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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 2:3 So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/2-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/07_Jdg_02_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 2:3 - Israel Rebuked at Bochim" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/2-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/2-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/2-2.htm" title="Judges 2:2">◄</a> Judges 2:3 <a href="/judges/2-4.htm" title="Judges 2:4">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />And I have also said, &#8216I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be <i>as thorns</i> in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be <i>thorns</i> in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from you; but they will become <i>like thorns</i> in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Therefore I also said, &#8216I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become <i>as thorns</i> in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they will become <i>as thorns</i> in your sides, and their gods will become a snare to you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So I also said, ‘I will not drive your enemies out before you; but they will be <i>like thorns</i> in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, I now say: I will not drive out these people before you. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a trap for you.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And so, I'll stop helping you defeat your enemies. Instead, they will be there to trap you into worshiping their idols. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So I have this to say, 'I will not force them out of your way. They will be like thorns in your sides, and their gods will become a trap for you.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So I tell you now that I will not drive these people out as you advance. They will be your enemies, and you will be trapped by the worship of their gods." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore I'm now saying, 'I won't expel them before you. Instead, they'll remain at your side, and their gods will ensnare you.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />At that time I also warned you, 'If you disobey, I will not drive out the Canaanites before you. They will ensnare you and their gods will lure you away.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you, but they will become your adversaries, and their gods shall be a snare to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I have also said, I do not cast them out from your presence, and they have been for adversaries to you, and their gods are for a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I also have said, I do not cast them out from your presence, and they have been to you for adversaries, and their gods are to you for a snare.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I also said, I will not drive them out from your face; and they were to you for adversaries, and their gods shall be to you for a snare.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore I would not destroy them from before your face: that you may have enemies, and their gods may be your ruin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For this reason, I am not willing to destroy them before your face, so that you may have enemies, and so that their gods may be your ruin.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For I also said, I will not clear them out of your way; they will become traps for you, and their gods a snare for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So now I say, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become adversaries to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore I also said, I will not destroy them from before you; but they shall become vanity, and their gods shall be a stumbling block to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Also thus I have said that I shall not destroy them from before you, and they shall be poverty to you, and their gods shall be a stumbling block to you”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherefore I also said: I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be unto you as snares, and their gods shall be a trap unto you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I said, I will not drive them out from before you, but they shall be for a distress to you, and their gods shall be to you for an offence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/2-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=381" 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">Israel Rebuked at Bochim</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">So now</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I tell you</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.">that I will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1644.htm" title="1644: ’ă·ḡā·rêš (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To drive out, cast out. A primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce.">drive out these people</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê·ḵem (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before you;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they will be thorns</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">in your</a> <a href="/hebrew/6654.htm" title="6654: lə·ṣid·dîm (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- A side. Contr. From an unused root meaning to sidle off; a side; figuratively, an adversary.">sides,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: wê·lō·hê·hem (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">and their gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/4170.htm" title="4170: lə·mō·w·qêš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- A bait or lure, a snare. Or moqesh; from yaqosh; a noose: by implication, a hook.">a snare</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">to you.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>When the angel of the LORD had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.…<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="/exodus/23-33.htm">Exodus 23:33</a></span><br />They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-55.htm">Numbers 33:55</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-16.htm">Deuteronomy 7:16</a></span><br />You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.<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="/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="/1_samuel/12-9.htm">1 Samuel 12:9</a></span><br />But they forgot the LORD their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-33.htm">2 Kings 17:33</a></span><br />They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/25-14.htm">2 Chronicles 25:14-15</a></span><br />When Amaziah returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the Seirites, set them up as his own gods, bowed before them, and burned sacrifices to them. / Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could not deliver them from your hand?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1-3</a></span><br />“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm">Jeremiah 2:19</a></span><br />Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-17.htm">Hosea 4:17</a></span><br />Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-41.htm">Matthew 13:41-42</a></span><br />The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. / And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-27.htm">Luke 13:27-28</a></span><br />And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’ / There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-48.htm">John 12:48</a></span><br />There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42-43</a></span><br />But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.</p><p class="hdg">I also said</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-21.htm">Judges 2:21</a></b></br> I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/33-55.htm">Numbers 33:55</a></b></br> But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them <i>shall be</i> pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Joshua 23:13</a></b></br> Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out <i>any of</i> these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.</p><p class="hdg">their gods</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-6.htm">Judges 3:6</a></b></br> And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-33.htm">Exodus 23:33</a></b></br> They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12</a></b></br> Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/5-13.htm">Adversaries</a> <a href="/joshua/18-10.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/judges/1-33.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/joshua/24-18.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Trap</a> <a href="/joshua/23-9.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">Adversaries</a> <a href="/judges/6-9.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/judges/6-32.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/judges/5-18.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/judges/2-21.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/judges/3-19.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/judges/5-30.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-6.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/judges/8-7.htm">Thorns</a> <a href="/job/18-9.htm">Trap</a> <a href="/judges/5-28.htm">Wherefore</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/judges/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Therefore</b><br />The word "therefore" serves as a pivotal connector, indicating a conclusion or result based on previous statements. In the context of <a href="/judges/2.htm">Judges 2</a>, it refers back to the Israelites' disobedience and failure to fully drive out the inhabitants of the land as God commanded. This word underscores the cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's actions and God's response. It is a reminder that divine instructions are not arbitrary but are designed for the well-being of His people. Theologically, it emphasizes the principle of divine justice and the consequences of disobedience.<p><b>I now say</b><br />This phrase highlights the immediacy and authority of God's pronouncement. The use of "now" indicates a present and urgent declaration, suggesting that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people. The phrase "I say" underscores the personal nature of God's communication, reflecting His direct engagement with Israel. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His right to judge and guide His people according to His will.<p><b>I will not drive them out before you</b><br />This statement is a direct consequence of Israel's failure to obey God's command to completely remove the Canaanite nations. The phrase "I will not drive them out" signifies a withdrawal of divine assistance, which had been promised if Israel remained faithful. Historically, this reflects the reality of Israel's incomplete conquest of Canaan, as archaeological evidence suggests a gradual and partial occupation rather than a swift and total conquest. Spiritually, it serves as a warning about the dangers of compromise and the loss of divine favor when God's commands are not fully followed.<p><b>They will be thorns in your sides</b><br />The imagery of "thorns in your sides" is vivid and evocative, suggesting persistent irritation and trouble. In the Hebrew context, thorns were often associated with pain and difficulty, symbolizing the ongoing challenges and conflicts that the remaining Canaanite peoples would pose to Israel. This phrase prophetically describes the future struggles Israel would face due to their disobedience, including idolatry and moral corruption. It serves as a metaphor for the consequences of allowing sin to remain unchecked in one's life, leading to spiritual and moral decay.<p><b>and their gods will be a snare to you</b><br />The term "snare" conveys the idea of a trap or entanglement, indicating that the false gods of the Canaanites would lead Israel into idolatry and away from the worship of the one true God. Historically, this prediction came true as Israel repeatedly fell into idol worship, leading to cycles of oppression and deliverance throughout the book of Judges. Theologically, this phrase warns of the seductive power of false beliefs and practices, emphasizing the need for vigilance and faithfulness to God's covenant. It serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual discernment and the dangers of compromising one's faith.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Wherefore I also said.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">And now I have said.</span><p><span class= "bld">I will not drive them out.</span>--The withdrawal of the conditional promises in <a href="/exodus/23-31.htm" title="And I will set your bounds from the Red sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and you shall drive them out before you.">Exodus 23:31</a>.<p><span class= "bld">They shall be as thorns in your sides.</span>--The Hebrew is, "they shall be to you for <span class= "ital">sides." </span>The words "<span class= "ital">as thorns</span>" are conjecturally supplied from <a href="/numbers/33-55.htm" title="But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which you let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein you dwell.">Numbers 33:55</a>. In <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm" title="Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.">Joshua 23:13</a> we have "<span class= "ital">scourges </span>in your sides." The LXX. render "for pressures," and the Vulgate "that you may have enemies." The Hebrew word for "sides" is <span class= "ital">tsiddim, </span>and would differ little from <span class= "ital">tsarim </span>("nets"), which is the conjecture of R. Jonas; and this root is found in the verb, "and they shall <span class= "ital">vex </span>you," in <a href="/numbers/33-55.htm" title="But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which you let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein you dwell.">Numbers 33:55</a>. Whether we adopt this reading, or <span class= "ital">tsinnim </span>("thorns"), or suppose that a word has dropped out, the general sense is the same.<p><span class= "bld">Their gods shall be a snare unto you</span>.--See <a href="/context/judges/2-12.htm" title="And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves to them, and provoked the LORD to anger.">Judges 2:12-13</a>; <a href="/psalms/106-36.htm" title="And they served their idols: which were a snare to them.">Psalm 106:36</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I said</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> I now declare to you my resolve. It was this that made the people weep. <span class="cmt_word">Thorns in your sides</span>. This is not a translation of the Hebrew text, which only has "for sides," but a partial adaptation of <a href="/joshua/23-13.htm">Joshua 23:13</a>, where the phrase is "scourges in your sides and thorns in your eyes." Either the words for "scourges in" have fallen out of the text, or the word here rendered "sides" should be rendered, as some think, "enemies." A snare. See <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Judges 8:27</a>, note. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/2-3.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">So now</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגַ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I tell you</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֔רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</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">drive out [these people]</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲגָרֵ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḡā·rêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1644.htm">Strong's 1644: </a> </span><span class="str2">To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before you;</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person 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 /><br /><span class="word">they will be [thorns]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָי֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">sides,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְצִדִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṣid·dîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6654.htm">Strong's 6654: </a> </span><span class="str2">A side, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and their gods</span><br /><span class="heb">וֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(wê·lō·hê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְי֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a snare</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mō·w·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4170.htm">Strong's 4170: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bait or lure, a snare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second 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/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/2-3.htm">OT History: Judges 2:3 Therefore I also said I will not (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/2-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 2:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 2:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/2-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 2:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 2:4" /></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>