Bible Commentaries

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

children = sons.

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

entering in = pass.

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.

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

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.

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

deliverer = saviour.

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

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

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.

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.

Amalek. See note on Exodus 17:16.

palm trees. Compare Deuteronomy 34:3.

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

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

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

quarries = graven images. So Septuagint, Vulgate, and Targum, here and Judges 3:26. Hebrew. pesilim. Deuteronomy 7:5, Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 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.

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.

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).

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

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.

a key = the key.

passed = he passed.

beyond = by.

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

the mount = the hill country.

years. The Septuagint adds "until he died".

Shamgar. Compare Judges 5:6-8.

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