King James Version

What Does Judges 3:13 Mean?

Judges 3:13 in the King James Version says “And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm tre...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees .”

Judges 3:13 · KJV

Context

11

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

12

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

13

And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees .

14

So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

15

But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded : and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. a Benjamite: or, the son of Jemini lefthanded: Heb. shut of his right hand

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.

This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish His purposes. This illustrates the biblical pattern that God's power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Theologically, these early judges establish the pattern of divine deliverance through unlikely means. God chooses the weak, marginalized, and flawed to demonstrate that victory comes from His power, not human strength. This anticipates Paul's teaching that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27).

The military victories recorded here serve spiritual purposes—they deliver Israel from physical oppression but more importantly provide opportunity for spiritual renewal. Each deliverance creates space for Israel to return to covenant faithfulness. However, the repeated cycles show these deliverances provided only temporary relief, pointing to the need for the ultimate Deliverer who would provide permanent victory over sin and spiritual oppression through His death and resurrection.

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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 early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. 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 early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar 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 · 14 words
וַיֶּֽאֱסֹ֣ף1 of 14

“And he gathered”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֵלָ֔יו2 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת3 of 14
H853

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

בְּנֵ֥י4 of 14

“unto him 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

עַמּ֖וֹן5 of 14

“of Ammon”

H5983

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

וַֽעֲמָלֵ֑ק6 of 14

“and Amalek”

H6002

amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ7 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַיַּךְ֙8 of 14

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת9 of 14
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 14

“Israel”

H3478

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

וַיִּֽירְשׁ֖וּ11 of 14

“and possessed”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת12 of 14
H853

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

עִ֥יר13 of 14

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַתְּמָרִֽים׃14 of 14

“of palm trees”

H8558

a palm tree

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 3:13 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 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 1:16Deuteronomy 34:3Psalms 83:6-7Judges 5:14

Places in This Verse

AmalekRegion · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E28 verses across 8 books
AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
City of Palms 1Settlement · Modern: Tell es Sultan · 31.87°N, 35.44°E3 verses across 3 books
Jericho 1Settlement · Modern: Tell es Sultan · 31.87°N, 35.44°E63 verses across 13 books
View all places in Judges 3 →

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