Judges 2 22

Judges 2:22 kjv

That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

Judges 2:22 nkjv

so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not."

Judges 2:22 niv

I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did."

Judges 2:22 esv

in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the LORD as their fathers did, or not."

Judges 2:22 nlt

I did this to test Israel ? to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did."

Judges 2 verses

Judges 2 22 Meaning

This verse declares the divine purpose behind the LORD's decision to leave some of the foreign nations within the land of Israel, rather than empowering Israel to completely drive them out as commanded. These nations were permitted to remain as a providential instrument through which God would test the faithfulness of the new generation of Israelites. The test concerned whether they would truly obey and walk in God's established way – His laws and covenant commands – unlike the preceding generations who, despite experiencing God's deliverance and provision, had largely failed in their obedience. It emphasizes a clear choice: obedience or disobedience.

Judges 2 22 Context

Judges chapter 2 opens with the Angel of the LORD appearing to Israel, rebuking them for their failure to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land, as they had promised at Gilgal. This failure violated God's explicit command and covenant. The chapter then transitions into a summary of the cyclical pattern that characterizes the era of the Judges: Israel turns away from God to serve foreign gods (apostasy), God's anger burns and He delivers them into the hand of their enemies (oppression), Israel cries out to the LORD (repentance), God raises up a judge who delivers them (deliverance), and then the cycle repeats upon the judge's death. Judges 2:20-23 elaborates on the divine reason for the ongoing oppression, explaining that because Israel had broken the covenant and refused to obey God, the LORD would no longer drive out the remaining nations. Verse 22 specifically states the purpose for these nations being left: they would serve as a test for the new generation, to see if they would walk in the LORD's ways as their disobedient fathers had failed to do. Historically, this period reflects Israel's spiritual decline following the strong leadership of Joshua, showing the dangers of incomplete obedience and assimilation with pagan cultures. This passage serves as a powerful polemic against the polytheistic and syncretistic religious practices prevalent in Canaan, contrasting them sharply with the exclusive worship and moral demands of Yahweh.

Judges 2 22 Word analysis

• that through them (לְמַעַן לְנַסֹּות; ləmaʿan lənasōwt):
  • לְמַעַן (lēmaʿan): A common Hebrew conjunction meaning "in order that," "so that," or "for the sake of." It indicates purpose or result. Here, it explicitly states God's deliberate intention behind His action.
  • "them": Refers to the nations which the LORD allowed to remain, specifically the unexpelled Canaanite inhabitants mentioned in Judg 2:21 and Judg 3:1.
• I may test (לְנַסֹּות; lənasōwt):
  • Derived from the verb נָסָה (nasah), meaning "to test," "to try," "to prove," or "to put to the test." This is not a test where God is gaining information He doesn't already possess; rather, it is a test designed to reveal to Israel, and to the world, what is in their hearts. It is a pedagogical and diagnostic test. God tests His people to refine their faith, to confirm their loyalty, or to demonstrate their unfaithfulness, often through trials and adverse circumstances (Ex 15:25, Deut 8:2). It does not mean to tempt or entice to sin (cf. Jas 1:13).
• Israel:
  • Refers to the corporate body of the covenant people, the descendants of Jacob, who are recipients of God's law and promises. The nation as a whole is held accountable.
• whether they will keep (הֲיִשְׁמְרוּ; hayišmərū):
  • הַ (ha): The interrogative prefix, indicating "whether" or "if."
  • יִשְׁמְרוּ (yišmərū): From the verb שָׁמַר (shamăr), meaning "to keep," "to guard," "to observe," "to preserve," "to heed." It implies active obedience, diligent observance of commands, and maintaining loyalty. It's a proactive commitment, not passive adherence.
• the way of the LORD (דֶּרֶךְ יְהוָה; derekh YHWH):
  • דֶּרֶךְ (derekh): Literally "path" or "road," but metaphorically denotes a manner of life, a course of conduct, or a system of principles.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal relationship with Israel.
  • Together, it signifies the revealed will of God, His laws, statutes, and commandments, encompassing moral, ethical, and ceremonial precepts. It is the lifestyle ordained by God in His covenant.
• as their fathers kept it (כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמְרוּ אֲבֹותֵיהֶם; ka'ăšer shamərū avōtēyhem):
  • כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka'ašer): "just as," "according as." A point of comparison.
  • אֲבֹותֵיהֶם (avōtēyhem): "their fathers" or "their ancestors." This primarily refers to the generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt but, largely due to their rebellion and unbelief, perished in the wilderness before entering the promised land (e.g., Num 14:26-35; Deut 1:34-35). It can also refer to the initial generation that entered the land but failed to fully obey the LORD's commands concerning the eradication of the Canaanites, thereby initiating the cycle of disobedience. The comparison highlights a past failure to serve as a cautionary example.
• or not (אִם־לֹא; im-lō'):
  • אִם (im): "if" or "whether."
  • לֹא (lō'): "no" or "not." This provides a stark, binary choice, emphasizing that there is no middle ground in obedience to the LORD's commands. It underlines Israel's responsibility in making a decisive choice regarding their covenant faithfulness.

Judges 2 22 Bonus section

The concept of God "testing" His people is pervasive throughout Scripture, consistently serving to develop character, reveal loyalty, or demonstrate unfaithfulness, rather than to gain information God doesn't already possess. It highlights divine sovereignty even in the face of human rebellion. This testing implies a pedagogical relationship; God is patiently teaching Israel, seeking their repentance and mature obedience. The presence of the Canaanite nations thus acted as a continuous, tangible challenge, a spiritual stumbling block if not properly handled through faith and obedience, or a means of strengthening their walk with the LORD if they endured the test righteously. This explains the recurring cycle in Judges: God uses the consequences of Israel's sin (oppression by remaining nations) to humble and bring them back to Him.

Judges 2 22 Commentary

Judges 2:22 illuminates a crucial theological principle: God's use of adverse circumstances, even the failure of His people, to achieve His righteous purposes. The continued presence of hostile nations was not an oversight but a deliberate, sovereign act of God. It was a test designed to reveal the true condition of Israel's heart – not for God to discover their state, but for Israel to understand themselves and for His justice to be seen. This "test" presented a clear dilemma: would they choose complete devotion to the LORD and His "way," upholding their covenant vows, or would they assimilate and serve the idols of their neighbors, mimicking the disobedience of previous generations? The verse underscores that God's patience and even His punitive actions are deeply redemptive and revelatory, providing opportunities for repentance and demonstrating the necessity of exclusive faithfulness. It teaches that the consequences of sin are not just punishment, but can also serve as tools for divine discipline, aiming to draw a people back to their covenant keeping. For instance, the constant military threat and cultural temptations forced Israel to confront their faith and loyalty repeatedly, a constant spiritual exam.