Judges 2:3

2:3 At that time I also warned you, ¹  ‘If you disobey, ²  I will not drive out the Canaanites ³  before you. They will ensnare you ⁴  and their gods will lure you away.’” ⁵ 

Judges 2:19

2:19 When a leader died, the next generation ⁶  would again ⁷  act more wickedly than the previous one. ⁸  They would follow after other gods, worshiping them ⁹  and bowing down to them. They did not give up ¹⁰  their practices or their stubborn ways.

Judges 6:10

6:10 I said to you, “I am the Lord your God! Do not worship ¹¹  the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living!” But you have disobeyed me.’” ¹² 

Judges 18:24

18:24 He said, “You stole my gods that I made, as well as this priest, and then went away. What do I have left? How can you have the audacity to say to me, ‘What do you want?’” ¹³ 

¹ tn Heb “And I also said.” The use of the perfect tense here suggests that the messenger is recalling an earlier statement (see Josh 23:12-13). However, some translate, “And I also say,” understanding the following words as an announcement of judgment upon those gathered at Bokim.

² tn The words “If you disobey” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See Josh 23:12-13.

³ tn Heb “them”; the referent (the Canaanites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צִדִּים (tsiddim) is uncertain in this context. It may be related to an Akkadian cognate meaning “snare.” If so, a more literal translation would be “they will become snares to you.” Normally the term in question means “sides,” but this makes no sense here. On the basis of Num 33:55 some suggest the word for “thorns” has been accidentally omitted. If this word is added, the text would read, “they will become [thorns] in your sides” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).

⁵ tn Heb “their gods will become a snare to you.”

⁶ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the next generation) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn The verb שׁוּב (shuv, “to return; to turn”) is sometimes translated “turn back” here, but it is probably used in an adverbial sense, indicating that the main action (“act wickedly”) is being repeated.

⁸ tn Heb “their fathers.”

⁹ tn Or “serving [them]”; or “following [them].”

¹⁰ tn Or “drop.”

¹¹ tn Heb “Do not fear.”

¹² tn Heb “you have not listened to my voice.”

¹⁶ tn Heb “What is this you say to me, ‘What to you?’”