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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/3-1.htm" title="Judges 3:1">◄</a> Judges 3:2 <a href="/judges/3-3.htm" title="Judges 3:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study 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/3.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/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />(he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />(<i>this was</i> only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it),<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it previously).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />however, <i>God tested them</i> in order that the generations of the sons of Israel would know <i>war</i>, by learning war, especially those who had not known it formerly).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, at least those who had not experienced it previously).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This was to teach the future generations of the Israelites how to fight in battle, especially those who had not fought before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This was to teach the future generations of the Israelites how to fight in battle, especially those who had not fought before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as beforetime knew nothing thereof:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as beforetime knew nothing thereof;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD left them to teach Israel's descendants about war, at least those who had known nothing about it in the past.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He did this only in order to teach each generation of Israelites about war, especially those who had never been in battle before. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />only so that successive Israeli generations, who had not known war previously, might come to know it by experience. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He left those nations simply because he wanted to teach the subsequent generations of Israelites, who had not experienced the earlier battles, how to conduct holy war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing of it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing of it;)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who knew nothing of it before: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />(only for the sake of the generations of the sons of Israel knowing, to teach them war, only those who formerly have not known them)—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> (only for the sake of the generations of the sons of Israel's knowing, to teach them war, only those who formerly have not known them) -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Only for the generations of the sons of Israel to know to teach them war, only who before knew not;)<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That afterwards their children might learn to fight with their enemies, and to be trained up to war: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />so that afterward their sons might learn to contend with their enemies, and to have a willingness to do battle:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />to teach warfare to those generations of Israelites who had never experienced it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />(it was only that successive generations of Israelites might know war, to teach those who had no experience of it before):<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Only that the generations of the children of Israel might learn warfare, at least such as had not experienced it before;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Only so that the generations of the children of Israel may learn war, only those of former time had not known<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as beforetime knew nothing thereof;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Only for the sake of the generations of Israel, to teach them war, only the men before them knew them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/3-2.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=609" 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/3.htm">Nations Left to Test Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">if only</a> <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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: da·‘aṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3925.htm" title="3925: lə·lam·mə·ḏām (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. to teach:(un-) accustomed, X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er,ing).">to teach</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: mil·ḥā·māh (N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">warfare</a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: dō·rō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">to the subsequent generations</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></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.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">especially</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">to those who</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.">had not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yə·ḏā·‘ūm (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">known it</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">formerly:</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.…<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/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="/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="/judges/2-21.htm">Judges 2:21-23</a></span><br />I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. / In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.” / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-17.htm">Deuteronomy 20:17-18</a></span><br />For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, / so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-55.htm">Numbers 33:55-56</a></span><br />But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle. / And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/3-10.htm">Joshua 3:10</a></span><br />He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-47.htm">1 Samuel 17:47</a></span><br />And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-25.htm">2 Kings 17:25-26</a></span><br />Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Psalm 106:34-36</a></span><br />They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-4</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Hebrews 12:11</a></span><br />No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by 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="/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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">2 Corinthians 12:7-10</a></span><br />or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. / Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. / But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;</p><p class="hdg">might know</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a></b></br> But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-5.htm">Genesis 3:5,7</a></b></br> For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/12-8.htm">2 Chronicles 12:8</a></b></br> Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.</p><p class="hdg">to teach.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/22-33.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/judges/1-23.htm">Beforetime</a> <a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/1-16.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Experienced</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/joshua/10-30.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/joshua/9-1.htm">It</a> <a href="/numbers/11-32.htm">Least</a> <a href="/judges/2-22.htm">Order</a> <a href="/numbers/6-12.htm">Previous</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-22.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/judges/1-26.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/judges/3-1.htm">War</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-18.htm">Warfare</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/8-13.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-9.htm">Beforetime</a> <a href="/judges/3-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/4-11.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-27.htm">Experienced</a> <a href="/judges/3-4.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/3-4.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/judges/3-10.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/judges/6-25.htm">It</a> <a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Least</a> <a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Order</a> <a href="/daniel/7-24.htm">Previous</a> <a href="/judges/3-4.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/judges/8-16.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/judges/13-8.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/judges/5-23.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/judges/3-10.htm">War</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">Warfare</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-1.htm">The nations which were left to prove Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-5.htm">By communion with them they commit idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Othniel delivered them from Chushan-Rishathaim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Ehud from Eglon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/3-31.htm">and Shamgar from the Philistines</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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>if only to teach warfare</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine purpose behind the presence of remaining nations in Canaan. God allowed these nations to remain to teach the Israelites the art of warfare. This reflects a practical need for military preparedness in a land surrounded by hostile nations. It also serves as a spiritual metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to be spiritually vigilant and prepared for spiritual battles (<a href="/ephesians/6-10.htm">Ephesians 6:10-18</a>).<p><b>to the subsequent generations of Israel</b><br>The focus here is on the future generations who had not experienced the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. This highlights the importance of passing down skills and knowledge to ensure the survival and faithfulness of the nation. It underscores the biblical principle of generational teaching, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-9</a>, where parents are instructed to teach God's commandments to their children.<p><b>especially to those who had not known it formerly</b><br>This phrase emphasizes that the new generation had not experienced the previous wars and victories. It suggests a gap in experience and knowledge that needed to be addressed. Historically, this reflects the cyclical nature of Israel's faithfulness and forgetfulness, as seen throughout the book of Judges. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the need for each generation to have its own encounters with God and to learn reliance on Him, much like the personal faith journey required of each believer.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The sovereign God who orchestrates events for His purposes, including teaching the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The descendants of Jacob, God's chosen people, who are being prepared for warfare.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to the Israelites, where they must learn to defend themselves and maintain their inheritance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding peoples in Canaan, left by God to test and teach the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_preparation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Preparation</a></b><br>God uses circumstances, even challenging ones, to prepare His people for future tasks. Just as He taught the Israelites warfare, He equips us for spiritual battles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_experience.htm">The Importance of Experience</a></b><br>Experience in spiritual warfare is crucial. God allows us to face trials to strengthen our faith and reliance on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Even when we do not understand why certain challenges are present, we can trust that God has a purpose, often to teach and grow us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_readiness.htm">Spiritual Readiness</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites needed to be ready for physical battles, Christians must be prepared for spiritual warfare, putting on the full armor of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intergenerational_learning.htm">Intergenerational Learning</a></b><br>The passage highlights the importance of teaching the next generation. We must pass on spiritual truths and experiences to those who follow.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_some_regions_resist_christianity.htm">Why do missionary efforts fail in some regions if Christianity is the true religion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ruth_fit_deut._23_3's_exclusion.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3 - How can the permanent exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites align with the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman in David's lineage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ai's_destruction_just_and_loving.htm">How can the total extermination of Ai's inhabitants (Joshua 8:24-25) be reconciled with a just and loving God?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war.</span>--The LXX. here render, "Only because of the generations of the children of Israel to teach them war." The Vulgate is here a mere paraphrase, and the translations vary. The meaning seems <span class= "ital">to </span>be, "Only that <span class= "ital">He </span>(Jehovah) might know the generations of the children of Israel, to teach them war." The expression resembles <a href="/2_chronicles/32-31.htm" title="However, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.">2Chronicles 32:31</a>. The "teaching them war" doubtless implies the lesson that they could only learn successfully by the help of God.<p><span class= "bld">As before knew nothing thereof.</span>--That is, "knew nothing of those nations, or of those wars."<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/3-2.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">if only</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֗ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to teach</span><br /><span class="heb">לְלַמְּדָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·lam·mə·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3925.htm">Strong's 3925: </a> </span><span class="str2">To exercise in, learn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">warfare</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלְחָמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the subsequent generations</span><br /><span class="heb">דֹּר֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(dō·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> </span><span class="str2">A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</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">especially</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to those who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">had not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">known it</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדָעֽוּם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏā·‘ūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">formerly:</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/3-2.htm">Judges 3:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/3-2.htm">OT History: Judges 3:2 Only that the generations of the children (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/3-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 3:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 3:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/3-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 3:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 3:3" /></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>