Judges 2:19-21

2:19 When a leader died, the next generation ¹  would again ²  act more wickedly than the previous one. ³  They would follow after other gods, worshiping them ⁴  and bowing down to them. They did not give up ⁵  their practices or their stubborn ways.

A Divine Decision

2:20 The Lord was furious with Israel. ⁶  He said, “This nation ⁷  has violated the terms of the agreement I made with their ancestors ⁸  by disobeying me. ⁹  2:21 So I will no longer remove before them any of the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died.

[2:19]  ¹ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the next generation) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:19]  ² 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.

[2:19]  ³ tn Heb “their fathers.”

[2:19]  ⁴ tn Or “serving [them]”; or “following [them].”

[2:19]  ⁵ tn Or “drop.”

[2:20]  ⁶ tn Or “The Lord’s anger burned [or “raged”] against Israel.”

[2:20]  ⁷ tn Heb “Because this nation.”

[2:20]  ⁸ tn Heb “my covenant which I commanded their fathers.”

[2:20]  ⁹ tn Heb “and has not listened to my voice.” The expression “to not listen to [God’s] voice” is idiomatic here for disobeying him.