King James Version

What Does Judges 3:28 Mean?

Judges 3:28 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they w...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.”

Judges 3:28 · KJV

Salvation

Context

26

And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.

27

And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.

28

And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

29

And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man. lusty: Heb. fat

30

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

Read Judges 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

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 · 23 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 23

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶם֙2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רִדְפ֣וּ3 of 23

“unto them Follow”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אַֽחֲרָ֗יו4 of 23

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כִּֽי5 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נָתְנ֥וּ6 of 23

“and suffered”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֧ה7 of 23

“me for the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת8 of 23
H853

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

אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֛ם9 of 23

“your enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

אֶת10 of 23
H853

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

לְמוֹאָ֔ב11 of 23

“the Moabites”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם12 of 23

“into your hand”

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

וַיֵּֽרְד֣וּ13 of 23

“And they went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אַֽחֲרָ֗יו14 of 23

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וַֽיִּלְכְּד֞וּ15 of 23

“him and took”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

אֶֽת16 of 23
H853

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

מַעְבְּר֤וֹת17 of 23

“the fords”

H4569

a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e., (figuratively) overwhelming

הַיַּרְדֵּן֙18 of 23

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

לְמוֹאָ֔ב19 of 23

“the Moabites”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וְלֹֽא20 of 23
H3808

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

נָתְנ֥וּ21 of 23

“and suffered”

H5414

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

אִ֖ישׁ22 of 23

“not a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לַֽעֲבֹֽר׃23 of 23

“to pass over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

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 3:28 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 3:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 12:5Joshua 2:7Judges 7:151 Samuel 17:47Judges 7:9Judges 7:24

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Judges 3 →

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