances.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua sent the people away, and the children of Israel went every man to his inheritance to possess the land.
- And Joshua sent the people away; and the children of Israel went every man to his inheritance to possess the land.
Jud.2.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעבדו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הזקנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- האריכו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- יהושוע: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 24:31 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Israel ‘served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived him’ — a direct repetition of the tradition about Joshua-era fidelity.
- Judges 2:6 (structural): Immediate narrative context recounting Joshua’s death and the succession of the elders who had seen God’s mighty works — sets up the statement in 2:7.
- Judges 2:10 (thematic): Contrasts 2:7 by describing the next generation who ‘knew not the LORD’ — highlights the theme of faithful elders’ passing and subsequent decline in faithfulness.
- Psalm 78:4–7 (thematic): Stresses the duty to recount God’s deeds to the next generation so they might trust and obey — parallels the idea that those who witnessed God’s works preserved covenant fidelity.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and who had seen all the work of the LORD that he had done for Israel.
- And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the work of the LORD that he had done for Israel.
Jud.2.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- ועשר: CONJ+NUM,f,pl
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Josh.24.29 (verbal): Identical report of Joshua's death and age; Judges 2:8 echoes the same wording found in Joshua 24:29.
- Josh.24.30 (structural): Immediate continuation in Joshua giving the burial and location details (Joshua 24:29–30); Judges repeats the death and then follows with similar burial information.
- Judg.2.9 (verbal): The verse following Judges 2:8 gives the burial particulars and echoes the account in Joshua 24:30—both passages link Joshua's death with his burial in his inheritance.
- Deut.34.5-7 (thematic): Moses' death, age, and the transition of leadership are narrated here (Moses aged 120); thematically parallels Joshua's death as the end of a generation of national leaders and marks a transition in Israel's history.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at one hundred and ten years old.
- And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of one hundred and ten years.
Jud.2.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בגבול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- נחלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,suff:3,m
- בתמנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חרס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצפון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- געש: NOUN,m,sg,abs,proper
Parallels
- Joshua 24:30 (quotation): Nearly identical wording: the burial of Joshua in Timnath‑heres on the hill of Ephraim north of Mount Gaash is repeated verbatim in Joshua 24:30.
- Joshua 24:29 (structural): Reports Joshua’s death immediately prior to the burial account (Joshua 24:29–30); Judges 2:8–9 retells the same framework (death followed by burial).
- Joshua 24:31 (thematic): States Israel served the LORD during Joshua’s lifetime, providing the contrast behind Judges 2:9–11, which depicts the nation’s decline after his death.
- Deuteronomy 34:5–6 (thematic): Also records the death and burial of a major leader (Moses); parallels the motif of leaderly death and burial while contrasting the manner and location (Moses’ burial is divinely concealed).
- 1 Kings 2:10 (thematic): David’s death and burial in the city of David echoes the broader biblical motif of burying prominent leaders in their hereditary or royal place, similar to Joshua’s interment in his inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath‑heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
- And they buried him in the border of his inheritance at Timnath‑heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
Jud.2.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- כל: DET
- הדור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- נאספו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אבותיו: NOUN,m,pl,cons,3ms
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- המעשה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 78:5-8 (thematic): Recounts the failure of later generations to know God and stresses the need to teach children about God's deeds—directly mirrors Judges' observation that a new generation did not know the LORD or his works.
- Psalm 106:7 (verbal): Uses similar language about the fathers not knowing or remembering God's wonders, echoing the theme that Israel's later generations failed to acknowledge the LORD and his works.
- Deuteronomy 32:7 (thematic): Moses exhorts Israel to 'remember the days of old' and to ask their fathers about God's deeds—an instructive counterpoint to Judges' report that the next generation did not know the LORD or his acts.
- Deuteronomy 4:9-10 (structural): Commands Israel to take care to teach children the statutes and to call to mind the day God delivered them—parallel in purpose to Judges' notice that the succeeding generation lacked knowledge of the Lord and his mighty works.
Alternative generated candidates
- And also all that generation were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor the work that he had done for Israel.
- And all that generation were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD nor the work that he had done for Israel.
Jud.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעבדו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הבעלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Judges 3:7 (verbal): Repeats the same refrain — “the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD” and served foreign gods/Baalim — part of the Deuteronomistic cycle repeated in Judges.
- Judges 3:12 (verbal): Another occurrence of the refrain “did evil in the sight of the LORD,” leading to divine judgment (oppression by foreign rulers); shows the recurring pattern introduced in 2:11.
- Judges 10:6 (verbal): Returns to the identical theme/wording: Israel does evil and serves Baalim (and other gods), illustrating the cyclical apostasy throughout the book.
- Exodus 32:1–8 (thematic): The golden calf episode: Israel’s turn to idolatry and worship of a made god — thematically parallels Judges 2:11’s charge of abandoning Yahweh to serve other deities (Baalim).
- 1 Kings 18:20–40 (thematic): Elijah’s confrontation with Baal worshipers exposes the same conflict between Yahweh and Baal; thematically linked to Judges’ denunciation of service to Baalim in 2:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baalim.
- And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
Jud.2.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- המוציא: VERB,hif,ptc,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- מאלהי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,constr
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- סביבותיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויכעסו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:8 (thematic): The people quickly turn away from YHWH and adopt idolatry (golden calf), paralleling Judges’ report that Israel forsook the LORD and served other gods.
- Deuteronomy 31:16 (quotation): Moses predicts that the people will forsake YHWH and go after other gods—an explicit prophetic description of the same sin Judges describes.
- Psalm 106:21-22 (verbal): The psalm laments that Israel 'forgot God their Savior' who delivered them from Egypt—language and theme that echo Judges’ emphasis on abandoning the God who brought them out of Egypt.
- 2 Kings 17:7-8 (thematic): An account of Israel’s exile attributing it to abandoning YHWH and worshipping the gods of the peoples around them, mirroring Judges’ diagnosis and its covenantal consequence.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (allusion): Jeroboam’s establishment of rival cultic centers and calf-worship led Israel into sin, a later instance of the same pattern of forsaking YHWH for neighboring gods described in Judges.
Alternative generated candidates
- They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went after other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger.
- They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them; they bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger.
Jud.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעזבו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעבדו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- לבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולעשתרות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 2:11 (verbal): Immediate preceding summary: Israel 'did evil' and 'served Baalim and Ashtaroth'—virtually the same wording that establishes the pattern of apostasy.
- Judges 3:7 (verbal): Reiterates the formulaic cycle: Israel 'did evil in the sight of the LORD,' 'forgot the LORD,' and 'served Baalim and Ashtaroth,' linking Judges 2:13 to the recurring judges-cycle.
- Judges 10:6 (structural): A later recap of the judges-cycle: Israel again 'served the Baals and the Ashtaroth' (and other gods), showing the repeated narrative structure of apostasy and oppression.
- Jeremiah 2:13 (thematic): Condemns Israel for abandoning the LORD and turning to worthless substitutes—same theme of forsaking YHWH for other gods and the resulting judgment.
- Deuteronomy 6:14 (thematic): The Torah prohibition 'You shall not go after other gods' provides the covenantal law Israel violates in Judges when they serve Baal and the Ashtaroth.
Alternative generated candidates
- They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
- They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
Jud.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתנם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- וימכרם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אויביהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- מסביב: ADV,loc
- ולא: CONJ
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- לעמד: VERB,qal,inf
- לפני: PREP
- אויביהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judg.3.8 (verbal): Nearly identical judicial formula: 'the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan‑rishathaim…' — same language of divine anger and God 'selling' Israel to their enemies.
- Judg.10.7 (verbal): Repeats the pattern: 'the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the children of Ammon' — another instance of the cyclical 'sin–oppression' motif.
- Judg.13.1 (thematic): Summarizes the cycle: Israel does evil, and 'the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years' — thematic parallel emphasizing divine judgment by handing Israel over to foes.
- Deut.28.25 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses: the LORD will cause you to be defeated and give you over to your enemies — provides the covenantal rationale for the deliverance described in Judges 2:14.
- 2 Chron.36.17–20 (thematic): Narrates later divine judgment where God 'gave them into the hand' of the Chaldeans and removed them — echoes the motif of God handing Israel over to hostile powers as punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of plunderers who plundered them; and he gave them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not stand before their enemies.
- The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; he sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.
Jud.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לרעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וכאשר: CONJ
- נשבע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויצר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 3:8 (verbal): Uses the same motif of God 'giving/selling' Israel into the hand of an oppressor — language and idea of divine handing-over as punishment parallel Judges 2:15.
- Judges 6:1 (thematic): Narrates the same cyclical pattern: Israel does evil, and the LORD delivers them into the hand of Midian — exemplifies the repeated 'hand of the LORD against them' consequence described in Judg 2:15.
- Judges 10:7-9 (thematic): Records Israel's relapse and God 'selling' them into enemy hands (Philistines/Ammonites), continuing the judge-era pattern of divine judgment stated in Judg 2:15.
- Deuteronomy 28:25 (allusion): Part of the covenant curses promised for disobedience (defeat and delivery to enemies); Judg 2:15 frames Israel's being given over as fulfillment of these covenant warnings.
- Psalm 106:40-43 (verbal): Retells Israel's history in covenantal terms: 'the wrath of the LORD was kindled' and he 'gave them into the hands of the nations' — a summary reflection that echoes the language and theological interpretation of Judg 2:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned and as the LORD had sworn to them; and they were in great distress.
- Whenever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them; and they were greatly distressed.
Jud.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויושיעום: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- מיד: PREP
- שסיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judges 2:18 (verbal): Repeats the formula 'the LORD raised up judges' and adds that Yahweh was with the judge and delivered Israel—direct continuation of the same motif in Judges 2.
- Judges 3:9 (thematic): The pattern recurs: when Israel cries out, 'the LORD raised up a deliverer' (Othniel). Same theological motif of God raising judges to rescue Israel from oppression.
- Judges 3:15 (thematic): Again the Lord 'raised up' a deliverer (Ehud) to save Israel—another instance of the recurring judge/deliverer cycle described in Judges.
- 1 Samuel 12:9 (quotation): Samuel's review of Israel's history echoes Judges' language—'the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of those who plundered them'—an explicit allusion/quote of the Judges tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the power of those who plundered them.
- Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hand of those who plundered them.
Jud.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- שפטיהם: NOUN,m,pl,cs+3mp
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- זנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- סרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,cs+3mp
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כן: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 32:8 (verbal): Both passages describe Israel 'turning aside quickly' to other gods (the golden calf episode), a close verbal and thematic parallel of rapid apostasy.
- Deuteronomy 31:16 (thematic): Moses foretells that the people will turn to other gods after his death—anticipates the later generations' abandonment of God's ways described in Judges.
- 2 Kings 17:7-18 (thematic): Summarizes Israel's repeated disobedience and worship of foreign gods and their failure to heed God's commands/watchmen, leading to exile—same pattern as Judges' cycle.
- Psalm 78:8 (thematic): Warns against becoming like the fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation whose hearts were not faithful—echoes the contrast between obedient ancestors and later apostasy in Judges.
- Hosea 4:17 (allusion): Hosea portrays Ephraim 'joined to idols' and uses the imagery of harlotry for Israel's idolatry—language and motif parallel Judges' depiction of Israelites 'playing the harlot' after other gods.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet they did not listen to their judges; they prostituted themselves after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.
- Yet they would not listen to their judges, for they prostituted themselves after other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.
Jud.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכי: CONJ
- הקים: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- שפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- השפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והושיעם: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg+3,pl
- מיד: PREP
- איביהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- השופט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- ינחם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מנאקתם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,pl
- מפני: PREP
- לחציהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- ודחקיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
Parallels
- Judg.2.16 (structural): Immediately preceding summary statement with nearly identical theme: 'the LORD raised up judges who delivered them'—sets the same pattern of divine raising of judges to rescue Israel.
- Judg.3.9 (thematic): Describes the cycle where Israel cries out and 'the LORD raised up a deliverer' who rescues them from oppressors—repeats the deliverance-by-judge motif of 2:18.
- Exod.32.14 (verbal): Uses the same verb of divine 'repenting/relenting' (וינחם/נחם): God relents of intended judgment after Israel's pleadings, paralleling 'the LORD relented concerning their groaning' in Judg 2:18.
- Ps.106.45 (allusion): Speaks of God remembering his covenant and 'repenting' in mercy to save Israel—echoes the idea that the LORD relents and acts to deliver his people in response to their distress.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who pressed and afflicted them.
- And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.
Jud.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- במות: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השופט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- והשחיתו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- מאבותם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לעבדם: VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
- ולהשתחות: CONJ+VERB,hitpael,inf
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- הפילו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- ממעלליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ומדרכם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- הקשה: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:16 (allusion): God tells Moses that after his death the people will ‘go a-whoring after the strange gods’ and forsake Yahweh — a prophetic precedent for Israel’s relapse when a leader dies (parallels motif of apostasy after the leader’s death).
- Judges 2:11-12 (verbal): Immediate context: Israel ‘did evil in the sight of the LORD’ and ‘served Baalim,’ directly echoing the language and charge of continuing in sinful, idolatrous ways described in 2:19.
- Judges 8:33-35 (verbal): Reports that as soon as Gideon (a judge) died the Israelites ‘went a-whoring after Baalim’ and did not cease from their corrupt practices — a near parallel example of the same pattern tied to a judge’s death.
- Judges 21:25 (structural): Declares ‘In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes,’ summarizing the lawlessness and persistent disobedience that 2:19 attributes to Israel’s continual relapse.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (thematic): Narrative summary of Israel’s repeated sins — idolatry, following nations’ gods, and refusal to obey — culminating in exile. The passage thematically parallels Judges 2:19’s cycle of apostasy and its enduring consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when the judge died, that they turned and behaved worse than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and to bow down to them; they did not abandon their deeds or their hard ways.
- But when the judge died, they turned back and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, following other gods to serve them and bowing down to them; they did not cease from their practices nor from their stubborn way.
Jud.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עברו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- הגוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- לקולי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:16-18 (allusion): God predicts Israel will forsake him and he will hide his face because they break the covenant — a direct narrative/theological precedent for God’s anger at covenant breach in Judges 2:20.
- 2 Kings 17:18 (thematic): Explains the same pattern: the LORD is angry with Israel for covenant unfaithfulness and removes them (exile) — parallels Judges’ linking of divine wrath to covenant violation.
- Psalm 78:10 (verbal): Speaks of the people who 'kept not God's covenant' (or 'did not keep his covenant'), language closely matching Judges’ charge that the people transgressed the covenant commanded to their fathers.
- Psalm 78:59 (verbal): 'When God heard this, he was wroth' — the same image of God's wrath being kindled in response to Israel's sin, echoing the opening of Judges 2:20 ('ויחר אף יהוה').
- Ezekiel 20:8 (verbal): God recounts that 'they rebelled against me and would not hearken unto me,' using the same idea and similar language ('not hearkening to my voice') that appears in Judges 2:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel; and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not listened to my voice,
- Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not obeyed my voice,
Jud.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אוסיף: VERB,qal,imf,1,c,sg
- להוריש: VERB,hiph,inf
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עזב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 23:12-13 (verbal): Language and idea close to Judges 2:21: warns that the LORD will no longer drive out these nations and that they will become snares if Israel intermingles with them.
- Judges 3:1-4 (thematic): Explains that God left certain nations in the land to test Israel and to teach warfare—the theological rationale for not driving them out.
- Joshua 13:13 (verbal): Specifically records that Joshua (and Israel) could not drive out some inhabitants (they remained in the land), paralleling Judges' statement of incomplete dispossession.
- Judges 1:27-36 (structural): Catalogue of tribes' failures to expel Canaanite peoples—concrete instances that illustrate the incomplete conquest mentioned in Judges 2:21.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (thematic): Prescribes the command to dispossess the nations when entering the land; provides the legal/background expectation against which Judges 2:21's failure to expel is set.
Alternative generated candidates
- even I also will not henceforth drive out from before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died,
- I will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died,
Jud.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למען: PREP
- נסות: VERB,qal,inf
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- שמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
Parallels
- Exodus 16:4 (verbal): God expressly says he will "prove"/test Israel by providing manna to see whether they will walk in his law — closely parallels the language and purpose of testing in Judg 2:22.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (verbal): Moses teaches that the wilderness experience was to humble and "prove" Israel, to know whether they would keep God's commandments — a direct thematic and verbal echo of testing Israel's faithfulness.
- Judges 3:1-4 (structural): Immediate narrative reprise: the book explains that the nations left in the land were intended "to prove Israel" — a near-verbatim restatement and extension of the purpose described in Judg 2:22.
- Hebrews 3:9 (allusion): The NT recalls the fathers' testing in the wilderness ("they proved me") and warns against the same disobedience; alludes to the same motif of divine testing and Israel's failure reflected in Judges.
Alternative generated candidates
- that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it, as their fathers did, or not.”
- that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it, as their fathers kept it or not.”
Jud.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וינח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- הורישם: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- נתנם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.3.1-4 (structural): Direct continuation and explanation: these verses say the LORD left certain nations in the land to test Israel and teach warfare, explicating why they were not immediately dispossessed.
- Deut.7.22 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD driving out nations 'little by little' rather than all at once to prevent the land becoming desolate—language and rationale parallel the delayed dispossession in Judges 2:23.
- Josh.23.13 (thematic): Joshua warns that the LORD will no longer drive out remaining nations and that they will become snares to Israel—echoes the outcome and divine restraint noted in Judges 2:23.
- Judg.2.21 (verbal): Immediate context within Judges: God declares he will not drive these nations out from before the Israelites in a single year—closely parallels the statement that He 'left' the nations and did not give them into Joshua's hand.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the LORD left those nations, and did not drive them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
- So the LORD left those nations, not hastily to drive them out; and he did not deliver them into the hand of Joshua.
Jud.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הניח: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לנסות: VERB,qal,inf
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מלחמות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.3.2-4 (structural): Immediate continuation/expansion: explains that the nations were left so Israel might learn warfare and be tested and ensnared (same context and language).
- Judg.2.20-23 (thematic): Provides the broader narrative reason—because Israel transgressed the covenant, the LORD would no longer drive out certain nations, leading to ongoing conflict with them.
- Deut.7.1-2 (thematic): The Mosaic command to dispossess and destroy Canaanite nations; serves as the legal/ethical background contrasted with Judges’ report that some nations were left in the land.
- Deut.8.2 (verbal): Uses the language of God ‘testing’ Israel in the wilderness—parallels the motif and terminology of divine testing in Judg 3:1.
- Ps.106.34-36 (thematic): Psalm recounts Israel's failure to destroy the nations and the resulting syncretism and punishment—echoes the consequence-theme behind nations left among Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now these are the nations which the LORD left to test Israel—all those who had not known all the wars of Canaan;
- Now these are the nations that the LORD left to test Israel—those who had not known all the wars of Canaan;
Jud.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- למען: PREP
- דעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דרות: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ללמדם: VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רק: PRT
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לפנים: PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעום: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl,OBJ=3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judges 3:1 (structural): Immediate context: verse 1 states that the nations were left by YHWH to remain among Israel — 3:2 explicates one purpose (to teach warfare) within that structural introduction.
- Judges 2:21-23 (structural): Earlier summary of the judges-cycle: God permits nations to remain and raises judges to deliver Israel — provides the broader structural framework for the testing/education motif in 3:2.
- Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (thematic): Law on going out to battle and reliance on YHWH in warfare; thematically parallels the idea of instructing Israel in war and framing war under divine guidance.
- Judges 6:14-15 (thematic): Gideon is commissioned to fight despite his and Israel’s apparent weakness and inexperience — parallels the motif of God raising up and enabling inexperienced Israelites for warfare.
- 1 Samuel 8:19-20 (thematic): Israel’s demand for a king “that he may go out before us and fight our battles” reflects concern about military leadership and experience, thematically linked to teaching and providing for warfare in Judges 3:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- only that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught war, those who had not previously known it.
- only that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not known it formerly.
Jud.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חמשת: NUM,m,pl,cs
- סרני: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- והצידני: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הלבנון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
Parallels
- Genesis 10:15-18 (verbal): The Table of Nations lists the descendants of Canaan (including the Sidonians, Hivites, and related Canaanite groups); the same ethnic names appear in Judges 3:3.
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (thematic): Speaks of the nations (Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite, Jebusite) that Israel must dispossess; thematically related to Judges 3:3's catalogue of neighboring peoples left in the land.
- Judges 1:27-30 (structural): Earlier chapter in Judges describes Israel's failure to drive out Philistines and Canaanites and their continued residence in the land, paralleling the situation and list of peoples in Judges 3:3.
- Psalm 83:6 (thematic): A poetic catalogue of Israel's regional enemies includes Philistia and the inhabitants of Tyre/Sidon, echoing the same neighboring peoples named in Judges 3:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- The five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on the Lebanon, from Mount Baal‑hermon to the entrance of Hamath.
- The five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal‑hermon unto the entering of Hamath.
Jud.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לנסות: VERB,qal,inf
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדעת: VERB,qal,inf,-,-,-
- הישמעו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (verbal): Speaks of God 'proving' Israel 'to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments'—language and purpose closely parallel to Judges 3:4's testing to see if Israel will obey God's commandments.
- Exodus 16:4 (verbal): God declares he will 'prove' the people (by providing manna) 'whether they will walk in my law or not'—same verb/idea of testing obedience to God's law.
- Judges 2:22–23 (structural): An earlier summary in Judges that God left certain nations 'to prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD' and to see if they 'would obey the commandments... by the hand of Moses'—almost identical wording and function within the book.
- Judges 3:1–2 (thematic): Immediate context: God leaves foreign nations 'to teach warfare' and 'to prove Israel'—the same theological rationale (testing obedience and forming Israel) that is expressed again in 3:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- They were for testing Israel, to see whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
- They were left to be a test for Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the LORD which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
Jud.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בקרב: PREP
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- החתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והאמרי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- והפרזי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 15:19-21 (verbal): Lists the same Canaanite peoples (Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, Amorites) as inhabitants of the land—close verbal parallel in the catalogue of peoples.
- Deuteronomy 7:1 (verbal): Gives a similar list of nations (Hittite, Girgashite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite, Jebusite) that Israel is to dispossess—same typology of indigenous groups.
- Numbers 33:51-52 (verbal): God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land uses the same language and presupposes the same array of peoples as those among whom Israel settled in Judges 3:5.
- Judges 1:27-36 (thematic): Narrates Israel's failure to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants and the resulting situation of Israelites living among them—direct thematic and narrative parallel within Judges.
- Judges 2:11-15 (thematic): Explains the theological consequence of Israel living among the Canaanite peoples: turning to their gods and divine punishment—connects the social reality of Judges 3:5 to the book's recurring cycle.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
- And the children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
Jud.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בנותיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,prsuf=3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לנשים: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בנותיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,prsuf=3,m,pl
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לבניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,prsuf=3,m,pl
- ויעבדו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Judges 2:11-13 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: Israel’s pattern of committing evil and serving other gods after taking foreign wives—sets the overarching judges-cycle context for 3:6.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (verbal): Direct legal/theological background: prohibition of intermarriage with surrounding nations because they will turn Israel’s children to other gods—the explicit rationale echoed in Judges 3:6.
- Joshua 23:12-13 (thematic): Warning from Joshua that intermarriage with remaining Canaanite peoples will become snares and draw Israel into idolatry—same causal link between marriage and apostasy found in Judges 3:6.
- 1 Kings 11:1-4 (thematic): Solomon’s foreign marriages lead him to worship foreign gods; exemplifies the recurring motif that marrying foreign women results in turning to other deities, paralleling Judges 3:6’s consequence.
- Ezra 9:1-2 (allusion): Postexilic complaint about Israelites marrying foreign wives and thereby contaminating the covenant community—reflects the longstanding concern (as in Judges 3:6) that mixed marriages lead to religious compromise.
Alternative generated candidates
- They took their daughters for themselves as wives and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
- They took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons; and they served their gods.
And Joshua sent the people away, and the Israelites went, each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua, and throughout the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great deeds of the LORD that he had done for Israel. And Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of one hundred and ten years.
They buried him in his inheritance at Timnath‑heres on the mountain of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. And that whole generation was gathered to their fathers; and another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD or the works he had done for Israel.
The Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed other gods from the peoples around them; they bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger.
They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he gave them into the hands of plunderers who ravaged them; he sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, and they could not stand before their enemies.
Wherever the hand of the LORD came against them for harm, as the LORD had declared and as he had sworn to them, it pressed heavily upon them.
Then the LORD raised up judges, who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them.
Yet they would not listen to their judges; they prostituted themselves after other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned aside from the way their fathers had walked, who had heeded the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. But when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them from the hands of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.
When a judge died, they would return and be more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and to bow down to them; they did not abandon their deeds or their stubborn way.
Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he said, “Because this people have broken the covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not heeded my voice,
I will no longer drive out from before them any of the nations whom Joshua left when he died.
I will do this to test Israel by them, to know whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their fathers did, or not.” So the LORD left those nations to test Israel and to know whether they would obey the ways of the LORD; he did not thrust them out quickly, and he did not give them into Joshua’s hand.
These are the nations whom the LORD left to test Israel—those who had not known all the wars of Canaan:
only so that through them the generations of the Israelites might be taught warfare—those who had not known it before.
The five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the hill country of Lebanon, from Mount Baal‑hermon to Lebo‑hamath.
They were to test Israel, to see whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which he had commanded their fathers through Moses.
The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
They took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.