Bible Commentaries
Judges 2

Verse 1

an Angel = the Angel or Captain of Jehovah's host, Who had appeared to Joshua in Gilgal. Joshua 5:13-15

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Bochim = weepers.

I said. Compare Genesis 17:7 .

Verse 2

ye shall make no league. Compare Exodus 23:32 .Deuteronomy 7:2 , Deuteronomy 7:5 , &c.

ye shall throw down. Compare Exodus 34:12 , Exodus 34:13 .Deuteronomy 12:3 .

why. ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ). Or, "what [is] this [that] ye have done? "

Verse 3

be as thorns in your sides. Some codices read "be adversaries to you". Compare Numbers 33:55 .Joshua 23:13 .

Verse 4

children = sons.

Verse 6

let the People go. Compare Joshua 24:28-31 .

Verse 7

who. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and who".

works = work.

Verse 9

Timnath-heres. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulg, read "Timnathserah". Compare Joshua 19:50 ; Joshua 24:30 .

mount = hill country.

Verse 10

knew not. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). App-6 . Put for obeyed not or cared not for.

Verse 11

evil = the evil. Hebrew. ra ' a '. See App-44 . Six "evil" doings recorded in this book ( App-10 ): Judges 3:7 , Judges 3:12 ; Judges 4:1 ; Judges 6:1 ; Judges 10:6 ; Judges 13:1 .

Verse 12

forsook. Religion is not a gradual evolution to what is higher, but a declension to what is lower. See note on Joshua 24:14 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

people = peoples.

Verse 13

Ashtaroth. The special evil of Canaanite nations. Name derived from the Asherah (see App-42 ). The Asherah was idolatry of the most revolting form of immorality under the guise of religion. All virtue surrendered. The "going a whoring" is more than a figure of speech. See Exodus 34:13 .Deuteronomy 7:5 ; Deuteronomy 12:3 ; Deuteronomy 16:21 . Note all the occurrences of 'Ashtaroth : Deuteronomy 1:4 .Joshua 9:10 ; Joshua 12:4 ; Joshua 13:12 , Joshua 13:31 .Joshua 2:13 ; Jos 10:6 . 1 Samuel 7:3 , 1Sa 7:4 ; 1 Samuel 12:10 ; 1 Samuel 31:10 .

Verse 14

spoilers . . . enemies. Six oppressors and servitudes named: Judges 3:8 , Judges 3:12 ; Judges 4:2 ; Judges 6:1 ; Judges 10:7 ; Judges 13:1 .

Verse 15

evil. Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 .

as = according as. Compare Leviticus 26:0 . Deuteronomy 28:0 .

Verse 16

judges. This word gives the name to the book = one who put right what was wrong; hence, a ruler.

delivered = saved. Six deliverances: Judges 3:9 , Judges 3:15 ; Judges 4:23 ; Judges 8:28 ; Judges 11:33 ; Judges 16:30 .

Verse 18

all the days, &c. This raises the question as to Deborah's call. See note on Judges 4:4 .

Verse 19

when. Compare Judges 3:12 .

Verse 20

people = nation.

transgressed. Hebrew. 'abar. App-44 .

Verse 22

therein. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), with some codices, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "in it": i.e. in Jehovah's way.

Verse 23

driving them out = dispossessing.