King James Version

What Does Judges 6:9 Mean?

Judges 6:9 in the King James Version says “And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out ... — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;

Judges 6:9 · KJV


Context

7

And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

8

That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; a prophet: Heb. a man a prophet

9

And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;

10

And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

11

And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. Gideon: Gr. Gedeon to hide: Heb. to cause it to flee


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's deliverance extended beyond military conquest to psychological victory—'I delivered you out of the hand of all your oppressors.' The phrase 'drave them out from before you' emphasizes God's active agency; Israel didn't conquer through superior strategy but through divine power. The land gift—'gave you their land'—wasn't earned but graciously bestowed according to Abrahamic covenant promises. This establishes the basis for God's following rebuke: such extraordinary grace should have produced grateful obedience, yet Israel responded with idolatry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The peoples Israel displaced included the seven Canaanite nations listed in Deuteronomy 7:1. Each posed distinct threats: Amorites (mountain dwellers), Hittites (remnants of the once-great Anatolian empire), Jebusites (controlling Jerusalem), and others. God's driving out these nations fulfilled patriarchal promises (Genesis 15:18-21) and demonstrated His sovereign control over world history to accomplish redemptive purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding salvation as entirely God's work ('I delivered') guard against works-righteousness and self-reliance?
  2. What promised 'land' has God given you in Christ, and how should this possession transform your life?
  3. Why does receiving great grace often fail to produce corresponding gratitude, and how can this be overcome?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וָֽאַצִּ֤ל1 of 14

And I delivered

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶתְכֶם֙2 of 14
H853

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

וּמִיַּ֖ד3 of 14

and out of 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

מִצְרַ֔יִם4 of 14

of the Egyptians

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וּמִיַּ֖ד5 of 14

and out of 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

כָּל6 of 14
H3605

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

לֹֽחֲצֵיכֶ֑ם7 of 14

of all that oppressed

H3905

properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to distress

וָֽאֲגָרֵ֤שׁ8 of 14

you and drave them out

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

אוֹתָם֙9 of 14
H853

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

מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם10 of 14

from before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וָֽאֶתְּנָ֥ה11 of 14

you and gave

H5414

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

לָכֶ֖ם12 of 14
H0
אֶת13 of 14
H853

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

אַרְצָֽם׃14 of 14

you their land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 6:9 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 6:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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