Judges 2:3

Context
2:3 At that time I also warned you,¹ ‘If you disobey,² I will not drive out the Canaanites³ before you. They will ensnare you⁴ and their gods will lure you away.’”⁵

Judges 2:14-15

Context

2:14 The Lord was furious with Israel⁶ and handed them over to robbers who plundered them.⁷ He turned them over to⁸ their enemies who lived around them. They could not withstand their enemies’ attacks.⁹ 2:15 Whenever they went out to fight,¹⁰ the Lord did them harm,¹¹ just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do.¹² They suffered greatly.¹³

[2:3] ¹tn 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.

[2:3] ²tn The words “If you disobey” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See Josh 23:12-13.

[2:3] ³tn Heb “them”; the referent (the Canaanites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:3] ⁴tn 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).

[2:3] ⁵tn Heb “their gods will become a snare to you.”

[2:14] ⁶tn Or “The Lord’s anger burned [or “raged”] against Israel.”

[2:14] ⁷tn Heb “robbers who robbed them.” (The verb שָׁסָה [shasah] appears twice in the verse.)

[2:14] ⁸tn Heb “sold them into the hands of.”

[2:14] ⁹tn The word “attacks” is supplied in the translation both for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

[2:15] ¹¹tn The expression “to fight” is interpretive.

[2:15] ¹²tn Heb “the Lord’s hand was against them for harm.”

[2:15] ¹³tn Heb “just as he had said and just as he had sworn to them.”

[2:15] ¹⁴tn Or “they experienced great distress.”