Judges 10:17 kjv
Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.
Judges 10:17 nkjv
Then the people of Ammon gathered together and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled together and encamped in Mizpah.
Judges 10:17 niv
When the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah.
Judges 10:17 esv
Then the Ammonites were called to arms, and they encamped in Gilead. And the people of Israel came together, and they encamped at Mizpah.
Judges 10:17 nlt
At that time the armies of Ammon had gathered for war and were camped in Gilead, and the people of Israel assembled and camped at Mizpah.
Judges 10 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 32:15-25 | "But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked... stirred them to jealousy..." | Idolatry brings God's judgment and oppression. |
| Jgs 10:6-9 | "And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord... he sold them..." | Immediate context of Israel's apostasy leading to Ammonite oppression. |
| Jgs 10:10-15 | "And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying... our souls from our enemies..." | Israel's confession of sin and desperate plea for divine help. |
| Jgs 10:16 | "And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved..." | Israel's repentance prompts God's compassion and readiness to act. |
| Ex 2:23-25 | "And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage... and God heard their groaning..." | God hears His people's cries in distress, similar to Israel under Ammon. |
| 1 Kgs 8:46-50 | "If they sin against thee... and repent, and make supplication unto thee..." | Solomon's prayer foresees repentance leading to restoration. |
| Neh 9:26-28 | "Nevertheless they were disobedient... therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies..." | Cycles of sin, oppression, and God's deliverance in Israel's history. |
| 1 Sam 7:5-6 | "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpah... there I will pray for you..." | Mizpah as a significant site for national assembly, repentance, and prayer before battle. |
| Jgs 20:1 | "Then all the children of Israel went out... gathered together as one man to Mizpah." | Mizpah as a gathering place for tribal unity and resolution, especially for conflict. |
| Jgs 3:27 | "And when he was come, he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim..." | Example of Israel gathering under a leader for military action. |
| Deut 20:1 | "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou..." | Preparation for war against a superior enemy. |
| Deut 20:4 | "For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you..." | God's promised presence in battle, providing victory. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." | Victory comes through God's power, not human strength, implied in Israel's reliance on God after repentance. |
| Psa 34:17 | "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." | God's faithfulness in hearing and delivering His people. |
| Psa 50:15 | "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." | Encouragement to call on God in distress for deliverance. |
| Isa 40:29-31 | "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength..." | God strengthens those who are helpless and wait on Him. |
| Hos 5:1 | "Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel... for judgment is toward you to Mizpah..." | Mizpah linked to national judgment or significant events. |
| Eph 4:3 | "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." | Reflects the unity required for the Israelites to face their foes. |
| Jgs 2:16 | "Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them..." | The Lord's consistent method of raising up leaders for deliverance. |
| 1 Sam 10:17 | "And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpah..." | Mizpah continues to be a central place for assembling Israel under divine direction. |
| Jer 4:5-6 | "Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem... set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil..." | A call to national assembly and preparation for imminent threat. |
| Judg 6:34-35 | "But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon... and he blew a trumpet... and Abi-ezer was gathered after him." | Example of a divine call to rally people for war. |
| Num 27:15-17 | "Let the LORD... set a man over the congregation... which may lead them out, and which may bring them in..." | Moses' prayer for a leader to guide the nation, highlighting the need for someone to "bring them in and out" (military leadership). |
Judges 10 verses
Judges 10 17 Meaning
Judges 10:17 marks a pivotal moment where the Ammonite oppressors and the subjugated Israelites prepare for a confrontation. The verse details the two opposing forces gathering for war. The Ammonites encamp in Gilead, a territory east of the Jordan River that they had long troubled. Concurrently, the Israelites, after expressing repentance to God, assemble at Mizpah, also in Gilead, indicating their resolve to face the threat and signaling a renewed national unity against their foe. This assembly follows a period of intense divine discipline and Israel's plea for deliverance.
Judges 10 17 Context
Judges chapter 10 recounts Israel's persistent cycle of sin, divine judgment through foreign oppression, and eventual repentance leading to God's compassion. Following the deaths of Tola and Jair, the Ammonites and Philistines oppressed Israel severely, particularly the tribes east of the Jordan (Gilead). This oppressive period spanned eighteen years due to Israel abandoning Yahweh and serving the Baals and Ashtoreth. Driven to desperation, the Israelites confessed their sin, put away their foreign gods, and began to serve the Lord. This act of genuine repentance deeply moved God, who had grown weary of their affliction. Verse 17 depicts the immediate aftermath of this repentance: the two primary adversaries – the Ammonites and the repentant Israelites – assembling their forces for a confrontation, setting the stage for the narrative of Jephthah's leadership. Historically, Mizpah (often 'Mizpah of Gilead') was a significant tribal meeting place, suggesting its strategic importance and common use for national gatherings, especially in times of crisis or for judicial/religious purposes. The dual gathering signifies an escalation of conflict, directly tied to Israel's renewed commitment to God.
Judges 10 17 Word analysis
- Then: Signifies a direct consequence or next logical step following Israel's repentance (Jgs 10:16).
- the children of Ammon: Refers to the descendants of Ammon, Lot's younger son, who became a nation antagonistic to Israel (Gen 19:38). They represent a continuous threat throughout Judges.
- were gathered together: The Hebrew verb used here for Ammon is וַיֵּאָסְפוּ (wayye'āsephū), a Niphal (passive/reflexive) perfect of the root אָסַף ('asaf), meaning "to gather, collect, bring in." This implies they spontaneously or collectively assembled, emphasizing their unified hostile intent. Their gathering is proactive aggression.
- and encamped: Hebrew וַיַּחֲנוּ (wayyaḥănû), from חָנָה (ḥanah), "to encamp, pitch a tent, lay siege." This term indicates a military positioning, signifying preparation for battle or siege.
- in Gilead: Refers to the region east of the Jordan River. It was fertile land settled by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh. Gilead was a primary target of Ammonite oppression and thus the natural battleground (Jgs 10:8).
- And the children of Israel: The covenant people of God, often disobedient yet ultimately recipients of His grace.
- assembled themselves together: The Hebrew verb here is נִקְבְּצוּ (niqbəṣû), a Niphal perfect of the root קָבַץ (qabats), meaning "to collect, assemble, gather." Similar in meaning to 'asaf, its usage for Israel emphasizes their unity and responsive gathering. Their assembly is a defensive measure and an act of faith.
- and encamped: Same verb חָנָה (ḥanah) as used for Ammon, showing they also established a military position.
- in Mizpah: Also spelled Mizpeh. A significant high place in Gilead (often "Mizpah of Gilead"). This site frequently served as a central meeting place for Israel, associated with national decisions, religious gatherings, and military preparations (Jgs 11:11, 1 Sam 7:5-6). Its selection underscores the gravity of the impending conflict and a seeking of divine guidance.
- "the children of Ammon were gathered... in Gilead": This phrase highlights the organized aggression of the enemy, bringing the conflict to the heart of the oppressed territory. It sets the scene for a direct military confrontation, emphasizing the reality of the threat Israel faced.
- "the children of Israel assembled... in Mizpah": This second clause mirrors the first, but with a crucial distinction. After their repentance, Israel's assembly is an act of determined response. Their choice of Mizpah suggests seeking divine intervention, reflecting a shift from chaotic disunity to focused readiness under God (1 Sam 7:5-6). This is their collective strategic move to counter the enemy, showing newfound resolve.
Judges 10 17 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of the Ammonites "gathering" and "encamping" in Israel's territory versus Israel "assembling" and "encamping" to face them is a powerful literary device. It signals a shift in the balance of power, or at least in Israel's mindset. Before this, Israel was fractured and subservient, lacking unified action. Here, a common threat, coupled with collective repentance, compels them into solidarity. Mizpah, meaning "watchtower" or "outlook," served as a natural defensive and observation point. Historically, it held great spiritual significance for Israel as a place for covenant renewals, mourning, and significant national decisions (e.g., Jacob and Laban's covenant in Gen 31; Saul proclaimed king in 1 Sam 10). Their assembly there suggests more than just military readiness; it implies a spiritual recalibration before battle, mirroring the earlier communal putting away of foreign gods. This assembly is a testament to God's continued patience with His people, even after repeated apostasy. It also anticipates the next critical need for a judge to lead this assembled army, which will be the topic of the following verse (Jgs 10:18).
Judges 10 17 Commentary
Judges 10:17 depicts a direct outcome of the events in the preceding verses. The Ammonites' gathering in Gilead demonstrates their continued aggression and intent to solidify their oppressive grip. Simultaneously, Israel's assembly in Mizpah is a critical turning point. This is no longer merely crying out to God from distress, but taking an active, unified step towards military engagement, empowered by their recent repentance and God's compassionate response (Jgs 10:16). Mizpah's strategic location in Gilead signifies their resolve to reclaim their territory. The duality of "gathered together" and "encamped" for both parties highlights the impending head-on clash. Israel's decision to encamp signals a preparedness that stems from national solidarity and reliance on God, reflecting that true repentance leads to not only a changed heart but also resolute action. The scene sets the stage for a leader (Jephthah) to emerge from within Israel to direct this assembled force, moving the narrative from general national suffering to a specific, decisive confrontation.