King James Version

What Does Judges 3:4 Mean?

Judges 3:4 in the King James Version says “And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he co...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 3:4 · KJV

Context

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:

6

And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 16 words
וַיִּֽהְי֕וּ1 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְנַסּ֥וֹת2 of 16

“And they were to prove”

H5254

to test; by implication, to attempt

בָּ֖ם3 of 16
H0
אֶת4 of 16
H853

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל5 of 16

“Israel”

H3478

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

לָדַ֗עַת6 of 16

“by them to know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הֲיִשְׁמְעוּ֙7 of 16

“whether they would hearken”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת8 of 16
H853

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

מִצְוֹ֣ת9 of 16

“unto the commandments”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 16

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁר11 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֥ה12 of 16

“which he commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת13 of 16
H853

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

אֲבוֹתָ֖ם14 of 16

“their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּיַד15 of 16

“by the 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

מֹשֶֽׁה׃16 of 16

“of Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

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 3:4 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 3:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 2:22Judges 3:1Deuteronomy 8:21 Corinthians 11:19Exodus 15:25Deuteronomy 33:8

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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