“But they forgot Yahweh their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. They cried to Yahweh, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.
Parallel Translations
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“But they forgot Yahweh their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.
They cried to Yahweh, and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.’
Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.
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And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.
Show all 3 translations
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But they forgot the LORD their God, and He gave them over into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
And they cried unto the LORD, and said: We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served the Baalim and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve Thee.
And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelt in safety.
Cross-references (36)
- Judges 6:32 (v11) Therefore on that day he named him Jerub-Baal, saying, “Let Baal contend against him, because he has broken down his altar.”
- Judges 2:13 (v10) They abandoned Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
- Judges 3:12 (v9) The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and Yahweh strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel,…
- Judges 4:2 (v9) Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth…
- Judges 4:6 (v11) She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and…
Show all 36 cross-references
- Judges 10:7 (v9) Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the children of Ammon.
- Judges 10:10 (v10) The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, saying, “We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the…
- Judges 13:1 (v9) The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight; and Yahweh delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty…
- Deuteronomy 32:18 (v9) Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten God who gave you birth.
- Judges 3:7 (v10) The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
- Judges 3:9 (v10) When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of…
- Judges 6:14 (v11) Yahweh looked at him, and said, “Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Haven’t I sent you?”
- Judges 8:29 (v11) Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house.
- Judges 8:35 (v11) neither did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shown to Israel.
- Judges 10:15-16 (v10) The children of Israel said to Yahweh, “We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems good to you; only deliver us, please, today.” They put away…
- Judges 11:1-33 (v11) Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor. He was the son of a prostitute. Gilead became the father of Jephthah. Gilead’s wife…
- 1 Samuel 7:13 (v11) So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped coming within the border of Israel. Yahweh’s hand was against the Philistines all the…
- Deuteronomy 32:30 (v9) How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and Yahweh had delivered them up?
- Judges 2:14 (v9) Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of…
- Judges 3:7-8 (v9) The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.…
- Judges 3:15 (v10) But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed…
- Judges 3:31 (v9) After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad. He also saved Israel.
- Judges 4:3 (v10) The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and he mightily oppressed the children of Israel for…
- Judges 6:7 (v10) When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh because of Midian,
- 1 Samuel 7:2 (v10) From the day that the ark stayed in Kiriath Jearim, the time was long; for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after…
- Psalms 78:34-35 (v10) When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly. They remembered that God was their rock, the…
- Psalms 106:21 (v9) They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,
- Psalms 106:44 (v10) Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.
- Isaiah 26:16 (v10) Yahweh, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.
- Isaiah 33:22 (v10) For Yahweh is our judge. Yahweh is our lawgiver. Yahweh is our king. He will save us.
- Isaiah 50:1-2 (v9) Yahweh says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you?…
- Isaiah 63:10 (v9) But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.
- Jeremiah 2:32 (v9) “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number.
- Luke 1:74-75 (v10) to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before…
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (v10) For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. He died for all, that those who…
- Judges 13:1-16 (v11) The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight; and Yahweh delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 Captain of Jabin’s host, King of Hazor.
Captain of Jabin’s host, King of Hazor.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–11 1Sa 12:9 And when they forgat the LORD their…
1Sa 12:9 And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
Ver. 9. And when they forgat the Lord.] As their wont was: and hence grew all their other wickednesses. See Rom 3:17-18.
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.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 They forgat the Lord, i.e. they revolted from him,…
They forgat the Lord, i.e. they revolted from him, as it is explained, 1Sa 12:10, and carried themselves as ungratefully and unworthily towards God, as if they had wholly forgotten his great and innumerable favours, and their infinite obligations to him.
Forgetting of God is oft put for all manner of wickedness, whereof indeed that is the true cause. See Isa 17:10; Jer 3:21; Eze 22:12. This he saith, partly to answer all objection, That the reason why they desired a king was, because in the time of the judges they were at great uncertainties, and ofttimes exercised with sharp afflictions: to which he answereth by concession that they were so; but adds, by way of retortion, that they themselves were the cause of it, by their forgetting of God; so that it was not the fault of that kind of government, but their transgressing the rules of it; and partly to mind them that this their ungrateful carriage towards God was no new or strange thing, but an hereditary and inveterate disease, that so they might more easily believe their own guilt herein, and be more deeply humbled, both for their own and for their parents’ sins.
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They fought against them, to wit, with success, and subdued them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv9–11 And when they forgat the Lord their God,.... The…
And when they forgat the Lord their God,.... The worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum; that is, they fell into idolatry, which is a plain instance and proof of forgetfulness of God; for such that neglect his worship, and serve idols, may be truly said to forget him:
he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor; who was general of the army of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, Jdg 4:2, where they are said to be sold into the hands of Jabin, here into the hands of Sisera; because it is highly probable he was sent against them by Jabin, and subdued them, as he afterwards was sent by him, when they rebelled against him, and were delivered out of his hand:
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and into the hand of the Philistines: as they were in and before the times of Samson, Jdg 13:1.
and into the hand of the king of Moab; as in the times of Ehud, Jdg 3:14, the exact order of these things is not observed:
and they fought against them; the king of Moab, Sisera, and the Philistines, and overcame them, and so they fell into their hands.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 Forgat - That is, they revolted from him, and…
Forgat - That is, they revolted from him, and carried themselves, as if they had wholly forgotten his innumerable favours. This he saith to answer an objection, that the reason why they desired a king, was, because in the time of the Judges they were at great uncertainties, and often exercised with sharp afflictions: to which he answereth by concession that they were so; but adds, by way of retortion, that they themselves were the cause of it, by their forgetting God: so that it was not the fault of that kind of government, but their transgressing the rules of it. Fought - With success, and subdued them.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 Verse 9. The hand of Sisera] See these transactions…
Verse 9. The hand of Sisera] See these transactions in the book of Judges, as marked in the margin; and see the notes on those passages. Jdg 4:2 (note)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 1Sa 12:9. They forgat the Lord — That is,…
1Sa 12:9. They forgat the Lord — That is, they revolted from him, and carried themselves as if they had wholly forgotten his innumerable favours. This he says to answer an objection, that the reason why they desired a king was, because in the time of the judges they were at great uncertainties, and often exercised with sharp afflictions: to which he answereth by concession that they were so; but adds, that they themselves were the cause of it, by their forgetting God: so that it was not the fault of that kind of government, but their transgressing the rules of it. Fought — With success, and subdued them.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 According to the present arrangement of the Book of…
According to the present arrangement of the Book of Judges, and the common chronology, the oppression of Sisera must have occurred about 200 years after the entrance into Canaan. But Samuel here places it as the first great servitude, before that under Eglon king of Moab, or that from which Shamgar delivered them. And this is in accordance with the internal evidence of the Book of Judges itself. It is also the order of Jdg 10:11, except that there the Ammonites Jdg 3:13 are placed before the Philistines.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv9, 11 Hasor. See Judges iv. 1. --- Moab. Jephte delivered…
Hasor. See Judges iv. 1. --- Moab. Jephte delivered the people from the hands of the Ammonites, who claimed all that country, Judges xi. 15. Eglon had been slain by Aod, before the Chanaanites enslaved Israel. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v11 Bedan--The Septuagint reads "Barak"; and for "Samuel" some versions…
Bedan--The Septuagint reads "Barak"; and for "Samuel" some versions read "Samson," which seems more natural than that the prophet should mention himself to the total omission of the greatest of the judges. (Compare Heb 11:32).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v11 11. Bedan — We have no record of any…
11. Bedan — We have no record of any judge in Israel of this name, and interpreters have accordingly resorted to various conjectures as to the person meant. Some think the word בדןshould be rendered in Dan, that is, a native of Dan, meaning Samson, who was of that tribe. Jdg_13:2. Others think Jair, the Gileadite, is meant, because a descendant of Manasseh bears this name in 1Ch_7:17. There may, indeed, have been a judge of this name, of whom we have no mention in the book of Judges, for we are not to regard that book as a complete history; but the name Bedan is more probably a corruption of Abdon, (Jdg_12:13,) or of Barak. Jdg_4:6. The reading Barak is favoured by its resemblance to Bedan in orthography, ( בדן— ברק,) and by the fact that it is so taken in the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions. Compare also Heb_11:32.
Samuel — Some have thought proper, by the aid of the Syriac and Arabic versions, to emend the Hebrew text here and read Samson, on the ground that Samuel would not mention himself as one of the deliverers of Israel. But Samuel did more than any other judge to break the Philistine oppression, (1Sa_7:13,) and he mentions himself to show the people how inexcusable they were in “refusing to obey the voice of Samuel, and saying, Nay, but we will have a king over us.” 1Sa_8:19.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 9. he sold them] God’s abandonment of His people…
9. he sold them] God’s abandonment of His people to their enemies is described under the figure of sale, just as the deliverance of them is called redemption or buying back. Cp. Jdg_2:14; Jdg_3:8; Psa_44:12.
The three chief oppressors of Israel during the period of the Judges are mentioned. (1) The Canaanites, who were led by Sisera, general of the army of King Jabin. Their chief city was Hazor (= stronghold) situated on the high ground west of the Lake of Merom, where Jebel Hadîreh perhaps still preserves the name. This oppression lasted for 20 years. See Jdg_4:5. (2) The Philistines. See Jdg_3:31; Jdg_10:7; Jdg_13:1, and Note IV. p. 238. (3) The Moabites under Eglon. See Jdg_3:12-30.
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.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 (9) And when they forgot the Lord their God.—The…
(9) And when they forgot the Lord their God.—The idolatry of Israel, and the immorality and shame less wickedness which ever attended it, was simply an act of rebellion against the pure government of the invisible King, and was punished by the withdrawal of the Divine protection. The instances which are here adduced of the people being given up into the hands of strange hostile nations are prominent ones, quoted as they occurred to him, without any careful attention being paid to the order of events and times, which was here not necessary for the course of his argument. Three leading nations out of the neighbouring peoples are mentioned by him as having been allowed, in consequence of Israel’s rebellion against the Eternal, to oppress and harass, for a season, the tribes of God’s inheritance—the Canaanites, the Philistines, and the Moabites.
Captain of the host of Hazor.—Hazor is mentioned as the capital city of the Canaanites in Jos_11:1; Jos_11:10; Jos_11:13, &c., and again as a royal residence in Jdg_4:2. Sisera is specially named as the well-known commander of the army against which Israel fought, and as the victim of the sanguinary but patriotic deed of fury of Jael.
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Into the hand of the Philistines.—These “Phœnicians,” who literally dwelt among the Israelites, were most formidable foes to the chosen people for a long series of years. We have before compared their many strongholds and fastnesses to those robber nests which in the stormy middle ages disturbed the peace, and were the scourge of the commerce and trade, of Central Europe. It was owing especially to these Philistines that for so long a period such slow progress in wealth and the arts of civilisation was made in Israel. The advance of the Hebrew nation, from the days of Samuel, who first really checked these Philistine robbers, was singularly rapid. In an almost incredibly short period, from being a poor, half-barbarous people, the Israelites became a highly cultured, wealthy, and powerful nation. In great measure this strangely rapid progress was owing to the complete subjugation of the Philistines under the rule of Samuel, Saul, and David.
The king of Moab.—The king referred to here is Eglon, who was slain by Ehud. (See Judges 3)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv9–11 When they forgat Jehovah their God. The theocracy, as…
When they forgat Jehovah their God. The theocracy, as we have seen, (1Sa_10:18) was a moral government, under which idolatry and the immorality attendant upon it, as being rebellion, were punished by Jehovah"s withdrawing his protection, and the consequent subjection of the nation to foreign rule. It was the repeated sin, therefore, of the people which made Israel"s history so checquered. Sisera, (Jud_1:4:2) the Philistines (Jdg_3:31), and Eaton, king of, (Jud_1:3:12) are mentioned as three of the earlier oppressors of Israel, but are given here in the reverse order to that found in the Book of Judges.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v9 And when they forgot the Lord their God he…
1Sa_12:9-15
And when they forgot the Lord their God he sold them into the hand of Sisera.
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National judgments the consequence of national sins
Let us learn from this transaction the important lesson, that national judgments are the certain consequences of national transgression! A lesson, taught not merely in this particular passage of Jewish history, but written in characters the most legible upon every period of their national career--a truth, for the confirmation of which we need not search the annals of other countries; we have merely to look back to the past experience of our own. Yes, whatever be the instrument to which the Almighty may see fit to entrust the execution of His vengeance; whether it be the sword, or the famine, or the pestilence, or the far more terrible scourge of popular fury and civil discord; whether He raise up a tyrant to oppress His people, and grievously afflict them with a rod of iron; whatever may be the means employed to inflict the chastisement, the occasion of that chastisement is sin. The same spirit is at work among us,--the self-willed spirit of insubordination,--the spirit of opposition to all constituted authority--of dissatisfaction with all long established institutions. The same principles are broached among us; principles which, if carried out to their legitimate conclusions, must lead inevitably to the same miserable results. Now, as in those days, the majesty of the people is held to be the only true source of power; the will of the multitude is substituted for the authority of God! Surely, when we see these things come to pass, there can be nothing very unreasonable in the fear that trouble may be hard at hand; that the day of calamity may be nearer than we are willing to believe? Should the Almighty deal with us after our sins, and reward us according to our iniquities, (Psa_103:10), the issue may be easily foreseen. Did the transgression of our fathers draw down upon them the calamities which we this day deplore, and are we better than they? No! in nowise. Our privileges, indeed, are greater--our deliverances have been greater--our responsibilities are greater--let us beware lest our condemnation, also, be greater. (W. Brickwell.)
Unheeding warnings prepare for judgment
Things to which, says Manton, we are used do not work upon us; we are not much moved with them. Custom maketh men sleep quietly by the falls of great waters, where much noise is; and some parts of the body grow callous, brawny, dry, and dead, as the labourers hand, and the travellers heel, by much use. So doth the conscience gradually lose its force. At first, like a cataract, its great roar astounds the soul, and effectually prevents its slumbers of carnal security; but by-and-by its noise is scarcely heard, and men are even lulled to sleep by its sound. Now this is to be dreaded exceedingly, for it is the forerunner of doom. No more warnings are heard because sentence has gone forth and the mans destruction is sealed.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v10 They cried out to Yahweh
They cried out to Yahweh
"They" refers to the nation of Israel.
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Jerub Baal
This is sometimes translated Jerubbaal. This is a name of godly honor and strength to fight the false god.
Yahweh sent ... and gave you victory
Samuel is telling the story of what God did after the people's confession of sin and plea for help. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jerub Baal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel
These are the names of some judges that God raised up. Samuel included himself in this list. (See: How to Translate Names)
have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths
Serving here is referring to acting worshipful towards the false gods. AT: "have worshiped false gods and goddesses" (See: Metonymy)
the hand of our enemies
This statement is using "hand" to refer to power. AT: "the power or control of our enemies" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
Yahweh
sin
forsake
servant
Baal
adversary
send
life
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv9–11 12:9 handed them over: See Judg 3:8; 4:1-3. •…
12:9 handed them over: See Judg 3:8; 4:1-3. • the king of Moab: See Judg 3:12. Not all of Israel’s enemies in the era of the judges are listed (e.g., the Ammonites and Midianites). This list is representative to emphasize the highs and lows of that era.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.