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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 2:22 In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/2-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/07_Jdg_02_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 2:22 - Judges Raised Up" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did." /><script type="application/javascript" 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Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their ancestors did.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the LORD as their fathers did, or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep <i>it</i>, or not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept <i>them,</i> or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of Yahweh to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />in order to test [the loyalty of] Israel by them, whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it, as their fathers did, or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I did this to test Israel and to see whether or not they would keep the LORD’s way by walking in it, as their ancestors had.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I did this to test Israel and to see whether they would keep the LORD&#8217s way by walking in it, as their fathers had.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of Jehovah to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and I'm going to let those enemies stay. I'll use them to test Israel, because then I can find out if Israel will worship and obey me as their ancestors did. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will test the people of Israel with these nations to see whether or not they will carefully follow the LORD's ways as their ancestors did."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I will use them to find out whether or not these Israelites will follow my ways, as their ancestors did." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />That way, I'll use them to demonstrate whether or not Israel will keep the LORD's lifestyle by walking on that road like their ancestors did." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joshua left those nations to test Israel. I wanted to see whether or not the people would carefully walk in the path marked out by the LORD, as their ancestors were careful to do."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />that by them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />that by them I may test Israel, to see if they will keep Yahweh’s way to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />in order to try Israel by them, whether they are keeping the way of YHWH, to go in it, as their fathers kept [it], or not.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> in order to try Israel by them, whether they are keeping the way of Jehovah, to go in it, as their fathers kept it or not.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />So as to try Israel by them, whether they are watching the way of Jehovah to go in them, as their fathers watched, or not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That through them I may try Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord, and walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />so that, by them, I may test Israel, as to whether or not they will keep the way of the Lord, and walk in it, just as their fathers kept it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They will be made to test Israel, to see whether or not they will keep to the way of the LORD and continue in it as their ancestors did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In order to test Israel, whether or not they would take care to walk in the way of the LORD as their ancestors did,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />That through them I may prove Israel whether they will keep the way of the LORD, and whether they will walk in it, as their fathers did keep it, or not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because LORD JEHOVAH would test Israel by them, if they would keep the way of LORD JEHOVAH and if they would walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />to prove Israel with them, whether they would keep the way of the Lord, to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or no.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/2-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=582" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Judges Raised Up</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">In this way</a> <a href="/hebrew/5254.htm" title="5254: nas·sō·wṯ (V-Piel-Inf) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">I will test</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">whether</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: hă·šō·mə·rîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">will keep</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lā·le·ḵeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">by walking</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">in it</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šā·mə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">their fathers did.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>That is why the LORD had left those nations in place and had not driven them out immediately by delivering them into the hand of Joshua.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2</a></span><br />Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-29.htm">Exodus 23:29-30</a></span><br />I will not drive them out before you in a single year; otherwise the land would become desolate and wild animals would multiply against you. / Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Joshua 23:13</a></span><br />know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-22.htm">Deuteronomy 7:22</a></span><br />The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-20.htm">2 Kings 17:20-23</a></span><br />So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence. / When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. / The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12-13</a></span><br />So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. / If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-19.htm">2 Chronicles 7:19-22</a></span><br />But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-23.htm">Jeremiah 7:23-24</a></span><br />but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">1 Samuel 12:14-15</a></span><br />If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-10.htm">Isaiah 48:10</a></span><br />See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a></span><br />No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a></span><br />Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-5</a></span><br />Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">1 Peter 1:6-7</a></span><br />In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.</p><p class="hdg">through</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Judges 3:1-4</a></b></br> Now these <i>are</i> the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, <i>even</i> as many <i>of Israel</i> as had not known all the wars of Canaan; … </p><p class="hdg">prove</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, <i>here</i> I <i>am</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2,16</a></b></br> And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, <i>and</i> to prove thee, to know what <i>was</i> in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/13-3.htm">Deuteronomy 13:3</a></b></br> Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/28-58.htm">Care</a> <a href="/judges/2-20.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/14-7.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/joshua/24-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/joshua/21-3.htm">Order</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Test</a> <a href="/joshua/24-13.htm">Therein</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-16.htm">Try</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-23.htm">Use</a> <a href="/joshua/22-5.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/6-29.htm">Care</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/judges/3-2.htm">Order</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Test</a> <a href="/judges/8-25.htm">Therein</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Try</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Use</a> <a href="/judges/5-10.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/judges/3-18.htm">Way</a> <a href="/judges/3-4.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-1.htm">An angel rebukes the people at Bochim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-6.htm">The wickedness of the new generation after Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-14.htm">God's anger and pity toward them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/2-20.htm">The Canaanites left to prove Israel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>In this way</b><br>This phrase refers to the method God uses to test Israel, which involves leaving certain nations in the land. The context is the period after Joshua's death when Israel failed to fully drive out the Canaanites. This divine testing serves as a means to reveal Israel's faithfulness or lack thereof.<p><b>I will test</b><br>The concept of testing is prevalent throughout Scripture, often used by God to refine and prove the faith of His people. Examples include Abraham's test with Isaac (Genesis 22) and the Israelites in the wilderness (<a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4</a>). Testing is not for God's knowledge, as He is omniscient, but for the benefit of the people to understand their own hearts.<p><b>whether Israel will keep</b><br>Keeping the way of the LORD involves obedience to His commandments and statutes. The covenant relationship established at Sinai required Israel to adhere to God's laws as a sign of their faithfulness and devotion. This phrase underscores the conditional nature of the covenant blessings.<p><b>the way of the LORD</b><br>This phrase signifies the path of righteousness and obedience to God's commands. It is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lifestyle that aligns with God's will. <a href="/proverbs/10-29.htm">Proverbs 10:29</a> refers to the way of the LORD as a stronghold for the blameless, highlighting its protective and guiding nature.<p><b>by walking in it</b><br>Walking in the way of the LORD implies a continuous, active lifestyle of obedience and faith. It is not merely about knowing God's laws but living them out daily. This imagery of walking is used throughout Scripture to describe a life of faith, as seen in Enoch's walk with God (<a href="/genesis/5-24.htm">Genesis 5:24</a>).<p><b>as their fathers did</b><br>This refers to the patriarchs and faithful ancestors who followed God's commands. It serves as a reminder of the covenantal faithfulness expected of Israel, drawing on the legacy of figures like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The call to emulate their faithfulness is a recurring exhortation in the Old Testament.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this context, Israel is being tested by God to see if they will remain faithful to His commandments.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and gave them the Law through Moses. He is testing Israel's faithfulness to His ways.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fathers.htm">The Fathers</a></b><br>Refers to the ancestors of the Israelites, particularly those who followed God during the time of Moses and Joshua. They are the benchmark for faithfulness to God's commandments.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to the Israelites, where they are now living among other nations. The presence of these nations serves as a test for Israel's obedience to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/testing.htm">Testing</a></b><br>The process by which God examines Israel's faithfulness. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where God tests His people to refine and strengthen their faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_testing.htm">Faithfulness in Testing</a></b><br>God allows tests to reveal the true nature of our faith. Just as Israel was tested, believers today are called to remain faithful amidst trials.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_the_past.htm">Learning from the Past</a></b><br>The faithfulness of the "fathers" serves as an example. We should learn from the past and strive to emulate the obedience of those who walked closely with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/walking_in_god's_ways.htm">Walking in God’s Ways</a></b><br>Obedience to God’s commandments is a daily walk. It requires intentionality and commitment, just as Israel was called to walk in the ways of the LORD.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_trials.htm">The Purpose of Trials</a></b><br>Trials are not merely punitive but are designed to refine and strengthen our faith. Understanding this can help us endure with hope and perseverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_accountability.htm">Community Accountability</a></b><br>Just as Israel was tested as a community, believers are part of a faith community that can support and hold each other accountable in walking with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_human_sacrifice.htm">What does the Bible say about human sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_judges_2_3_align_with_joshua.htm">In Judges 2:3, God says He will no longer drive out the remaining nations; how does this align with earlier promises of total conquest in Joshua? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_82_1_fit_with_deut._6_4.htm">How can a 'divine council' (Psalm 82:1) fit with passages claiming there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_judges_7_contradict_1_chron_21.htm">Why does Judges 7 seemingly contradict other biblical passages that emphasize the need for adequate numbers in battle (e.g., 1 Chronicles 21:1-5)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">That through them I may prove Israel.</span>--Yet in this as in all God's punishments there was an element of mercy mingled with the judgment, as we see from <a href="/context/exodus/23-29.htm" title="I will not drive them out from before you in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against you.">Exodus 23:29-30</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-22.htm" title="And the LORD your God will put out those nations before you by little and little: you may not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase on you.">Deuteronomy 7:22</a>; and <span class= "ital">infr</span>. <a href="/context/judges/3-1.htm" title="Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;">Judges 3:1-2</a>. If in one point of view the non-extermination of Canaan at first led the Israelites into temptation and brought down retributive punishments upon them, yet out of these evils God raised the two-fold good, that they meanwhile increased sufficiently in numbers to be able effectually to till the soil and keep down the wild beasts, and were also being trained in bravery and warlike skill, while the aborigines were being driven out "by little and by little." Further, we see that a real growth was going on during this period of suffering and anarchy. The peril of internal discord was partly averted by the noble life, and inspiring memories, and treasures of infinite truth which they had acquired in the free air of the desert. "They learned by perpetual struggle to defend their new home, and the free exercise of their religion, and so they prepared for coming generations a sacred place where that religion and national culture might develop. During the long pause of apparent inaction a hidden movement was going on, and the principles and truths so marvellously brought to light were taking firm root." (Ewald.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To walk therein</span>. The Hebrew <span class="accented">has in them.</span> Probably for <span class="accented">way</span> we should read <span class="accented">ways</span>, as <a href="/deuteronomy/8-6.htm">Deuteronomy 8:6</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12</a>, etc. This verse does not seem to be part of what the Lord said, but to be the comment of the writer. The A.V. - <span class="cmt_word">that through them I may prove</span> - inserts an <span class="accented">I</span> which is not in the original. Ver. 22 depends upon ver. 23. The literal rendering is, <span class="accented">For the sake of proving Israel</span>, etc.... <span class="accented">the Lord left those nations</span>. The writer, after rehearsing the Lord's reason for not completing the extirpation of the nations after the death of Joshua, adds the further information why they had not been delivered into Joshua's hand in his lifetime (cf. <a href="/joshua/3-1.htm">Joshua 3:1, 4</a>). In <a href="/exodus/23-29.htm">Exodus 23:29, 30</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-22.htm">Deuteronomy 7:22</a>, an additional reason is given for the gradual extirpation of the Canaanites - "<span class="accented">lest</span> <span class="accented">the beasts of the field increase upon thee."</span> <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/2-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">In this way</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַ֛עַן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose -- intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will test</span><br /><span class="heb">נַסּ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(nas·sō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to attempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whether</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will keep</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲשֹׁמְרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(hă·šō·mə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֨רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֜ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by walking in it</span><br /><span class="heb">לָלֶ֣כֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·le·ḵeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their fathers did.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבוֹתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/2-22.htm">Judges 2:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/2-22.htm">OT History: Judges 2:22 That by them I may prove Israel (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/2-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 2:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 2:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/2-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 2:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 2:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>