King James Version

What Does Judges 11:16 Mean?

“But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;”

Context

And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:

And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:

But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;

Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **When Israel came up from Egypt.**—Compare with this narrative Numbers 20, 21. **Walked through the wilderness.**—In the second year of the wanderings (Deuteronomy 1:19). **Unto the Red sea.**—Numbers 14:25. The name for this sea in the Old Testament is *Yam sooph, “*the sea of weeds.” They reached Kadesh Barnea from Ezion Geber (“the Giant’s backbone”), in the Gulf of Akaba (Numbers 33:36). **To Kadesh.**—Numbers 20:1; Numbers 33:16.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 11:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.