Judges 2:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

NIV: Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.

NASB: Then the Lord raised up judges who saved them from the hands of those who plundered them.

CSB: The Lord raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders,

NLT: Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers.

KJV: Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

NKJV: Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.

Everything between Judges 2:6 and Judges 3:6 is an introduction. This segment of the Old Testament summarizes the pattern of God's relationship with the Israelites in their early years in Canaan. Verses 16 through 23 give a concise rundown of the cycle Israel will experience for the next several centuries. They abandoned God to worship idols, following the horrific evils of the Canaanites (Judges 2:11–15). In righteous anger, the Lord allowed Israel to be hammered by her enemies until she could not even stand.

This does not mean God completely abandoned Israel. The nation was not allowed to die or dissolve. Rather, when the people reached a point of terrible distress, God would send a rescuer, or group of rescuers. These figures are labeled using the Hebrew term sōpetim', from the root word shaphat. This expression is translated into English as "judge," but carries a much broader meaning. The original word includes concepts such as vindication, vengeance, defense, rescue, and advocacy.

These figures were leaders wielding power in civic, military, and spiritual ways. Each served their purpose in a unique manner. Their primary role was as "deliverers;" they were not necessarily presiding over courts of law. In some cases, they were called on to render judgment. For the most part, the "judges" were men and women supernaturally enabled by God to save Israel from oppression by other nations. Famous names associated with these Old Testament heroes include Samson (Judges 13—16), Gideon (Judges 6—8), and Deborah (Judges 4—5).

The chapters to follow describe a pattern consistent between the careers of each judge. Israel will abandon God and participate in idolatry and sin. The weakened nation will suffer and fall to an oppressive enemy. When Israel cries out, God will send a "judge" to rescue the nation, to save Israel from their antagonists and their sinful ways. Eventually, when the judge dies, Israel will again slide into the moral abyss; the cycle will begin again. Each time, Israel's path sinks lower and lower, spiraling down into catastrophe (Judges 21:25).

Judges 2:16–23 describes the pattern developed and repeated after the death of Joshua. The Israelites begin with freedom and faithfulness towards God. Then they fall into idolatry and sin. In response, they are overcome by their enemies. When the suffering of the Israelites becomes great, God raises up judges—military and civic leaders—to save Israel from their enemies. When the judge dies, the Israelites soon return to their sinful worship of Canaan's gods. Each time, Israel's idolatry worsens, and their faith becomes weaker.

The tribes of Israel committed great sin when they failed to drive the depraved, wicked Canaanites from the land. God rebukes them harshly, warning them of the consequences to follow. The people weep and offer sacrifices. And yet, the generations after Joshua abandon God. They worship false gods and perform heinous sins. The Lord burns with anger and uses Israel's enemies as punishment. When the suffering becomes intense, God rescues Israel through a human "judge." When the judge dies, the people return to their sin, deeper even than before.

Judges 2 follows reports about the failure of Israel to drive the Canaanites from each tribes' territories. Despite being rebuked by God, the generations after Joshua eventually abandon the Lord to worship the gods of the Canaanites: the Baals and the Ashtaroth. This establishes a pattern to be repeated in the chapters to come. Israel will worship Canaan's gods. God punishes the people through their enemies. God saves the people through a human judge. When the judge dies, the people return to their sin. This cycle continues throughout the rest of the book of Judges.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).