King James Version

What Does Judges 11:27 Mean?

Judges 11:27 in the King James Version says “Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this da...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.”

Judges 11:27 · King James Version

Context

25

And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,

26

While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?

27

Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

28

Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

29

Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baal worship), followed by God's judgment through foreign oppression, Israel's cry for deliverance, God raising up a judge, temporary peace, then renewed apostasy after the judge dies.

Theologically, this pattern demonstrates several crucial truths: (1) Human inability to maintain covenant faithfulness apart from God's transforming grace; (2) God's justice in punishing covenant violation through the curses of Deuteronomy 28; (3) God's mercy in responding to repentant cries with deliverance; (4) The inadequacy of repeated deliverances to produce lasting transformation, pointing to the need for the New Covenant with God's law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

The judges themselves foreshadow Christ—they are divinely appointed deliverers who save Israel from enemies. Yet their imperfections and temporary victories point to the need for the perfect Judge who would provide permanent deliverance. Jesus fulfills the judges' typology, being the ultimate "sent one" who conquers spiritual enemies definitively through His death and resurrection, providing eternal salvation rather than temporary political relief.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Jephthah's deliverance and tragic vow reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְאָֽנֹכִי֙1 of 20
H595

i

לֹֽא2 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָטָ֣אתִי3 of 20

“Wherefore I have not sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לָ֔ךְ4 of 20
H0
וְאַתָּ֞ה5 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֹשֶׂ֥ה6 of 20

“against thee but thou doest”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אִתִּ֛י7 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָעָ֖ה8 of 20

“me wrong”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

לְהִלָּ֣חֶם9 of 20

“to war”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בִּ֑י10 of 20
H0
הַשֹּׁפֵט֙11 of 20

“be judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

יְהוָ֤ה12 of 20

“against me the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַשֹּׁפֵט֙13 of 20

“be judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

הַיּ֔וֹם14 of 20

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בֵּ֚ין15 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

בְּנֵ֥י16 of 20

“and the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל17 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּבֵ֖ין18 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

בְּנֵ֥י19 of 20

“and the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּֽוֹן׃20 of 20

“of Ammon”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

Study Guide

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 11:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 11:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 16:51 Samuel 24:121 Samuel 24:15Genesis 18:25Genesis 31:53Ecclesiastes 11:9

Places in This Verse

AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
View all places in Judges 11 →

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