Judges 11:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken [thereto]. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not [consent]: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

Complete Jewish Bible:

then Isra'el sent messengers to the king of Edom, to say, "Please let us pass through your land." But the king of Edom wouldn't let them. He sent a similar message to the king of Mo'av, but neither would he, so Isra'el stayed at Kadesh.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh.

American Standard Version:

then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; but the king of Edom hearkened not. And in like manner he sent unto the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Israel^{H3478} sent^{H7971} messengers^{H4397} unto the king^{H4428} of Edom^{H123}, saying^{H559}, Let me, I pray thee, pass through^{H5674} thy land^{H776}: but the king^{H4428} of Edom^{H123} would not hearken^{H8085} thereto. And in like manner they sent^{H7971} unto the king^{H4428} of Moab^{H4124}: but he would^{H14} not consent: and Israel^{H3478} abode^{H3427} in Kadesh^{H6946}.

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Commentary for Judges 11:17

Judges 11:17 is set within the historical context of the period of the Judges, which followed the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua. This period was characterized by a cycle of apostasy, oppression by neighboring peoples, and deliverance through judges raised up by God. The verse specifically addresses a moment when the Israelites were seeking passage through the territories of Edom and Moab, their neighboring kingdoms to the southeast of Canaan, as they journeyed towards the Promised Land.

In this verse, the Israelites are depicted as sending messengers to the king of Edom with a respectful request to pass through his land peacefully. The refusal of the king of Edom to grant passage is indicative of the strained relations between the two nations, likely stemming from historical grievances or territorial concerns. The Israelites then make a similar request to the king of Moab, which is also denied. These refusals highlight the geopolitical tensions of the time and the challenges faced by the Israelites in their attempts to settle in Canaan.

The theme of divine promise and the fulfillment of that promise is central to this narrative. Despite these setbacks, the Israelites' persistence in seeking a route to their God-given land underscores their faith and reliance on divine guidance. The verse also foreshadows the eventual need for military engagement as a means to secure their passage and inheritance, which is a recurring motif in the book of Judges. The mention of Israel abiding or encamping in Kadesh suggests a period of waiting or preparation, which is often a precursor to divine intervention or military action in the biblical narrative.

In summary, Judges 11:17 reflects the broader themes of the book, including the struggle of the Israelites to claim their promised land, the challenges of international relations and diplomacy, and the necessity of trusting in God's providence amidst human obstacles. It captures a moment of tension and anticipation as the Israelites navigate their journey and destiny under the watchful eye of their deity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
5. Strong's Number: H123
   There are 188 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱדֹם
   Transliteration: ʼĔdôm
   Pronunciation: ed-ome'
   Description: or (fully) אֱדוֹם ; from אָדֹם; red (see Genesis 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him; Edom, Edomites, Idumea.
   
6. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
8. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4124
    There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹאָב
    Transliteration: Môwʼâb
    Pronunciation: mo-awb
    Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab.
    
11. Strong's Number: H14
    There are 1894 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָבָה
    Transliteration: ʼâbâh
    Pronunciation: aw-baw'
    Description: a primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent; consent, rest content will, be willing.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3427
    There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָשַׁב
    Transliteration: yâshab
    Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
    
13. Strong's Number: H6946
    There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָדֵשׁ
    Transliteration: Qâdêsh
    Pronunciation: kaw-dashe'
    Description: the same as קָדֵשׁ; sanctuary; Kadesh, a place in the Desert; Kadesh. Compare קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ.