Judges 3:1

Translations

Modern

These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,

Traditional

Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

Literal

And these are the nations that YHWH left, that He might test by them Israel, all who had not known any of the wars of Canaan,

Latin

Hæ sunt gentes quas Dominus dereliquit, ut erudiret in eis Israëlem, et omnes qui non noverant bella Chananæorum:

Original

Hebrew

English

These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,

Notes

Judges 3:1–4

The 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.

Judges 2:6–3:6

The second prologue continues from the events of Joshua 23–24 (see study note on Judges 1:1–3:6). It introduces a third generation (Judges 2:10) who did not personally witness the Lord’s mighty acts.

Theme notes and profiles

The Philistines Oppression of God’s People

Related verses

Judges 2:21–22
I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died.
Proverbs 17:3
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
Deuteronomy 7:22
The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Deuteronomy 8:16
He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.
John 2:24
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.
Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Jeremiah 6:27
“I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, so you may know and try their ways.
Judges 2:10
After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.
Jeremiah 17:9–10
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
1 Peter 1:7
…so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants

Glossary

Baal-Hermon Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of

Topics

Amorites: Not Exterminated Canaanites: Not Expelled Israel: Under the Judges: The Original Inhabitants not Fully Expelled Lebanon: Great Part of, not Conquered by the Israelites The Canaanites: Part of Left: To Try Israel The Philistines: some of, Left to Prove Israel

Judges 3:1

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