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

1These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle. 3These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath. 4These people were left to test the Israelites—to see whether they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their 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 2:17except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”
• Genesis 3:5“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
• 2 Chronicles 12:8But they will become his subjects, so they will know the difference between serving me and serving earthly rulers.”
• Matthew 10:34“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.
• John 16:33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
• Ephesians 6:11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
• 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
• 2 Timothy 2:3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

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