King James Version

What Does Judges 2:3 Mean?

“Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.”

Context

And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. angel: or, messenger

And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD. Bochim: that is, Weepers

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Wherefore I also said.**—Rather, *And now I have said.* **I will not drive them out.**—The withdrawal of the conditional promises in Exodus 23:31. **They shall be as thorns in your sides.**—The Hebrew is, “they shall be to you for *sides.” *The words “*as thorns*” are conjecturally supplied from Numbers 33:55. In Joshua 23:13 we have “*scourges *in your sides.” The LXX. render “for pressures,” and the Vulgate “that you may have enemies.” The Hebrew word for “sides” is *tsiddim, *and would differ little from *tsarim *(“nets”), which is the conjecture of R. Jonas; and this root is found in the verb, “and they shall *vex *you,” in Numbers 33:55. Whether we adopt this reading, or *tsinnim *(“thorns”), or suppose that a word has dropped out, the general sense is the same. **Their gods shall be a snare unto you**.—See Judges 2:12-13; Psalm 106:36.

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 2:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.