Judges 2 1

Judges 2:1 kjv

And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

Judges 2:1 nkjv

Then the Angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: "I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, 'I will never break My covenant with you.

Judges 2:1 niv

The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, "I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you,

Judges 2:1 esv

Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, "I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you,

Judges 2:1 nlt

The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, "I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you.

Judges 2 verses

Judges 2 1 Meaning

An angel of the Lord appeared, having journeyed from Gilgal to a place called Bochim, where he delivered a direct divine message to the Israelites. This message sternly reminded them of God's faithful actions: His miraculous deliverance of them from slavery in Egypt and His fulfillment of the solemn oath He swore to their patriarchs by bringing them into the promised land. Crucially, the angel also reiterated God's unchanging commitment that He would never break His covenant with them, establishing a foundational premise for the divine-human relationship that Israel had begun to violate.

Judges 2 1 Context

Judges 2:1 opens a crucial interpretive section of the Book of Judges. Chapter 1 chronicled the various Israelite tribes, showing their partial and often incomplete conquest of Canaan. Instead of completely dispossessing the inhabitants as God commanded, they made agreements or allowed pockets of pagans to remain (Judg 1:21, 27-33). Judges 2:1 marks the divine response to this failure. The angel's message functions as God's formal indictment or "covenant lawsuit" (Hebrew: rib) against Israel, setting the theological framework for the cyclical pattern of disobedience, oppression, cries for help, and deliverance that characterizes the remainder of the book. Historically, this period followed Joshua's leadership, representing a spiritual decline in Israel as a new generation arose who did not know the Lord or the work He had done for Israel (Judg 2:10).

Judges 2 1 Word analysis

• And an angel of the LORD: (Hebrew: Mal'akh Yahweh - מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה) This phrase consistently refers not to a created angelic being, but often to a special manifestation of God Himself (a theophany) or even the pre-incarnate Christ (a Christophany). The figure speaks with divine authority, using "I" and referring to actions only God performs ("I made you go up," "I sware"). This indicates God is personally addressing His people.
• came up: (Hebrew: wa-ya'al - וַיַּעַל) The verb "came up" implies an ascent, perhaps from a spiritual high point or from a place of significance. It denotes divine initiation and direction.
• from Gilgal: (Hebrew: min ha-Gilgal - מִן הַגִּלְגָּל) Gilgal was a highly significant place. It was the Israelites' first camp in Canaan after crossing the Jordan (Josh 4:19). It was where they were circumcised, reaffirming their covenant identity, and where "the reproach of Egypt" was "rolled away" (Josh 5:9). It symbolizes a place of renewed covenant and obedience. The angel coming from Gilgal suggests that the divine accusation originates from the standard of purity and dedication established there, highlighting Israel's departure from it.
• to Bochim: (Hebrew: el ha-Bochim - אֶל־הַבֹּכִים) This location, whose name means "the weepers," is evidently named for this event (Judg 2:5). The angel came to a place where a significant emotional and spiritual response of weeping was expected and occurred. It highlights the divine intention for repentance.
• and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt,: (Hebrew: va-yomer he'elêtiy et-chem mi-Mitsrayim - וַיֹּאמֶר הֶעֱלֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם מִמִּצְרַיִם) This is a direct declaration from God, a powerful reminder of His foundational act of redemption for Israel (Exod 20:2). It establishes His authority and claim over them as their Deliverer.
• and have brought you unto the land: (Hebrew: va'avi et-chem el-ha'arets - וָאָבִיא אֶתְכֶם אֶל־הָאָרֶץ) A clear statement of God's fulfillment of His covenant promise regarding the land.
• which I sware unto your fathers: (Hebrew: asher nishba'tiy la'avotekhem - אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם) Refers to the divine oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., Gen 22:16-18), underscoring the unbreakable and solemn nature of God's promises, bound by His own divine character and oath.
• and I said, I will never break my covenant with you: (Hebrew: welo'-'afer b'riti itchem l'olam - וְלֹא־אָפֵר בְּרִיתִי אִתְּכֶם לְעוֹלָם) This phrase contains 'afer (אָפֵר), meaning to break, violate, annul, or make void. It is God's explicit reaffirmation of His unwavering commitment and faithfulness to His covenant. It emphasizes the unilateral and unconditional aspect of God's side of the covenant, which stands in stark contrast to Israel's impending and documented failure. It highlights God's steadfastness (hesed) and integrity.

Judges 2 1 Bonus section

The identity of the "Angel of the Lord" in this verse is of significant theological interest. Many scholars interpret this figure as a theophany (a manifestation of God) or even a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ). This understanding is supported by the fact that the "Angel of the Lord" in other biblical passages (e.g., Exod 3, Josh 5) speaks as God, receives worship, and attributes divine actions to himself. This implies that it's not a created angel merely relaying a message, but God Himself present and confronting His people directly, emphasizing the gravity and authority of the indictment. This personal intervention underscores God's deep engagement with His covenant people, even in their waywardness, and His sovereign oversight of their history.

Judges 2 1 Commentary

Judges 2:1 initiates God's direct intervention in Israel's deteriorating spiritual state, functioning as a divine "covenant lawsuit" (rib) against His disobedient people. The "Angel of the Lord," speaking as God Himself, highlights God's perfect covenant faithfulness in deliverance from Egypt and land provision, contrasted sharply with Israel's failure to adhere to the covenant's stipulations (mentioned in subsequent verses). The movement from Gilgal (a place of past obedience and covenant renewal) to Bochim (a place where weeping and repentance were anticipated) sets a somber tone. It underlines that divine judgment flows from neglected divine grace and obedience. God’s declaration "I will never break my covenant" is critical; it demonstrates His immutable character and unconditional commitment to His promises, even when faced with His people's broken promises and rebellion, thereby preventing their utter destruction and paving the way for eventual restoration through the cycle of Judges.