THE ANGEL OF THE LORD (NOT AN ANGEL). - The phrase is used nearly 60 times to designate the Angel of God’s presence. See Genesis 12:7 note. In all cases where “the angel of the Lord” delivers a message, he does it as if God Himself were speaking, without the intervening words “Thus saith the Lord,”... [ Continue Reading ]
The two articles of the covenant here specified (compare margin references) are those which the Israelites had at this time broken. The other important prohibition Deuteronomy 7:3 is not specified by the Angel, and this is an indication that at the time the Angel spoke, intermarriages with the pagan... [ Continue Reading ]
“WHEREFORE I ALSO SAID” - Rather because ye have done the things mentioned in Judges 2:2, “I have now said (i. e. I now protest and declare) that I will not drive them out from before you” (compare Judges 19:29). And it was the annonncement of this resolution by the Angel that caused the people to w... [ Continue Reading ]
BOCHIM - i. e. weepers. It was near Shechem, but the site is unknown. Compare the names given to places for similar reasons in Genesis 35:8; Genesis 50:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
If Joshua was about 80 at the entrance into Canaan, 30 years would bring us to the close of his life. The “elders” would be all that were old enough to take part in the wars of Canaan Judges 3:1; and therefore, reckoning from the age of 20 to 70, a period of about 50 years may be assigned from the e... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SERVANT OF THE LORD - This is a title especially given to Moses Deuteronomy 34:5; Joshua 1:1. In later books, the phrase “the servant of God” is used 1 Chronicles 6:49; Nehemiah 10:29; Daniel 9:11; Revelation 15:3. It is applied to Joshua only here and in Joshua 24:29. It is spoken of David ... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THAT GENERATION - i. e. the main body of those who were grown-up men at the time of the conquest of Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL - Here begins the narrative of what really did happen “after the death of Joshua,” but of which Judges 1 conveys no hint. Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua Judges 2:7. But when Joshua was dead ... “the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVOKED THE LORD TO ANGER - A frequent expression in connection with idolatry, especially in Deuteronomy, in the Books of the Kings, and in Jeremiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Consult the marginal references. The phrase, “he sold them into the hands etc.,” is first found in Deuteronomy 32:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS - (rather “and”) the Lord raised up judges This is the first introduction of the term judge, which gives its name to the book. (See the introduction to the Book of Judges.)... [ Continue Reading ]
IT REPENTED THE LORD - Rather, “the Lord was moved with compassion,” or “was grieved,” “because of their groanings.” (Compare Judges 21:15.)... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse is connected with Judges 2:13. The intermediate verses refer to much later times; they have the appearance of being the reflections of the compiler interspersed with the original narrative. But Judges 2:20 catches up the thread only to let it fall immediately. All that follows, down to th... [ Continue Reading ]