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 Living Translation (NLT)He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.

Context of Judges 3:2

1Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan (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), 3namely, five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. 4And they were left, that He might test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers by the hand of 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 of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
• Genesis 3:5For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
• 2 Chronicles 12:8Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.”
• Matthew 10:34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
• John 16:33These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
• Ephesians 6:11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

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
• Children of Israel
• Close
• Dirt
• Errand
• Lebanon
• Rest
• Secret
• Abdon (1)
• Judges, Book of

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