King James Version

What Does Judges 2:14 Mean?

Judges 2:14 in the King James Version says “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, an...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.”

Judges 2:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

12

And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

13

And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

14

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

15

Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

16

Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. delivered: Heb. saved

Read Judges 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

This verse occurs in the crucial second chapter establishing the covenant lawsuit and cyclical pattern of apostasy. The Angel of the LORD's covenant lawsuit exposes Israel's violation of covenant obligations despite God's faithfulness. The cyclical pattern introduced here—sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, silence—repeats seven times through Judges, demonstrating both human depravity and divine mercy.

The theological significance includes understanding God's character as both just judge and merciful deliverer. When Israel sins through idolatry and covenant breaking, God's justice demands judgment, bringing foreign oppression. Yet when Israel cries out in repentance, God's mercy provides deliverance through judges. This cycle reveals human inability to maintain faithfulness (the need for divine grace) and God's patience in dealing with persistent rebellion.

The phrase "the generation that knew not the LORD" (2:10) emphasizes the critical importance of intergenerational discipleship. Joshua's generation served the LORD, but failed to adequately pass on covenant faithfulness to their children. This failure resulted in spiritual amnesia—the next generation forgot both God's mighty acts and covenant requirements. Application to modern believers is clear: faithful transmission of biblical truth to the next generation is essential for maintaining covenant faithfulness.

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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 the covenant lawsuit and cyclical pattern of apostasy. 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 the covenant lawsuit and cyclical pattern of apostasy 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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּֽחַר1 of 19

“was hot”

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

אַ֤ף2 of 19

“And the anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

יְהוָה֙3 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל4 of 19

“against Israel”

H3478

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

וַֽיִּתְּנֵם֙5 of 19

“and he delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיַ֤ד6 of 19

“them into the hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שֹׁסִ֔ים7 of 19

“of spoilers”

H8154

to plunder

וַיָּשֹׁ֖סּוּ8 of 19

“that spoiled”

H8155

to plunder

אוֹתָ֑ם9 of 19
H853

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

וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֞ם10 of 19

“them and he sold”

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

בְּיַ֤ד11 of 19

“them into the hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֽוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃12 of 19

“of their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

מִסָּבִ֔יב13 of 19

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְלֹֽא14 of 19
H3808

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

יָכְל֣וּ15 of 19

“so that they could”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

ע֔וֹד16 of 19

“not any longer”

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לַֽעֲמֹ֖ד17 of 19

“stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִפְנֵ֥י18 of 19

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֽוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם׃19 of 19

“of their enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 2:14 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 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:40-422 Kings 17:20Deuteronomy 32:30Deuteronomy 31:17-18Judges 3:7-8Judges 4:2

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Judges 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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