Judges 11:16

But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;

But when Israel {H3478} came up {H5927} from Egypt {H4714}, and walked {H3212} through the wilderness {H4057} unto the Red {H5488} sea {H3220}, and came {H935} to Kadesh {H6946};

But when Isra'el came up from Egypt, walked through the desert to the Red Sea and arrived at Kadesh,

But when Israel came up out of Egypt, they traveled through the wilderness to the Red Sea and came to Kadesh.

but when they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh;

Commentary

Judges 11:16 is part of a crucial diplomatic exchange between Jephthah, the leader of Gilead, and the king of the Ammonites. In this verse, Jephthah begins to lay out Israel's historical claim to the land, recounting their journey after the Exodus from Egypt. He emphasizes that Israel's passage through the wilderness was not an invasion of Ammonite territory but a guided journey through specific, divinely appointed paths.

Context

This verse serves as a foundational point in Jephthah's defense against the Ammonite claim over Israelite land (see Judges 11:12-13). Jephthah meticulously traces Israel's movements from their departure from Egypt, highlighting that they did not trespass on Ammonite or Moabite land during their forty-year wilderness wanderings. The mention of the Red Sea and Kadesh marks significant geographical points in this historical narrative, indicating Israel's route away from the lands claimed by Ammon. Jephthah aims to prove that Israel's possession of the land was legitimate and not an act of aggression against Ammon.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Providence: The verse implicitly points to God's leading Israel from Egypt, through the wilderness, and to specific locations like the Red Sea and Kadesh. This journey was not random but directed by divine will.
  • Historical Precedent and Land Claims: Jephthah uses Israel's ancient history to validate their right to the land they occupied, arguing that their entry was not an encroachment on Ammonite territory but a distinct path from their Exodus.
  • The Wilderness Journey: This period of Israel's history was formative, marked by divine provision and testing, as they moved towards the promised land.

Linguistic Insights

The "Red sea" in Hebrew is Yam Suph, which can also be translated as "Reed Sea," referring to a body of water with reeds. While traditionally identified with the Red Sea, this term often refers to the marshy northern extensions or lakes connected to the Red Sea, where the miraculous crossing occurred. "Kadesh" refers to Kadesh-barnea, a pivotal location for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, notably where the spies were sent into Canaan and where they spent a significant portion of their forty-year journey.

Practical Application

Understanding historical context is vital when addressing disputes or making claims, whether in personal relationships or broader societal matters. Jephthah's detailed recounting of Israel's journey reminds us that God's plan unfolds over time, often through challenging "wilderness" periods. It also highlights the importance of knowing and articulating one's own history or truth to stand firm against false accusations or misunderstandings. This verse encourages us to trust in God's leading through our own life's journeys, even when paths seem long or difficult.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Numbers 14:25

    (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.

  • Deuteronomy 1:40

    But [as for] you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.

  • Numbers 20:1

    ¶ Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.

  • Numbers 13:26

    ¶ And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

  • Deuteronomy 1:46

    So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode [there].

  • Genesis 14:7

    And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

  • Joshua 5:6

    For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people [that were] men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
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