Judges 11 26

Judges 11:26 kjv

While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?

Judges 11:26 nkjv

While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its villages, in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities along the banks of the Arnon, for three hundred years, why did you not recover them within that time?

Judges 11:26 niv

For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn't you retake them during that time?

Judges 11:26 esv

While Israel lived in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, 300 years, why did you not deliver them within that time?

Judges 11:26 nlt

"Israel has been living here for 300 years, inhabiting Heshbon and its surrounding settlements, all the way to Aroer and its settlements, and in all the towns along the Arnon River. Why have you made no effort to recover it before now?

Judges 11 verses

Judges 11 26 Meaning

Judges 11:26 is part of Jephthah's diplomatic message to the Ammonite king. It asserts Israel's ancient, prolonged, and legitimate possession of the lands in question, specifically Heshbon, Aroer, and surrounding villages. This declaration, spanning three centuries, challenges the Ammonite king's territorial claim, arguing that if the land were truly theirs, they should have attempted to reclaim it earlier during Israel's lengthy occupation, thereby invalidating their current demands.

Judges 11 26 Context

This verse is situated within Jephthah's lengthy and well-reasoned defense against the Ammonite king's baseless claim on Israelite territory (Judges 11:12-28). The Ammonites accused Israel of seizing their land when they came up from Egypt. Jephthah, as the chosen leader of Gilead, articulates a comprehensive historical and theological rebuttal. He meticulously details Israel's journey, their non-aggression towards Moab or Ammon (vv. 15, 17-18), and their legitimate conquest of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who occupied the disputed lands (vv. 19-21). This verse (v. 26) specifically highlights the length of Israel's undisputed occupation—three centuries—as proof of their divine right and established legal claim. This long tenure effectively neutralizes the Ammonite king's contemporary claim by appealing to a principle of ancient possession, suggesting that had the land truly belonged to Ammon, they would have contended for it much earlier. Historically, the area east of the Jordan River was often contested due to its strategic importance and fertility, making long-standing peaceful possession a significant claim to legitimacy. Jephthah’s argument also contains an indirect polemic against pagan deities by contrasting Israel's God, Yahweh, with Chemosh (v. 24), suggesting that if Chemosh could not protect their supposed lands for 300 years, he was inferior to Yahweh who empowered Israel's enduring claim.

Judges 11 26 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה, wə‘attah): Introduces the logical conclusion or summation of Jephthah's argument, bringing it to a pivotal point.
• Have you lived (yāšaḇtā): From the Hebrew verb יָשַׁב (yashab), meaning "to sit, dwell, inhabit, remain." Implies not merely transient presence but settled, permanent residence and occupation, establishing a deep-rooted presence.
• in Heshbon (בְּחֶשְׁבּוֹן, bəḥešbôn): Heshbon was a prominent Amorite city, captured by Israel from King Sihon (Num 21:26). Its strategic location and historical significance make it a key example of the disputed territory.
• and its villages (וּבִגְדֹתֶיהָ, uvīgəṯōteyha): Hebrew for "and its daughters," (בָּנוֹת, bānôt). This idiom refers to dependent towns or satellite villages, indicating the extent of Heshbon’s territory.
• and in Aroer (וּבַעֲרֹעֵר, uva‘ărō‘ēr): Aroer was another important city on the Arnon River, marking a southern boundary (Deut 2:36). Its mention reinforces the scope of Israel's long-term occupation.
• and its villages (וּבִגְדֹתֶיהָ, uvīgəṯōteyha): Same as above, extending the geographical scope.
• and in all the cities (וּבְכָל-הֶעָרִים, uvəkhol he‘ārîm): Broadens the claim beyond Heshbon and Aroer, indicating full dominion over the entire region formerly belonging to Sihon.
• that are along (אֲשֶׁר עַל-יְדֵי, ‘asher ‘al yədey): "Which are at the hands of" or "which are beside/alongside," indicating proximity to the Arnon river.
• the Arnon (אַרְנוֹן, ‘arnon): The Arnon River served as a natural and historically recognized boundary between Moab/Ammon and Israel's territory. Specifying its proximity further defines the disputed area.
• three hundred years (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה, šəlôš mê’ôt šānāh): Hebrew for "three hundreds of years." This number is not necessarily a precise chronological calculation but signifies a very long and ancient period, establishing an unchallenged tenure. It serves as powerful legal and historical evidence for legitimate possession through long occupation. It signifies undisturbed dominion, indicating prior claims had effectively expired or never existed.

Words-group analysis

• "And now have you lived... three hundred years": This phrase functions as a rhetorical question, challenging the Ammonite king's claim directly by pointing out the unreasonableness of a demand after such a prolonged and undisputed occupation. It implicitly suggests, "Why didn't you try to reclaim it during this vast period?"
• "in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are along the Arnon": This expansive geographical enumeration clearly defines the extent of the land in question and reinforces the broad scope of Israel's possession. It shows meticulous attention to detail in Jephthah's argument. The mention of Heshbon, Aroer, and the Arnon frames the exact disputed area, emphasizing its ancient acquisition from the Amorites rather than Ammon.

Judges 11 26 Bonus section

The "three hundred years" is a key chronological marker within the book of Judges. While its exact calculation can be debated by scholars, its primary purpose here is rhetorical and theological: to emphasize the ancient legitimacy of Israel's claim. This long period highlights the stability of their presence, contrasting sharply with the Ammonite's sudden, late claim. It functions as a legal principle akin to "adverse possession" in modern law, where long, open, and undisturbed occupation grants title. Furthermore, Jephthah's argument reflects a deeper biblical truth that the Lord is the one who "cuts off" nations and distributes the lands of the earth according to His sovereign will (Deut 32:8-9, Acts 17:26). The Ammonite's failure to assert a claim earlier, and their subsequent late-stage aggression, ultimately serves to highlight God's righteous judgment against them through Israel.

Judges 11 26 Commentary

Judges 11:26 encapsulates the core of Jephthah's legal and historical defense, presenting a strong case for Israel's divine and temporal right to the disputed territory. The reference to "three hundred years" of occupation is pivotal; it serves as a powerful argument by prescription, where prolonged, unchallenged possession becomes legal proof of ownership. This long tenure also functions as a divine seal, affirming God's original grant of the land through the defeat of Sihon, demonstrating that He truly gave this specific region to Israel. The verse underlines that Israel did not initially take the land from Ammon but from the Amorites, and subsequently, Ammon waited an inordinate amount of time before making their territorial demand. It highlights God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant promises by granting and preserving land for His people, emphasizing His sovereignty over national boundaries and historical events.