Judges 10 16

Judges 10:16 kjv

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Judges 10:16 nkjv

So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.

Judges 10:16 niv

Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And he could bear Israel's misery no longer.

Judges 10:16 esv

So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel.

Judges 10:16 nlt

Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the LORD. And he was grieved by their misery.

Judges 10 verses

Judges 10 16 Meaning

Judges 10:16 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's relationship with God, following their repentance. The verse highlights two core actions of the Israelites: the tangible removal of their foreign gods and a renewed commitment to serving the Lord alone. These acts of genuine repentance move God to compassionate action. Despite His earlier stern words and Israel's long history of faithlessness, the verse emphatically states that the Lord's "soul was distressed" or "could bear the misery of Israel no longer," signaling a turning point from divine judgment towards divine deliverance, prompted by their authentic turning back to Him.

Judges 10 16 Context

Judges 10:16 occurs at a critical juncture within the "cycle of Judges" which frequently repeats throughout the book: Israel turns from the Lord (apostasy), the Lord allows oppression (judgment), Israel cries out to the Lord (repentance), and the Lord raises a deliverer (deliverance). Prior to this verse, the Israelites, having abandoned the Lord for foreign gods (Jdg 10:6), suffer under the oppression of the Ammonites and Philistines (Jdg 10:7-8). When they finally cry out to God for deliverance, God, exasperated by their repeated unfaithfulness, initially refuses, telling them to appeal to the gods they have chosen (Jdg 10:11-14). However, the Israelites acknowledge their sin, pledge to return to the Lord, and critically, demonstrate this by actively "putting away" their foreign gods. This decisive act marks a turning point from mere verbal repentance to concrete obedience, prompting God's renewed compassion despite His earlier severity. The historical context reflects Israel's struggles in maintaining monotheism amidst polytheistic Canaanite culture, highlighting the perpetual temptation of syncretism.

Judges 10 16 Word analysis

• So they put away (וַיָּסֻרוּ – vayyasuru): From the root סוּר (sur), meaning "to turn aside," "to remove," "to depart." This implies an active, intentional, and complete removal or elimination. It is not just a mental change, but a physical action signifying a break from their idolatrous practices. This points to genuine, not superficial, repentance. The turning from something false allows for the turning to something true.
• the foreign gods (אֱלֹהֵי הַנֵּכָר – elohei hannekhar): Literally "gods of the foreigner/stranger." This highlights their alien nature, not merely culturally, but relationally—these gods were not YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. This phrase underscores the fundamental violation of the first commandment (Exod 20:3), and the spiritual impurity they had invited into their lives and land. The polemic is against all forms of idolatry, asserting that Yahweh alone is the true God.
• from among them (מִקִּרְבָּם – miqqirbam): Emphasizes that the removal was internal to their community, pervasive. It indicates a communal and thorough cleansing, moving beyond individual conviction to a collective reformation within their homes and towns.
• and served (וַיַּעַבְדוּ – vayya’avdu): From the root עָבַד ('avad), meaning "to serve," "to worship," "to work." This signifies a switch from their former allegiance. It implies active and continuous worship, dedication, and obedience to the new master, Yahweh. It is the counterpoint to putting away the foreign gods.
• the LORD (יְהוָה – YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, indicating His faithful and steadfast character as the God who reveals Himself and enters into relationship with His people. Serving YHWH implicitly means adhering to His laws and His exclusive worship, a contrast to serving other deities.
• and He could bear...no longer (וַתִּקְצַר נַפְשׁוֹ – vattitsar nafsho): Literally, "and His soul/being was shortened." This is a powerful anthropomorphic expression conveying deep emotional distress, anguish, or impatience on God's part. It depicts God as profoundly grieved by the suffering of His people, to the point that His internal fortitude or patience reached its limit. This isn't divine weakness, but rather an intense, empathetic compassion that compelled Him to act. It mirrors similar expressions of God's 'grief' over humanity's sin or 'relenting' from intended judgment.
• the misery of Israel (בַּעֲמַל יִשְׂרָאֵל – ba'amal Yisrael): "Misery" ('amal) here refers to distress, trouble, toil, affliction, suffering, often linked to hard labor or grievous experience. It's the hardship Israel experienced under the hand of their oppressors, which was a direct consequence of their sin. This verse highlights God's empathy not just for their spiritual condition but also their tangible, physical suffering.

Words-group analysis:

• "So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD": This phrase details the tangible evidence of Israel's genuine repentance. It illustrates the dual action required for turning to God: renouncing what is false (idolatry) and re-committing to what is true (serving Yahweh). This embodies the essence of teshuvah (returning), a fundamental concept in biblical faith, which requires both negative (ceasing from sin) and positive (doing God's will) actions.
• "and He could bear the misery of Israel no longer": This section reveals God's profound, visceral response to their actions. It demonstrates His ultimate mercy and compassion, underscoring that His heart is moved by His people's sincere turning and suffering. Despite His righteous anger and previous declarations, His inherent love and covenant faithfulness prevail when faced with a true change of heart, signifying His character as longsuffering and abounding in steadfast love.

Judges 10 16 Bonus section

The concept of God's "soul being shortened" (qāṣar nep̄eš) is a powerful anthropomorphism, not signifying limited power, but rather a profound depth of emotion—distress, weariness, or grief. It is similar to other biblical expressions where God 'grieves' (Gen 6:6) or 'relents' (Joel 2:13) over the state of His creation or people. This illustrates God's active emotional engagement with humanity and underscores the biblical truth that repentance can indeed change the course of divine interaction, moving God from righteous indignation to profound compassion and deliverance. It highlights God's sovereignty blended with His relational character. This emotional response of God shows the deeply personal nature of His covenant relationship with Israel.

Judges 10 16 Commentary

Judges 10:16 represents the decisive moment of turning in Israel's often-tumultuous relationship with God. After His stern refusal to deliver them, stating that their false gods should rescue them, Israel's immediate response is not just a verbal confession of sin but a radical, demonstrable commitment to reform. "Putting away the foreign gods" signifies a definitive, concrete rejection of syncretism and idolatry. This was not a passive intellectual acknowledgment, but an active, physical removal of cultic objects, reflecting a comprehensive repentance that permeates the community. This action paved the way for "serving the LORD," signifying a renewed allegiance and exclusive worship of the one true God.

Crucially, this verse pivots on God's internal response to Israel's repentance and distress. The anthropomorphic phrase "He could bear the misery of Israel no longer" expresses profound divine compassion. It vividly portrays God's pain at His people's suffering, conveying that His love ultimately overrides His just judgment when genuine repentance is evident. This does not mean God is weak or inconsistent, but rather reveals the depth of His longsuffering and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, ultimately fulfilling His role as a merciful Deliverer despite their recurrent unfaithfulness. The verse sets the stage for God's raising of Jephthah, demonstrating that Israel's authentic turn initiates God's renewed grace.