Judges 10:7

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

And the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was hot {H2734} against Israel {H3478}, and he sold {H4376} them into the hands {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}, and into the hands {H3027} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}.

so the anger of ADONAI blazed against Isra'el, and he handed them over to the P'lishtim and the people of 'Amon.

So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,

And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.

Commentary

Judges 10:7 marks a critical point in the recurring cycle of sin and divine discipline that characterizes the Book of Judges. This verse highlights the severe consequences of Israel's persistent apostasy, as God, in His righteous anger, delivers them into the hands of their enemies.

Context

Following a period of relative peace under the judges Tola and Jair, the Israelites once again "did evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 10:6). Their sin was extensive: they abandoned the LORD and served various pagan deities, including Baalim, Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and the Philistines. This outright idolatry and covenant breaking provoked God's wrath. Judges 10:7, therefore, describes the immediate and direct result of their unfaithfulness, signaling the beginning of a new period of oppression. This pattern of sin leading to oppression is a central theme throughout the book, as detailed in Judges 2:11-15.

Key Themes

  • Divine Discipline: The phrase "the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel" underscores God's righteous indignation towards His covenant people for their blatant disobedience and idolatry. This is not arbitrary anger, but a just response to their spiritual adultery and abandonment of Him.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully illustrates the principle that departing from God's ways inevitably leads to hardship and suffering. Israel's choices brought about their own enslavement.
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: The LORD "sold them" into the hands of their enemies. This strong anthropomorphic language emphasizes God's active role in orchestrating the consequences of Israel's sin. He wasn't merely allowing it but was actively delivering them over as a form of disciplinary action.
  • The Cycle of Judges: This verse is a clear manifestation of the cyclical pattern: Israel sins, God sends oppressors, Israel cries out, and God raises a deliverer. Here, we see the oppression phase initiated by the Philistines and the Ammonites, who would plague Israel for eighteen years (Judges 10:8).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the anger of the LORD was hot" (Hebrew: ḥārâ ʾap) conveys intense, burning displeasure. It's a common biblical idiom for God's righteous wrath, often leading to judgment or discipline. The verb "sold them" (Hebrew: yimkōr) is a vivid metaphor. It implies a deliberate transaction, as if God handed Israel over, emphasizing that their servitude was not random misfortune but a direct act of divine justice and a consequence of their violated covenant with Him (Deuteronomy 28:15ff).

Practical Application

Judges 10:7 serves as a timeless warning about the serious nature of spiritual infidelity and the consequences of turning away from God. For believers today, it highlights:

  • The Importance of Loyalty to God: Our ultimate allegiance must be to the Lord alone. Divided loyalties or pursuing worldly idols (whether material possessions, power, or self-gratification) can lead to spiritual barrenness and hardship.
  • God's Discipline as a Sign of Love: While painful, God's discipline is often intended to draw us back to Him, prompting repentance and restoration (Hebrews 12:6).
  • The Reality of Consequences: Our actions have repercussions. While God is merciful and forgiving, He also allows us to experience the natural and spiritual consequences of our choices, often to teach us valuable lessons and lead us to a deeper reliance on Him.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 2:14 (4 votes)

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • Deuteronomy 32:16 (3 votes)

    They provoked him to jealousy with strange [gods], with abominations provoked they him to anger.

  • Deuteronomy 32:22 (3 votes)

    For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

  • 1 Samuel 12:9 (3 votes)

    And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

  • 1 Samuel 12:10 (3 votes)

    And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

  • Deuteronomy 29:20 (2 votes)

    The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

  • Deuteronomy 29:28 (2 votes)

    And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.