Judges 11 17

Judges 11:17 kjv

Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

Judges 11:17 nkjv

Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, "Please let me pass through your land." But the king of Edom would not heed. And in like manner they sent to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel remained in Kadesh.

Judges 11:17 niv

Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Give us permission to go through your country,' but the king of Edom would not listen. They sent also to the king of Moab, and he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh.

Judges 11:17 esv

Israel then sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let us pass through your land,' but the king of Edom would not listen. And they sent also to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel remained at Kadesh.

Judges 11:17 nlt

they sent messengers to the king of Edom asking for permission to pass through his land. But their request was denied. Then they asked the king of Moab for similar permission, but he wouldn't let them pass through either. So the people of Israel stayed in Kadesh.

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 17 Meaning

Judges 11:17 recounts a critical historical detail referenced by Jephthah: Israel's initial peaceful attempts to secure passage through the lands of Edom and Moab during their wilderness wanderings, and the subsequent categorical refusal by both nations. This forced Israel to remain at Kadesh, marking a significant delay and requiring an alternate route to the Promised Land. The verse highlights the hostile and uncooperative stance of Israel's kin-nations and serves as a historical preface to Jephthah's argument concerning the divine grant of land to Israel.

Judges 11 17 Context

Judges chapter 11 narrates the story of Jephthah, a mighty warrior and the son of a harlot, who is called by the elders of Gilead to deliver them from the oppressive Ammonites. When Jephthah challenges the Ammonite king about his aggression against Israelite territory, the king claims Israel unjustly seized his land during the Exodus. Verse 17 is a crucial part of Jephthah's historical rebuttal (Judg 11:12-28). He recounts Israel's wilderness journey, emphasizing their peaceful intentions and reliance on divine guidance rather than conquest for the Ammonite land. Jephthah specifically highlights that Israel did not forcibly take Edomite or Moabite land, even when they were refused passage, demonstrating Israel's respect for boundaries. This narrative sets the stage for Jephthah to argue that the land in question (between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers) was given to Israel by God after the Amorite king Sihon refused passage and initiated war, thereby justifying Israel's possession. The verse, therefore, underpins Israel's claim to territory by demonstrating their historical respect for others' land rights, contrasting with the Ammonite king's false accusations and present aggression.

Judges 11 17 Word analysis

• Then Israel sent messengers:

  • Israel: Represents the collective nation, embodying the will of its leaders, Moses and Aaron, at the time.
  • Sent: (Hebrew: שָׁלַח, shalakh) Implies dispatching with a specific purpose, often involving authority. This was a formal act of diplomacy.
  • Messengers: (Hebrew: מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh) The same word is used for "angel." This underscores the official and solemn nature of the diplomatic envoy. It was not a casual request but a formal governmental communication. This detail signifies Israel's adherence to customary diplomatic protocols of the ancient Near East.

• to the king of Edom:

  • King: (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ, melech) Denotes the supreme ruling authority, implying the decision was sovereign and binding for Edom.
  • Edom: Descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. Despite the familial connection (Gen 36:1), their relationship with Israel was often characterized by hostility and lack of hospitality, foreshadowed in their ancestor Esau's initial violent intent toward Jacob.

• saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land.’:

  • Please: A plea, signifying a humble and peaceful request, not a demand.
  • Pass through: (Hebrew: עָבַר, 'avar) To cross over or go through. This was a request for a peaceful transit, indicating no intent to settle or conquer Edomite territory, only to proceed to their divinely appointed land.
  • Your land: Explicitly recognizing Edomite sovereignty over their territory. This directly counters later claims (like Ammon's in Judg 11) that Israel took land unjustly.

• But the king of Edom would not listen.:

  • Would not listen: (Hebrew: לֹא אָבָה, lo 'avah) A strong refusal, indicating an unwillingness to consent, concede, or allow. This is not mere inattention but an obstinate rejection, rooted in hostility or suspicion. It implies a stubborn, uncooperative posture.

• And they also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent.:

  • Moab: Descendants of Lot (Gen 19:37), kinsmen to Israel (though through an unholy union). Their similar refusal reinforces a pattern of regional hostility towards Israel by their semi-related neighbors, who likely perceived Israel's nomadic host as a threat.
  • Would not consent: Again, lo 'avah, mirroring Edom's refusal. This repetition emphasizes the consistent, unyielding opposition faced by Israel and the non-violent nature of Israel's initial approach to these nations.

• So Israel remained in Kadesh. :

  • Remained: (Hebrew: יָשַׁב, yashav) To stay, dwell, sit. This word implies a compelled cessation of movement, a prolonged halt. Israel was stuck.
  • Kadesh: Kadesh-barnea (Num 20:1, Dt 1:46). A highly significant location where Israel had already spent many years due to the first generation's disobedience (Num 13-14). Their inability to proceed past Edom and Moab kept them confined to this wilderness area, delaying their entry into the Promised Land further. It highlights a time of struggle and constraint.

Judges 11 17 Bonus section

The account of Edom's and Moab's refusal (from Num 20-21) and its repetition here in Judges 11 is not merely historical recounting, but serves several thematic purposes:

1. Legal Justification: It forms part of a historical brief (forensic argument) to legitimize Israel's claim to the land of Transjordan, particularly the land taken from the Amorites (not from Moab or Ammon originally). Jephthah emphasizes Israel's consistent policy of peaceful engagement first, and God-sanctioned war only when provoked after peaceful efforts failed.
2. Divine Providence: Despite the hostility, God's protection ensured Israel completed their journey. He provided another way, demonstrating His faithfulness even when human pathways were blocked (Num 21:4).
3. Nature of Kingship: The refusal by the kings of Edom and Moab (who were not "king" in a unified national sense until later, but likely ruling sheikhs or tribal leaders at this nomadic period) underscores their independent, hostile wills, contrasting with Israel's submission to YHWH's will.
4. Kinship Betrayal: The actions of Edom and Moab highlight the recurring biblical theme of sibling rivalry and betrayal (Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau), where kinship does not guarantee amity, especially when nations stray from honoring God's chosen people.
5. Later Consequences: The long-standing hostility shown by Moab and Ammon in refusing provisions and hindering Israel's progress (even attempting to curse them via Balaam, Num 22-24) would lead to their perpetual exclusion from the Lord's assembly as outlined in Deuteronomy 23:3-6. This highlights how their initial, seemingly minor, refusal of passage had lasting spiritual and political implications.

Judges 11 17 Commentary

Judges 11:17 provides a critical historical flashback in Jephthah's argument with the Ammonite king. It underlines Israel's peaceful intentions during their Exodus journey. Before any conflict, Israel, guided by God and Moses, sought diplomatic passage through the settled lands of Edom and Moab. These were not foreign, unconnected peoples, but kinsmen by ancestry—Edomites from Esau and Moabites from Lot. Despite these familial ties, both nations unequivocally refused to grant passage, threatening force. This compelled Israel to a long, arduous detour and a prolonged stay at Kadesh, a place already symbolic of delay and consequence. The verse demonstrates that Israel did not initiate hostility or usurp land from these nations, but rather patiently circumnavigated them when their peaceful requests were denied. This sets a precedent for Jephthah's later justification of Israel's possession of Amorite land, which only occurred after King Sihon initiated war. The verse quietly portrays Israel's respect for boundaries and reliance on God's provision for their path, rather than immediate aggressive action, even in the face of fraternal animosity.