Judges 11 20

Judges 11:20 kjv

But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Judges 11:20 nkjv

But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together, encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

Judges 11:20 niv

Sihon, however, did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. He mustered all his troops and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel.

Judges 11:20 esv

but Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory, so Sihon gathered all his people together and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel.

Judges 11:20 nlt

But King Sihon didn't trust Israel to pass through his land. Instead, he mobilized his army at Jahaz and attacked them.

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 20 Meaning

Judges 11:20 explains the decisive action of Sihon, king of the Amorites, in response to Israel’s peaceful request for passage through his land. He unequivocally refused permission for Israel to traverse his territory, thereby demonstrating his opposition. Furthermore, Sihon fortified this refusal by mobilizing his entire army, encamping them at Jahaz, and actively engaging Israel in battle. This verse sets the immediate stage for the inevitable conflict and God’s subsequent intervention on behalf of His people.

Judges 11 20 Context

Judges 11:20 is situated within Jephthah's dealings with the Ammonites concerning their territorial claims against Israel. The verse is part of Jephthah's historical and theological argument presented to the king of the Ammonites, aiming to legitimize Israel’s long-held possession of land east of the Jordan, particularly the territory once belonging to Sihon, king of the Amorites. Jephthah recounts a foundational episode from Israel's wilderness wanderings (Numbers 21; Deuteronomy 2), emphasizing that Israel initially sought peaceful passage through Sihon's territory. This historical account counters Ammonite aggression by demonstrating that Israel was not the initial aggressor but acted in self-defense under divine direction. Historically, Sihon's Amorite kingdom was a formidable entity that bordered Ammon. His refusal to allow Israel passage and subsequent military action, described in this verse, were interpreted by Israel as divinely ordained circumstances leading to God's judgment on Sihon and the transfer of his land to Israel. This was not merely a military conquest but a sovereign act of Yahweh to fulfill His promises to Israel and punish an unrepentant people.

Judges 11 20 Word analysis

• But Sihon (וְסִיחֹ֖ון - wəSîḥōwn): "Sihon" was the king of the Amorites, a dominant tribal group in Canaan, renowned for their power and fortified cities. His capital was Heshbon. In this context, his name signifies a powerful ruler opposing God's people. Jephthah emphasizes Sihon’s independent, hostile decision to initiate conflict, not Israel.
• did not trust / did not permit (הֶאֱמִין - he'ěmîn, but usually נָתַן - nātan in Hifil meaning 'permit'): The Hebrew verb here is usually translated as 'give' or 'permit' (from nathan, but some traditions/translations interpret it in Hifil as 'to trust' aman meaning 'he did not trust', i.e., Sihon did not find it credible for Israel to pass peacefully. More literally from nathan, it indicates "he did not give permission" for Israel to pass through. Regardless, the nuance implies Sihon's rejection was an act of distrust and deliberate opposition. This refusal stemmed from his pride and was ultimately part of God's sovereign plan to harden his heart, ensuring his downfall (Deut 2:30).
• Israel to pass through his territory (לַעֲבֹר בִּגְבֻלֹו - laʿăḇōr biḡḇulōw): "To pass through his territory" signifies Israel's original, non-confrontational request for peaceful transit, following a path God commanded for them. This detail highlights that the land was not initially sought by force but came as a consequence of Sihon's hostile response.
• so Sihon gathered (וַיֶּאֱסֹף סִיחֹון - wayyeʾĕsōf Sîḥōwn): The verb asaf (אסף) means 'to gather' or 'collect,' often used in the context of assembling armies for battle. This denotes a deliberate and organized military act by Sihon, demonstrating clear intent for confrontation. It was not a spontaneous skirmish but a prepared engagement.
• all his people together (אֶת־כָּל־עַמֹּו - ʾeṯ-kol-ʿammōw): This emphasizes the total commitment of Sihon's kingdom to the ensuing conflict. It signifies a full mobilization, showcasing Sihon's might and determination to resist Israel. This contrasts with Israel's peaceful intent, portraying Sihon as the aggressor.
• encamped in Jahaz (וַיִּחַן בְּיָ֑הְצָה - wayyiḥan bəyāhṣâ): "Jahaz" was a strategically significant location on the border of the Amorite territory, east of the Jordan. Encamping there was a tactical move, preparing for an inevitable battle. It's identified as the very location of the decisive confrontation (Num 21:23).
• and fought with Israel (וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל - wayyilāḥem bəyiśrāʾēl): The verb laḥam (לחם) means 'to fight' or 'to wage war.' This states the climactic hostile action by Sihon, validating Israel's defensive response. This act was the trigger for God's judgment and the subsequent transfer of land to Israel.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory": This phrase encapsulates Sihon's defiant and uncooperative posture. It highlights that the subsequent conflict was precipitated by Sihon's active rejection of a reasonable, peaceful request. The divine aspect of Sihon's heart being hardened (as elaborated in Deut 2:30) is foundational here, implying that his rejection served God's predetermined purpose to judge him and open the way for Israel.
  • "so Sihon gathered all his people together, encamped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel": This sequence of actions vividly portrays Sihon's progression from mere refusal to overt hostility. It demonstrates his strategic planning for battle ("gathered... encamped") and culminates in direct military engagement ("fought with Israel"). This underscores the narrative that Sihon was the aggressor, legitimizing Israel's subsequent conquest of his land as divinely ordained warfare, not unprovoked invasion.

Judges 11 20 Bonus section

The narrative of Sihon’s refusal and subsequent defeat holds deep theological significance for the concept of Yahweh as a divine warrior and covenant-keeping God. Sihon's defiance, leading to his judgment, serves as a vivid illustration that no human ruler or kingdom can thwart God's plans for His people. The "hardening" of Sihon's heart parallels that of Pharaoh, both demonstrating God’s sovereign control over even the wills of ungodly rulers to accomplish His purposes (Rom 9:18; Prov 21:1). Jephthah's recital of this historical event emphasizes divine authorization as the basis for land ownership in Israel. This account provided legal and theological precedent not just for the battle with Ammon but for understanding Israel’s identity and their divinely ordained place among nations. The conquest of Sihon's territory was viewed as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness and power, deeply ingrained in the nation's historical memory, often celebrated in their songs and narratives (Ps 135:10-11).

Judges 11 20 Commentary

Judges 11:20 succinctly details the turning point in Israel's encounter with Sihon, the Amorite king, as presented within Jephthah’s defense. This verse serves as a crucial point of reference to establish that Israel’s possession of Sihon’s territory was not through an aggressive land-grab, but rather a consequence of Sihon’s direct opposition to a peaceful request. Sihon’s refusal to permit passage and his proactive gathering of forces for battle at Jahaz underscores his intent to challenge Israel, implicitly challenging the God who guided them. From a biblical perspective, this rejection and subsequent military aggression by Sihon were not arbitrary. Deuteronomy 2:30 reveals God's active hand in hardening Sihon's spirit and obstinating his heart. This divine intervention ensured Sihon's direct confrontation with Israel, allowing God to execute His judgment upon the Amorites and fulfill His promise to Israel regarding the land. Thus, Sihon’s hostile acts detailed here, though seemingly of his own volition, were sovereignly orchestrated by God to secure His people's inheritance and demonstrate His power and justice. The verse establishes the foundational principle for Israel’s claim: Yahweh dispossessed nations (like the Amorites) who defied His will, and the land became rightfully Israel's by divine grant, not by human conquest alone.