Judges 3:2

Translations

Modern

…if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly:

Traditional

Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

Literal

…only so that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught to know war, only those who formerly had not known it:

Latin

…ut postea discerent filii eorum certare cum hostibus, et habere consuetudinem præliandi:

Original

Hebrew

English

…if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly:

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

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People

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

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 3:2

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