Judges 3:7-11

Othniel: A Model Leader

3:7 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. ¹  They forgot the Lord their God and worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs. ²  3:8 The Lord was furious with Israel ³  and turned them over to ⁴  King Cushan-Rishathaim ⁵  of Aram-Naharaim. They were Cushan-Rishathaim’s subjects ⁶  for eight years. 3:9 When the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord, he ⁷  raised up a deliverer for the Israelites who rescued ⁸  them. His name was Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. ⁹  3:10 The Lord’s spirit empowered him ¹⁰  and he led Israel. When he went to do battle, the Lord handed over to him King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram and he overpowered him. ¹¹  3:11 The land had rest for forty years; then Othniel son of Kenaz died.

[3:7]  ¹ tn Heb “in the eyes of the Lord.”

[3:7]  ² sn The Asherahs were local manifestations of the Canaanite goddess Asherah.

[3:8]  ³ tn Or “The Lord’s anger burned (or raged) against Israel.”

[3:8]  ⁴ tn Heb “sold them into the hands of.”

[3:8]  ⁵ tn Or “Cushan the Doubly Wicked.”

[3:8]  ⁶ tn Or “they served Cushan-Rishathaim.”

[3:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “the Lord.”

[3:9]  ⁸ tn Or “delivered.”

[3:9]  ⁹ tn “Caleb’s younger brother” may refer to Othniel or to Kenaz (in which case Othniel is Caleb’s nephew).

[3:10]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “was on him.”

[3:10]  ¹¹ tn Heb “his hand was strong against Cushan-Rishathaim.”