Judges 3:2

Judges 3:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
• New International Version (NIV)(he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)(this was 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),

Context of Judges 3:2

1Now these are the nations which the Lord left [in order] to test Israel by them (that is, all [the people of Israel] who had not [previously] experienced any of the wars in Canaan; only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, at least those who had not experienced it previously). 3The remaining nations are: the five lords (governors) of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to the entrance of Hamath. 4They were [allowed to remain] for the testing of Israel, to determine whether Israel would listen to and obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers (ancestors) through Moses.

Judges 3:2 word by word

רַ֗ק לְמַ֙עַן֙ דַּ֚עַת דֹּר֣וֹת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְלַמְּדָ֖ם מִלְחָמָ֑ה רַ֥ק אֲשֶׁר־לְפָנִ֖ים לֹ֥א יְדָעֽוּם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Only thatרַקraq · exceptH7535
• the generationsדּוֹרdôr dôr · generationH1755
• of the childrenבֵּןbên · son: descendant/peopleH1121
• of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• might knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• to teachלָמַדlâmad · to learn: teachH3925
• them warמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
• at the least such as beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440

Cross-references for Judges 3:2

• Genesis 2:17but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly die [because of your disobedience].”
• Genesis 3:5For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil.”
• 2 Chronicles 12:8Nevertheless they will become his slaves, so that they may know [the difference between] My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
• Matthew 10:34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].
• John 16:33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
• 1 Corinthians 9:26Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing].
• Ephesians 6:11Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:3Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].

Commentaries on Judges 3:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2That - Israel might know, to teach them war - This was another reason why the Canaanites were left in the land, that the Israelites might not forget military discipline, but habituate themselves to the use of arms, that they might always be able to defend themselves against their foes. Had they been faithful to God, they would have had no need of learning the art of war; but now arms became a sort of necessary substitute for that spiritual strength which…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-4The Philistines and Canaanites stayed in the land to teach important lessons. People needed warfare skills to survive in ancient times. God let these enemies stay to train and help Israel.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-41. these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel--This was the special design of these nations being left, and it evinces the direct influence of the theocracy under which the Israelites were placed. These nations were left for a double purpose: in the first instance, to be instrumental, by their inroads, in promoting the moral and spiritual discipline of the Israelites; and also to subserve the design of making them acquainted with war, in…Read the comment

Topics related to Judges 3:2

• Amorites
• Canaanites
• Israel

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Children of Israel
• Close
• Dirt
• Errand
• Lebanon
• Rest
• Secret

Commentaries on Judges 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary