Bible Commentaries

an Angel = the Angel or Captain of Jehovah's host, Who had appeared to Joshua in Gilgal. Joshua 5:13-15

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Bochim = weepers.

I said. Compare Genesis 17:7.

ye shall make no league. Compare Exodus 23:32. Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 7:5, &c.

ye shall throw down. Compare Exodus 34:12, Exodus 34:13. Deuteronomy 12:3.

why. ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6). Or, "what [is] this [that] ye have done? "

be as thorns in your sides. Some codices read "be adversaries to you". Compare Numbers 33:55. Joshua 23:13.

children = sons.

let the People go. Compare Joshua 24:28-31.

who. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and who".

works = work.

Timnath-heres. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulg, read "Timnathserah". Compare Joshua 19:50; Joshua 24:30.

mount = hill country.

knew not. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). App-6. Put for obeyed not or cared not for.

evil = the evil. Hebrew. ra"a". See App-44. Six "evil" doings recorded in this book (App-10): Judges 3:7, Judges 3:12; Judges 4:1; Judges 6:1; Judges 10:6; Judges 13:1.

forsook. Religion is not a gradual evolution to what is higher, but a declension to what is lower. See note on Joshua 24:14.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

people = peoples.

Ashtaroth. The special evil of Canaanite nations. Name derived from the Asherah (see App-42). The Asherah was idolatry of the most revolting form of immorality under the guise of religion. All virtue surrendered. The "going a whoring" is more than a figure of speech. See Exodus 34:13. Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3; Deuteronomy 16:21. Note all the occurrences of "Ashtaroth: Deuteronomy 1:4. Joshua 9:10; Joshua 12:4; Joshua 13:12, Joshua 13:31. Joshua 2:13; Joshua 10:6. 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Samuel 7:4; 1 Samuel 12:10; 1 Samuel 31:10.

spoilers . . . enemies. Six oppressors and servitudes named: Judges 3:8, Judges 3:12; Judges 4:2; Judges 6:1; Judges 10:7; Judges 13:1.

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

as = according as. Compare Lev 26. Deut 28.

judges. This word gives the name to the book = one who put right what was wrong; hence, a ruler.

delivered = saved. Six deliverances: Judges 3:9, Judges 3:15; Judges 4:23; Judges 8:28; Judges 11:33; Judges 16:30.

all the days, &c. This raises the question as to Deborah's call. See note on Judges 4:4.

when. Compare Judges 3:12.

people = nation.

transgressed. Hebrew. "abar. App-44.

therein. A special various reading called Sevir (App-34), with some codices, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "in it": i.e. in Jehovah's way.

driving them out = dispossessing.