King James Version

What Does Judges 3:3 Mean?

Judges 3:3 in the King James Version says “Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Le...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.”

Judges 3:3 · King James Version

Context

1

Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

2

Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

3

Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

4

And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

5

And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

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.

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 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?

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

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת׀1 of 16

“Namely five”

H2568

five

סַרְנֵ֣י2 of 16

“lords”

H5633

an axle

פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים3 of 16

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְכָל4 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙5 of 16

“and all the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְהַצִּ֣ידֹנִ֔י6 of 16

“and the Sidonians”

H6722

a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon

וְהַ֣חִוִּ֔י7 of 16

“and the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

יֹשֵׁ֖ב8 of 16

“that dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מֵהַר֙9 of 16

“from mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן10 of 16

“Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

מֵהַר֙11 of 16

“from mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

בַּ֣עַל12 of 16
H0
חֶרְמ֔וֹן13 of 16

“Baalhermon”

H1179

baal-chermon, a place in palestine

עַ֖ד14 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לְב֥וֹא15 of 16

“unto the entering in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

חֲמָֽת׃16 of 16

“of Hamath”

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

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

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 3:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 13:3Joshua 13:5Judges 10:121 Samuel 13:19-23Joshua 11:8-13Deuteronomy 1:7

Places in This Verse

Lebo-hamathSettlement · Modern: Labweh · 34.19°N, 36.35°E12 verses across 9 books
Mount Baal-hermonMountain · Modern: Mount Hermon · 33.40°N, 35.85°E1 verse across 1 book
Mount LebanonMountain Range · Modern: Mount Lebanon · 34.30°N, 36.12°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Judges 3 →

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