Judges 2 14

Judges 2:14 kjv

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

Judges 2:14 nkjv

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

Judges 2:14 niv

In his anger against Israel the LORD gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

Judges 2:14 esv

So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies.

Judges 2:14 nlt

This made the LORD burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them.

Judges 2 verses

Judges 2 14 Meaning

Judges 2:14 details the immediate, dire consequence of Israel's disobedience and idolatry following the death of Joshua's generation. It states that the Lord, in His righteous judgment, withdrew His divine protection and actively subjected His covenant people to their pagan neighbors. This led to their being plundered by roving bands and subsequently falling under the oppressive control of their long-standing enemies, from whom they were utterly powerless to defend themselves.

Judges 2 14 Context

Judges 2:14 marks a pivotal point in the opening narrative of the Book of Judges, following Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Judges 2:6-9) describe the death of Joshua and his generation, a generation that "had seen all the great works of the Lord that he had done for Israel." Crucially, verses 10-13 then introduce a new generation "who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel." This new generation tragically abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and turned to serve the Canaanite deities, especially the Baals and Asherahs. They provoked the Lord to anger through their blatant disobedience to the covenant commands given at Sinai and reinforced by Joshua (Deut 6:10-15; Josh 24:14-24). Judges 2:14, therefore, serves as the direct divine response to this widespread apostasy. It outlines the Lord's active role in instituting the judgment that will form the cycle of sin, servitude, supplication, and salvation seen repeatedly throughout the Book of Judges. This act of judgment then sets the stage for the Israelites' eventual cries for help and the Lord raising up "judges" in response (Judges 2:15-16). Historically, this period was characterized by a lack of central authority and a gradual assimilation into the surrounding Canaanite cultures, leading to a spiritual decline that drew divine retribution.

Judges 2 14 Word Analysis

• So: This transitional word (waw consecutive) emphasizes direct causation. It indicates that the previous acts of Israel's disobedience (Judges 2:11-13) are the direct catalyst for what follows. It signifies a consequence.
• the Lord: Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. His direct action highlights His sovereignty and involvement in the history of His people, not just in salvation but also in judgment. This is a personal God responding to covenant breach.
• delivered them: The Hebrew word is nāṯan (נָתַן), meaning "to give, put, place, allow, abandon." In this context, it implies a purposeful act of surrendering or handing over. It signifies the removal of divine protection, allowing what was previously held back to come upon them. God's hand, once for protection, now delivers them into the hands of others.
• into the hands of: This is a common Hebrew idiom, bəyaḏ (בְּיַד), literally "in the hand of." It denotes control, authority, possession, and power. To be delivered into someone's hands means to become subject to their power and influence. It underscores a complete loss of independence.
• raiders: The Hebrew word šōsim (שֹׁסִים) comes from the root šašah (שָׁסָה), meaning "to plunder, pillage, rob, devastate, carry off spoils." These were often nomadic or neighboring tribes (like the Midianites later in Judges) who preyed on the Israelites, especially their crops and livestock, leading to economic destitution. This highlights a specific form of affliction—economic destruction.
• who plundered them: This phrase, though seemingly redundant after "raiders," emphasizes the very specific nature of the šōsim's activity. It reinforces the reality and severity of the economic and material loss experienced by Israel. It is an active and continuous plundering, leaving nothing.
• he sold them: The Hebrew word is māḵar (מָכַר), meaning "to sell, betray, hand over for a price." This is a profound and stark metaphor. It signifies a complete divestiture of their status and protection. Israel, God's covenant people, became like commodities or slaves, traded or given over. It implies total forfeiture and the complete removal of any previous right or claim, similar to Deut 32:30.
• into the hands of their enemies: The repetition of "into the hands" reinforces the idea of utter subjugation and lack of autonomy. Enemies (’ōy’ĕv - אוֹיֵב) refers to the foreign nations and peoples whom Israel had failed to drive out, as commanded by the Lord. They became tools of divine judgment. This indicates political and military subjugation, in addition to economic ruin.
• who they could no longer resist: The Hebrew lo’ yakelu ‘ôd la’amod (לֹא יָכְלוּ עוֹד לַעֲמֹד) means "they were no longer able to stand before." This signifies their utter helplessness and loss of military strength or ability to defend themselves. When God withdraws His presence and empowering favor, human efforts become futile. Their weakness was a direct result of their God's turning against them, fulfilling the warnings in Deut 28.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So the Lord delivered them... he sold them": This dual declaration emphasizes the deliberate and decisive action of God in their misfortune. It negates any idea of misfortune happening by chance or enemies acting independently of God's sovereign will. God is not merely permitting; He is actively bringing about the consequences of their sin. This shows divine responsibility for the judgment, albeit one prompted by human rebellion.
• "into the hands of raiders... into the hands of their enemies": The identical prepositional phrase underlines the comprehensive nature of the judgment. It highlights both specific, often fleeting, acts of aggression (plundering by raiders) and prolonged, entrenched oppression (by their permanent enemies). They faced threats from all directions, underscoring the severity of their unprotected state. This reinforces the biblical principle of divine discipline from various external forces.

Judges 2 14 Bonus Section

• The divine anger ("the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel" - Judges 2:14a) is righteous indignation, a just response to broken covenant and gross ingratitude for salvation. It's not arbitrary rage, but a holy reaction to profaned relationship and widespread idolatry, which fundamentally undermines God's kingship over His people.
• This verse precisely mirrors the covenant curses warned in Deut 28, especially the threat of being overcome by enemies and having their produce consumed by foreigners. It highlights God's faithfulness to His warnings as much as to His promises. The specific imagery of being "sold" evokes the shame and powerlessness of literal slavery, emphasizing their loss of freedom and identity.
• While God uses foreign nations as instruments, it doesn't absolve Israel of their sin or the enemies of their malicious intent. God's purpose is always redemptive in the long run, even through such severe discipline. This particular form of judgment serves a pedagogical purpose: it makes them cry out to the Lord (Judges 2:15) when their idols fail to save them, thus prompting a return to the true God.

Judges 2 14 Commentary

Judges 2:14 reveals the immediate and direct consequence of Israel's spiritual rebellion: divine abandonment into the hands of their oppressors. It's a statement not merely of divine permission but of active delivery and even "selling" by God. This underscores the severity of breaking covenant with the living God. The use of "delivered" (nāṯan) and "sold" (māḵar) highlights God's sovereignty over circumstances, demonstrating that even the actions of their enemies were ultimately instruments in His hand for corrective discipline. This disciplinary judgment served to expose Israel's folly in turning to powerless idols and neglecting the Source of their strength. The outcome, "they could no longer resist," paints a grim picture of complete helplessness and utter dependence on their divine Protector, who had now, in anger, turned against them. This verse establishes the core pattern of the entire Book of Judges: Israel's sin leads to God's judgment through foreign oppression, which then, in His mercy, leads to Israel's repentance and His subsequent deliverance. It serves as a stark warning that departing from the Lord's ways invariably results in spiritual and physical vulnerability, culminating in loss of peace and security.

• Example: A believer persistently choosing to walk in wilful sin, despite knowing God's will, may find that divine protection and favor are gradually withdrawn, making them vulnerable to spiritual attacks and worldly struggles they previously resisted.