Judges 2:20

20–22. These verses are clearly not the sequel of Jdg_2:11-19; Jdg_2:20 continues Jdg_2:13 (see note); the opening words repeat Jdg_2:14; the nations in Jdg_2:21 are not on the frontiers, round about Israel (Jdg_2:14), but those left by Joshua in the midst of Israel; they are spared not only to punish Israel’s sin, but to test its loyalty. The change of view indicates a different hand: Jdg_2:20-21 seem to come from E; the source of Jdg_2:22 is not so evident, D (Moore, Nowack), half E and half D (Budde), a later gloss (Lagrange). The three verses have been worked over and expanded in the editorial process, but the main contents may be assigned to E. For hearkened unto my voice in E cf. Exo_15:26; Exo_18:24.

transgressed my covenant which I commanded] Jos_7:11? Rje, Jos_23:16 D; cf. Jos_7:15, Deu_17:2, 1Ki_11:11, Jer_34:18. The covenant inaugurated at Sinai, renewed at Shechem (Jos_24:24-25), imposed obligations upon Israel which practically amounted to commands; hence Jehovah could be said to “command His covenant,” i.e. the obligations involved in the covenant. Thus in Deu_4:13 the covenant is identified with the Decalogue, in ib. Deu_5:2-3 it is followed by the Decalogue; cf. Deu_33:9 (|| thy promise), Psa_111:9.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Jdg 2:20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

Ver. 20. And the anger of the Lord was hot.] He is not made all of mercy, as some dream, but can be angry: and "who knoweth the power of his wrath?" {Psa 90:11} It is such as men can neither avoid nor abide.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

This verse is connected with Jdg 2:13. The intermediate verses refer to much later times; they have the appearance of being the reflections of the compiler interspersed with the original narrative. But Jdg 2:20 catches up the thread only to let it fall immediately. All that follows, down to the end of Jdg 3:7, seems to be another digression, closing with words like those of Jdg 2:13.

It does not appear how this message was given to Israel, whether by Angel, or prophet, or Urim, nor indeed is it certain whether any message was given. The words may be understood as merely explaining what passed through the divine mind, and expressing the thoughts which regulated the divine proceeding.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Chastisement of the Rebellious Nation. - Jdg 2:20, Jdg 2:21. On account of this idolatry, which was not only constantly repeated, but continued to grow worse and worse, the anger of the Lord burned so fiercely against Israel, that He determined to destroy no more of the nations which Joshua had left when he died, before the people that had broken His covenant. In order to set forth this divine purpose most distinctly, it is thrown into the form of a sentence uttered by God through the expression וגו ויּאמר. The Lord said, "Because this people has transgressed my covenant, ... I also will no longer keep my covenant promise (Exo 23:23, Exo 23:27., Exo 34:10.), and will no more drive out any of the remaining Canaanites before them" (see Jos 23:13).

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Verse 20. The anger of the Lord was hot] They were as fuel by their transgressions; and the displeasure of the Lord was as a fire about to kindle and consume that fuel.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(20) This people.—Comp. Isa_6:9-10, “Go, and tell this people”; Jdg_8:12.

Hath transgressed my covenant.—The same expression is used in Jos_23:16.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel,.... As at first, so whenever they fell into idolatry; see Jdg 2:14,

and he said, because this people have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers; made at Sinai, in which they were enjoined to have no other gods before him:

and have not hearkened to my voice; in his commands, and particularly what related to his worship and against idolatry.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

20. Anger… hot — Compare Jdg_2:14, note.

He said — Repeatedly, by Joshua (Jos_23:13) and the angel at Bochim. Jdg_2:3.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel

The anger of Yahweh is described as burning like a fire. See how you translated this phrase in Judges 2:14. (See: Metaphor)

this nation has broken

Here "nation" represents the people. AT: "these people have broken" or "the Israelites have broken" (See: Metonymy)

fathers

Here this refers to the ancestors of a certain person or people group.

they have not listened to my voice

Here "voice" represents what Yahweh said. AT: "they have not obeyed what I commanded them" or "they have not obeyed me" (See: Metonymy)

any of the nations

Here "nations" represents the people groups that lived in Canaan before the Israelites. (See: Metonymy)

they will keep the way of Yahweh and walk in it

How Yahweh wants people to live or behave is spoken of as if it were a way or road. A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if they were walking in his way. (See: Metaphor)

did not drive them out quickly and give them into the hand of Joshua

These two phrases mean the same thing and can be combined. AT: "he did not let Joshua quickly conquer them and drive them out" (See: Doublet)

into the hand of Joshua

Here "hand" is a metonym for power, and "Joshua" represents himself and his army. AT: "into the power of Joshua and his army" (See: Metonymy and Synecdoche)

translationWords

Israel

nation

covenant

ancestor

voice

cast out

Joshua

test

walk

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.