Bible Commentaries
Judges 3

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 2

children = sons.

Verse 3

five lords. See note on Joshua 13:2-6 .

entering in = pass.

Verse 5

dwelt among. Not the Canaanites dwelling in Israel, but Israel dwelling among the Canaanites, who were to be exterminated. Exodus 3:8 , Exodus 3:17 ; Exodus 23:23-28 . Deuteronomy 7:1-5 .

Verse 6

took their daughters , contrary to Jehovah's express command. Exodus 34:16 . Deuteronomy 7:3 .

Verse 7

evil. Hebrew "the evil"; i.e. the special evil (idolatry) which had been forbidden as such. See App-44 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

the groves = Asherim. App-42 . See note on Exodus 34:13 .

Verse 8

sold. Compare Judges 2:14 . Jdg 2:14490 years since Abraham left Mesopotamia.

Verse 9

deliverer = saviour.

delivered = saved. Compare Luke 1:68-70 .

Othniel. Compare Joshua 15:16 , Joshua 15:17 .

Verse 10

the Spirit of the LORD. Of Jehovah, App-4 . not Elohim. The spirit (Hebrew. ruach, App-9 ) of Jehovah bestowing gifts rather than power or might (Genesis 1:2 ). Compare Isaiah 11:2 ; Isaiah 61:1 .

Verse 11

had rest. Repeated four times: Judges 3:11 , Judges 3:30 ; Judges 5:31 ; Judges 8:20 , to prevent the periods of rest and servitude being "telescoped". See App-50 . Introduction.

Verse 13

Amalek. See note on Exodus 17:16 .

palm trees. Compare Deuteronomy 34:3 .

Verse 16

cubit. Occurs only here = a cut. Septuagint spithame, a dirk, about 9 inches long.

Verse 17

present = admittance-offering. Hebrew. korban. App-43 .

Verse 18

offer = bring near. Heb karab. App-43 .

Verse 19

quarries = graven images. So Septuagint, Vulgate, and Targum, here and Judges 3:26 . Hebrew. pesilim. Deuteronomy 7:5 , Deuteronomy 7:25 ; Deu 12:3 . 2 Kings 17:41 .Psalms 78:53 , &c.

that were by Gilgal. Hebrew the same [as] at Gilgah.

errand. Hebrew word. See note on "message", Judges 3:20 .

Verse 20

summer parlour. Cooling room. Occurs only here and Judges 3:24 .

message = word; put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for what is meant by it: here it is the "errand" of Judges 3:19 .

God = Elohim. App-4 . The Creator to the creature; not Jehovah (the Covenant God) to His servant.

seat = throne.

Verse 21

his left hand. Note the seven weak things in this book, illustrating 1 Corinthians 1:27 . 2 Corinthians 12:9 , left hand (Judges 3:21 ); ox goad (Judges 3:31 ); a woman (Judges 4:4 ); a nail (Judges 4:21 ); piece of a millstone (9, 53); pitcher and trumpet (Judges 7:20 ); jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:16 ). So in later times. Luther (a miner's son), Calvin (a cooper's son), Zwingle (a shepherd's son), Melancthon (an armourer's son), John Knox (a plain burgess's son).

Verse 22

haft = handle. Hebrew. nizzab, occurs only here.

Verse 24

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . covereth his feet. Figure of speech Euphemism for act performed while stooping, and causing feet to be covered.

Verse 25

a key = the key.

Verse 26

passed = he passed.

beyond = by.

quarries = the graven images of Ehud. Compare Judges 3:19 .

Verse 27

the mount = the hill country.

Verse 30

years. The Septuagint adds "until he died".

Verse 31

Shamgar. Compare Judges 5:6-8 .

an ox goad. See note on Judges 3:21 . No weapons. Compare Jdg 5:8 . 1 Samuel 13:19-22 .