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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 11:25 Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/11-25.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/07_Jdg_11_25.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 11:25 - Jephthah Delivers Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? 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Did he ever quarrel with Israel or fight with them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he try to make a case against Israel for disputed land? Did he go to war against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend against Israel, or did he ever go to war with them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And now <i>art</i> thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And now, <i>are</i> you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel? Did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now then, are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive with Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘And now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive with Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive with Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever go to war against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And now art thou anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Are you better than Balak the son of Zippor? He was the king of Moab, but he didn't quarrel with Israel or start a war with us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You're not any better than Balak, son of King Zippor of Moab, are you? Did he ever have a case against Israel? Or did he ever fight against Israel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do you think you are any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? He never challenged Israel, did he? Did he ever go to war against us? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Also ask yourselves: do you have a better case than Zippor's son Balak, king of Moab? Did he ever have a quarrel with Israel or ever win a fight against them? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he dare to quarrel with Israel? Did he dare to fight with them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And now are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, [are] you at all better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he strive with Israel at all? Did he fight against them at all?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And now, art thou at all better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he at all strive with Israel? did he at all fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now being good, art thou good above Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab? striving, did he contend with Israel, or warring, did he war against them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Unless perhaps thou art better than Balac the son of Sephor king of Moab: or canst shew that he strove against Israel and fought against him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Or are you, perhaps, better than Balak, the son of Zippor, the king of Moab? Or are you able to explain what his argument was against Israel, and why he fought against him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now, then, are you any better than Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever quarrel with Israel or make war against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now are you any better than King Balak son of Zippor of Moab? Did he ever enter into conflict with Israel, or did he ever go to war with them?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab. Did he ever strive against Israel? Or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Now, are you much better than Balaq son of Tsephor King of Moab? Did he contend with Israel or fight with them?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now art thou any better than Balac son of Sepphor, king of Moab? did he indeed fight with Israel, or indeed make war with him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/11-25.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=3595" 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/11.htm">Jephthah Delivers Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">24</span>Do you not possess whatever your god Chemosh grants you? So also, we possess whatever the LORD our God has granted us. <span class="reftext">25</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">Are you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">now</a> <a href="/hebrew/2895.htm" title="2895: hă·ṭō·wḇ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To be pleasing or good. A primitive root, to be good in the widest sense.">so much</a> <a href="/hebrew/2895.htm" title="2895: ṭō·wḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be pleasing or good. A primitive root, to be good in the widest sense.">better</a> <a href="/hebrew/1111.htm" title="1111: mib·bā·lāq (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- Devastator, a Moabite king. From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king.">than Balak</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/6834.htm" title="6834: ṣip·pō·wr (N-proper-ms) -- Bird, father of Balak. The same as tsippowr; Tsippor, a Moabite.">of Zippor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/4124.htm" title="4124: mō·w·’āḇ (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Lot, also his desc. and the territory where they settled. ">of Moab?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: hă·rō·wḇ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">Did he ever contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: rāḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</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/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: nil·ḥōm (V-Nifal-InfAbs) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">fight</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: nil·ḥam (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle."></a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">against them?</a> </span><span class="reftext">26</span>For three hundred years Israel has lived in Heshbon, Aroer, and their villages, as well as all the cities along the banks of the Arnon. Why did you not take them back during that time?…<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="/numbers/21-21.htm">Numbers 21:21-24</a></span><br />Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, / “Let us pass through your land. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” / But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-9.htm">Deuteronomy 2:9</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-19.htm">Deuteronomy 2:19</a></span><br />But when you get close to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them, for I will not give you any of the land of the Ammonites. I have given it to the descendants of Lot as their possession.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-24.htm">Deuteronomy 2:24-25</a></span><br />“Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. / This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/2-31.htm">Deuteronomy 2:31-36</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” / So Sihon and his whole army came out for battle against us at Jahaz. / And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Joshua 24:9-10</a></span><br />Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-25.htm">1 Kings 11:25</a></span><br />Rezon was Israel’s enemy throughout the days of Solomon, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled over Aram with hostility toward Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-6.htm">Psalm 83:6-8</a></span><br />the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. / Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/15-1.htm">Isaiah 15:1-9</a></span><br />This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-1.htm">Jeremiah 48:1-47</a></span><br />Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled. / There is no longer praise for Moab; in Heshbon they devise evil against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off from nationhood.’ You too, O people of Madmen, will be silenced; the sword will pursue you. / A voice cries out from Horonaim: ‘Devastation and great destruction!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/2-1.htm">Amos 2:1-3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Moab, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he burned to lime the bones of Edom’s king. / So I will send fire against Moab to consume the citadels of Kerioth. Moab will die in tumult, amid war cries and the sound of the ram’s horn. / I will cut off the ruler of Moab and kill all the officials with him,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Matthew 5:25-26</a></span><br />Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Acts 7:24-26</a></span><br />And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him. / He assumed his brothers would understand that God was using him to deliver them, but they did not. / The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a></span><br />If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And now are you any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,</p><p class="hdg">Balak</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-2.htm">Numbers 22:2</a></b></br> And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3,4</a></b></br> An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Joshua 24:9,10</a></b></br> Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Balak</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Better</a> <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/judges/11-23.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/11-18.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-25.htm">Quarrel</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/judges/11-20.htm">War</a> <a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Zippor</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/micah/6-5.htm">Balak</a> <a href="/judges/18-19.htm">Better</a> <a href="/judges/16-25.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/judges/11-26.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">Quarrel</a> <a href="/judges/21-22.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/judges/11-27.htm">War</a> <a href="/numbers/22-2.htm">Zippor</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-1.htm">The covenant between Jephthah and the Gileadites, that he should lead</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-12.htm">The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites is in vain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-29.htm">Jephthah's vow</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-32.htm">His conquest of the Ammonites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/11-34.htm">He performs his vow on his daughter.</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/11.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/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab?</b><br>This phrase references Balak, the Moabite king during the time of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. Balak is known for hiring Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24). The rhetorical question implies a comparison between the current Ammonite king and Balak, suggesting that even Balak, who had significant reasons to oppose Israel, did not engage in direct conflict. This highlights the perceived arrogance or presumption of the Ammonite king. Historically, Moab and Ammon were neighboring nations east of the Jordan River, often in conflict with Israel. The mention of Balak serves as a reminder of God's protection over Israel, as Balak's plans were thwarted by divine intervention.<p><b>Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?</b><br>This question emphasizes that Balak, despite his enmity, did not engage in open warfare with Israel. Instead, he sought to undermine them through spiritual means by hiring Balaam. The implication is that the current conflict with the Ammonites is unnecessary and unjustified. The historical context shows that Moab and Ammon had complex relationships with Israel, often marked by both conflict and coexistence. This phrase also underscores the theme of divine protection and guidance for Israel, as seen in the story of Balaam, where God turned curses into blessings. The rhetorical nature of the question serves to challenge the legitimacy of the Ammonite king's claims and actions against Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jephthah.htm">Jephthah</a></b><br>A judge of Israel, known for his leadership and vow, who is addressing the king of the Ammonites in this passage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/balak_son_of_zippor.htm">Balak son of Zippor</a></b><br>The king of Moab who, during the time of the Exodus, sought to curse Israel through Balaam but did not engage in direct conflict.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ammonites.htm">Ammonites</a></b><br>A people group east of the Jordan River, descendants of Lot, who are in conflict with Israel over land disputes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A neighboring nation to Israel, also descendants of Lot, historically related to the Ammonites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, led by Jephthah in this account, who are defending their right to the land given by God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_diplomacy.htm">Historical Context and Diplomacy</a></b><br>Jephthah uses historical precedent to argue for peace, showing the importance of understanding history and using it wisely in conflict resolution.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>The reference to Balak underscores God's protection over Israel, reminding believers of God's faithfulness and sovereignty in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_divine_boundaries.htm">Respect for Divine Boundaries</a></b><br>Just as Israel respected Moab's boundaries, Christians are called to respect others' boundaries and trust in God's provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/peacemaking_efforts.htm">Peacemaking Efforts</a></b><br>Jephthah's approach to the Ammonite king exemplifies the biblical principle of seeking peace before engaging in conflict.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>Jephthah's confidence in addressing the Ammonite king reflects a deep trust in God's promises and past faithfulness, encouraging believers to stand firm in their faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_balak_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Balak in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_moabites_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Moabites in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_biblical_reasons_for_divorce.htm">What does executing great judgment mean in Ezekiel 25:11?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_blame_balaam_alone_for_midian's_fate.htm">Numbers 31:15-16: Why is Balaam's influence singled out as the sole reason for divine judgment on Midian, given previous chapters mention other deeds?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) <span class= "bld">Art thou anything better than Balak?</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">Are you the good, good in comparison with? </span>It is one of the Hebrew ways of expressing the superlative. Jephthah here argues from prescriptive right, which even the contemporary king Balak had not ventured to challenge, showing, therefore, that he admitted the claim of Israel, deadly as was his hatred against them.<p><span class= "bld">Did he ever fight against them?</span>--This may seem at first sight to contradict <a href="/joshua/24-9.htm" title="Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:">Joshua 24:9</a>. There "Balak the son of Zippor arose and warred against Israel"; and we might infer that it was in some Moabite battle that Baalam had been slain (<a href="/numbers/31-8.htm" title="And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.">Numbers 31:8</a>; <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm" title="Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.">Joshua 13:22</a>). But this would not affect Jephthah's argument. Balak had fought against Israel out of pure hatred, not from any pretensions to claim their conquests from them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 25.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Art thou anything better</span>, etc. Jephthah now advances another argument to prove the justice of his cause and the unreasonableness of the Ammonite claim. If the territory in question was Moabite property, bow came it that Balak laid no claim to it? He was an enemy of the Israelites, and yet when Israel took possession of the land, and dwelt in Heshbon, its capital, and the daughter cities or villages thereof, and in Aroer and her daughter cities or villages, and in all the cities on the banks of the Amen, Balak never strove about them with Israel, or went to war to recover them - a plain proof that he did not look upon them as his property. If they were his, that was the time to claim and recover them, but he had not done so. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/11-25.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">Are you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">now</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so much</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲט֥וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(hă·ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">better</span><br /><span class="heb">טוֹב֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than Balak</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבָּלָ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bā·lāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1111.htm">Strong's 1111: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balak -- 'devastator', a Moabite king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Zippor,</span><br /><span class="heb">צִפּ֖וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ṣip·pō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6834.htm">Strong's 6834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Zippor -- 'bird', father of Balak</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֣לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Moab?</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹאָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(mō·w·’āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4124.htm">Strong's 4124: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Did he ever contend</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲר֥וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(hă·rō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">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">or</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">fight</span><br /><span class="heb">נִלְחֹ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(nil·ḥōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed on, to consume, to battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against them?</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/11-25.htm">Judges 11:25 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/11-25.htm">OT History: Judges 11:25 Now are you anything better than Balak (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/11-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 11:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 11:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/11-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 11:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 11:26" /></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>