Judges 3 3

Judges 3:3 kjv

Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

Judges 3:3 nkjv

namely, five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath.

Judges 3:3 niv

the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

Judges 3:3 esv

These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.

Judges 3:3 nlt

These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.

Judges 3 verses

Judges 3 3 Meaning

Judges chapter 3, verse 3 identifies the specific nations and peoples whom the Lord intentionally left within the land of Canaan, allowing them to remain alongside the Israelites. These groups were the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites dwelling in the region of Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-Hermon all the way to the entrance of Hamath. Their purpose, as stated in the preceding verses, was to test the obedience and faithfulness of the Israelites, to see if they would walk in the Lord's ways as their ancestors were commanded.

Judges 3 3 Context

This verse is part of the introductory section of the Book of Judges, following the initial overview of Israel's disobedience and God's response. Judges chapter 3 explicitly states the Lord's purpose in allowing certain hostile nations to remain in the land after Israel's failure to fully dispossess them as commanded (Judg 3:1-2). Verse 3 precisely identifies who these nations are and where they resided, setting the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that characterize the era of the Judges. Historically, this period reflects a time when Israel had settled in Canaan but failed to complete the conquest, leading to continuous interaction, temptation, and conflict with the unevicted indigenous populations, who maintained their idolatrous practices and political structures.

Judges 3 3 Word analysis

• Namely: Hebrew: לְבַד (levad), often meaning "only," "alone," "except." Here, it specifies that the following list comprehensively identifies who exactly was left, directly clarifying the previous statement. It emphasizes a deliberate distinction from other potential peoples.

• five lords: Hebrew: חֲמֵשֶׁת סַרְנֵי (ḫamêšet sarne). This refers to the unique governing structure of the Philistines. The word 'sarne' (singular: 'seren') is often translated "lords," but specifically designates the rulers of the Philistine pentapolis (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron). This highlights their distinct and formidable political and military organization, different from kingships of other nations.

• Philistines: Hebrew: פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Pəlištīm). A prominent, warlike non-Semitic people, originating likely from Caphtor (Crete), who settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan. They were recurring and formidable enemies of Israel throughout the Judges and early Monarchy.

• all the Canaanites: Hebrew: כְּנַעֲנִי (Kəna‘anî). This is a broad term for the general inhabitants of the Promised Land. Despite earlier conquests, many independent Canaanite city-states and their populations, holding diverse idolatrous practices, remained scattered throughout the land, particularly in strategic areas and fortified cities.

• Sidonians: Hebrew: צִידֹנִים (Ṣîdōnîm). Inhabitants of Sidon, a major city-state of Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon). Known for their maritime trade and shipbuilding, they were deeply associated with Baal and Asherah worship, which severely tempted Israel (cf. 1 Kgs 11:1, 16:31).

• Hivites: Hebrew: חִוִּים (Ḥiwwîm). One of the specific Amorite groups living in the region of Canaan, particularly notable here for their northern dwelling place, distinct from the Gibeonite Hivites mentioned elsewhere.

• that dwelt in mount Lebanon: Hebrew: לְבָנוֹן (Ləvānōn). This specifies the northern geographical extent of the un-conquered territory. Mount Lebanon was a significant natural barrier and a source of valuable timber, but also a center for pagan worship, especially Baal (hence Baal-Hermon).

• from mount Baal-hermon: Hebrew: בַּעַל חֶרְמוֹן (Ba‘al Ḥermōn). This is a precise geographical marker for a peak or region within the Hermon range. The name itself indicates a site of Baal worship, underscoring the spiritual danger posed by these remaining nations.

• unto the entering in of Hamath: Hebrew: לְבוֹא חֲמָת (Ləvo’ Ḥamath). This denotes the northernmost extent of the idealized territory promised to Israel, near the city of Hamath in modern-day Syria. It emphasizes the significant swath of land in the far north that Israel had failed to occupy or control, where these Hivites and others persisted.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites": This listing emphasizes the diversity and formidable nature of the un-conquered adversaries. It is not just one people group but a confederacy and collection of various groups, each posing a distinct threat—political, military, and spiritual. The omission of "Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites" (mentioned in Judg 1) indicates that these specified nations in Judg 3:3 were the primary ones left by God's decree to serve His testing purpose.
  • "that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath": This geographically defines the significant northern portion of the land, which was strategically and spiritually important, that remained under the control of hostile pagan groups. It highlights the vast extent of Israel's unfulfilled mandate and the constant external pressure and spiritual temptation they would face from these specific borders.

Judges 3 3 Bonus section

• The Philistine "five lords" (or pentapolis) represents a well-organized and technologically superior adversary, especially with iron technology, which the Israelites initially lacked. Their independent city-states made them a powerful confederacy.
• The "entering in of Hamath" was the traditional northern boundary marker for Israelite territory throughout biblical literature, reinforcing how far short Israel fell from fully possessing their promised inheritance.
• The presence of nations like the Sidonians in Lebanon further indicates that Israel failed to exert control over lucrative trade routes and valuable natural resources, a dimension of their lost inheritance beyond just fertile land.
• The emphasis on Mount Lebanon and Baal-Hermon highlights the persistence of deeply ingrained pagan worship centers within and bordering Israel's territory, presenting a constant spiritual challenge rather than merely military threats.
• This verse starkly contrasts God's faithfulness in delivering the land to Israel with Israel's unfaithfulness in conquering it, revealing the primary source of their later woes during the Judges period: not a lack of divine power, but a lack of human obedience.

Judges 3 3 Commentary

Judges 3:3 functions as a critical bridge between Israel's failure to complete the conquest and the unfolding drama of the Judges period. The specific enumeration of these remaining nations is purposeful, underscoring that their continued presence was not an oversight but a deliberate act of God's sovereign will, a consequence of Israel's prior disobedience. These nations, particularly their strongholds and leaders (like the Philistine lords and the pagan centers like Baal-Hermon), were the instruments through which God would "test" Israel (Judg 2:22; 3:1).

This divine purpose was multi-layered: firstly, to punish Israel for their direct rebellion and disobedience (Deut 7:2-5); secondly, to train a generation that had not known war how to fight, reminding them of their reliance on God for victory (Judg 3:2); and most significantly, to test their spiritual loyalty—whether they would yield to the pervasive idolatry and wicked practices of their neighbors or remain faithful to the Lord (Exod 23:33). The presence of these specified nations, representing a constant source of temptation to idolatry (Sidonians with Baal, Philistines with Dagon), forced Israel into repeated moments of decision regarding their covenant with Yahweh. Their lingering presence serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of spiritual compromise and the need for believers to decisively rid their lives of lingering sinful patterns and temptations.