Judges 11:23

KJV

So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?

KJV (with Strong's)

So now the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478} hath dispossessed {H3423} the Amorites {H567} from before {H6440} his people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, and shouldest thou possess {H3423} it?

Complete Jewish Bible

So now that ADONAI the God of Isra'el has expelled the Emori before his people Isra'el, do you think that you will expel us?

Berean Standard Bible

Now since the LORD, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites from before His people Israel, should you now possess it?

American Standard Version

So now Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess them?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:23 is a cornerstone of Jephthah’s diplomatic argument to the Ammonite king, asserting Israel's divinely sanctioned right to the land they occupy. It powerfully declares that the "LORD God of Israel" actively dispossessed the Amorites from the territory, thereby establishing Israel's legitimate claim and rhetorically challenging Ammon's presumptuous demand for its return. This verse underscores God's sovereign authority over nations and land, validating Israel's inheritance as a divine gift rather than a mere human conquest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jephthah's detailed and impassioned historical rebuttal to the king of Ammon (Judges 11:12-28). The Ammonite king had claimed that Israel had unlawfully seized land belonging to Ammon when they came out of Egypt. Jephthah, acting as a judge and military leader for Gilead, meticulously recounts Israel's journey from Egypt, their peaceful attempts to pass through Edomite, Moabite, and Ammonite territories, and the subsequent conflict with Sihon, king of the Amorites. Jephthah's argument is that the land in question was taken from the Amorites, not the Ammonites, and crucially, that the Lord God of Israel Himself delivered the Amorites into Israel's hand. Verse 23 serves as the theological climax of this historical review, asserting divine prerogative as the ultimate justification for Israel's possession, leading directly into the rhetorical challenge of verse 24.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (c. 1200-1000 BC) was characterized by a decentralized Israel, marked by cycles of apostasy, oppression by surrounding nations, and deliverance by divinely raised "judges." This era was one of frequent tribal skirmishes and border disputes, as various peoples vied for control over strategic territories. The land east of the Jordan River, where Gilead was located, was particularly contested. The Ammonites, a Transjordanian people related to Israel through Lot, frequently clashed with Israel over these lands. Jephthah's argument reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of appealing to historical precedent and divine sanction in interstate relations. The concept of a national deity actively fighting for and granting land to their people was common, but Jephthah's emphasis on Yahweh's unique power and covenant faithfulness elevates Israel's claim above mere human conquest.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 11:23 powerfully articulates several foundational themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, declaring that it was "the LORD God of Israel" who actively dispossessed the Amorites. This underscores God's absolute authority over nations and their territories, demonstrating His active intervention in human affairs and His faithful providence over His covenant people. This divine action is seen throughout Israel's history, from the initial giving of the land in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham") to the later instructions in [Deuteronomy 2](/deuteronomy/2 "Deuteronomy 2 - Israel's Journey and Conquest of Sihon") and the accounts of conquest in [Numbers 21](/numbers/21 "Numbers 21 - The Bronze Serpent and Defeat of Sihon and Og"). Secondly, it establishes **Israel's Right to the Land** as a divine gift, not merely a matter of military might or human conquest. Jephthah argues that Israel's possession of the land is a direct consequence of God's hand against the Amorites, reinforcing the biblical narrative that the land of Canaan was an inheritance given to Israel by God. Lastly, the verse exemplifies the use of **Historical Precedent as Justification** in diplomatic discourse. Jephthah's entire argument hinges on the historical fact of the Lord's prior actions against the Amorites, reminding the Ammonites that Israel came into possession of this territory through God's direct intervention, thereby rendering their current claim illegitimate.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dispossessed (Hebrew, _yarash'_):** While often translated as "to inherit" or "to take possession," the Hebrew verb יָרַשׁ (_yarash_) carries a stronger, more active connotation in this context, especially when God is the subject. Here, it means "to dispossess," "to drive out," or "to conquer and take possession from another." This emphasizes God's forceful and sovereign act of removing the Amorites, clearing the way for Israel to take their rightful place. It highlights that Israel's inheritance was secured by divine power, not merely human effort.
* **LORD God of Israel (Hebrew, _Yahweh Elohei Yisrael'_):** This specific title for God emphasizes His covenant relationship with Israel and His unique identity as their national deity. "LORD" (Yahweh) signifies His personal, covenantal name, while "God of Israel" underscores His particular election and protection of His chosen people. The use of this full title in Jephthah's argument elevates the claim from a mere political dispute to a theological declaration of divine authority and faithfulness.
* **Amorites (Hebrew, _Emori'_):** The Amorites were a prominent and powerful group of pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan and Transjordan, often used in the Old Testament as a general term for the indigenous peoples whom Israel was to displace. Their defeat by Israel, specifically Sihon, king of the Amorites, was a significant event in Israel's wilderness wanderings (Numbers 21:21-35). By specifying the Amorites, Jephthah grounds his argument in a well-known historical and theological precedent, highlighting that Israel's conflict was with them, not the Ammonites, and that God's hand was clearly in their dispossession.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine agent ("the LORD God of Israel"), the specific action ("hath dispossessed"), the beneficiaries ("his people Israel"), and the party that was removed ("the Amorites"). It is a declarative statement of theological fact: God Himself, in His sovereign power and covenant faithfulness, actively intervened to remove the Amorites and clear the land for Israel. This asserts that Israel's possession of the land was not a mere military conquest but a divinely ordained act, a fulfillment of God's promises and a demonstration of His unique relationship with His people.
* **"and shouldest thou possess it?"**: This is a potent rhetorical question directed at the king of Ammon. Following the declaration of God's decisive action, this question challenges the very legitimacy of Ammon's claim. If the sovereign God of Israel has already acted to dispossess one nation (the Amorites) to give the land to His chosen people (Israel), by what right or authority does Ammon now presume to possess it or demand its return? It implies that Ammon's claim is not only historically inaccurate but also an affront to the divine will and power of Yahweh. The question is designed to expose the weakness and presumption of the Ammonite position in light of God's established prerogative.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 11:23 employs several effective literary devices to bolster Jephthah's argument. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** that concludes the verse ("and shouldest thou possess it?"). This question is not posed to elicit an answer but to make a forceful, undeniable point, challenging the Ammonite king's premise and exposing the illogic of his claim in light of God's prior action. It serves to highlight the stark contrast between divine decree and human presumption. Furthermore, the verse heavily relies on the theme of **Divine Intervention**, explicitly naming "the LORD God of Israel" as the active agent who "dispossessed" the Amorites. This elevates Israel's claim from a mere political or military dispute to a theological one, emphasizing that their right to the land is rooted in God's sovereign will and power. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** drawn between God's decisive act of giving the land to Israel and Ammon's current, illegitimate attempt to reclaim it. This juxtaposition underscores the unassailable nature of Israel's divinely granted inheritance versus the baselessness of Ammon's demands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 11:23 is a profound theological statement wrapped in a diplomatic argument. It powerfully asserts God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and territories, demonstrating His active involvement in human history to fulfill His covenant promises. The land of Canaan was not merely a prize of war but a divine inheritance, promised to Abraham and his descendants (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")). Jephthah's argument reminds the Ammonites, and indeed Israel, that their possession of the land was a testament to Yahweh's faithfulness and power, not their own might or merit (cf. [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not by Israel's Righteousness, but by God's Dispossession")). This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder that God is the ultimate dispossessor and granter of land, establishing and removing nations according to His divine will.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")
* [Psalm 105:44](/psalms/105-44 "Psalm 105:44 - God Gave Them the Lands of the Nations")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "Acts 17:26 - God Determines Boundaries of Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jephthah's assertion in Judges 11:23 offers profound lessons for believers today. It calls us to recognize and trust in God's absolute sovereignty over all circumstances, nations, and even our personal "territories" of life. Just as God actively dispossessed the Amorites to secure an inheritance for Israel, He remains faithful to His word and His plans for those who follow Him. This should instill in us a deep confidence in God's ability to clear paths, overcome obstacles, and provide for His people, even when faced with formidable challenges or unjust claims. Our spiritual inheritance in Christ is also a divine gift, secured by God's decisive action, not by our own merit. This verse encourages us to stand firm on God's promises, to remember His past faithfulness as a guarantee of His future provision, and to confidently assert His divine prerogative in the face of any opposition that seeks to undermine what He has graciously given.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's active role in Israel's history deepen your trust in His sovereignty over your own life's circumstances and challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you struggling to "possess" what God has promised or given? How might Jephthah's argument encourage you to rely more on divine initiative than human effort?**
* **Considering God's decisive action in dispossessing the Amorites, how does this verse shape your understanding of God's justice and His commitment to His covenant people?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jephthah emphasizing the Amorites and not the Ammonites?**

Answer: Jephthah's argument hinges on a crucial historical distinction that the Ammonite king was either ignorant of or deliberately ignoring. The land Israel occupied east of the Jordan was originally taken from Sihon, king of the Amorites, not directly from the Ammonites. When Israel came out of Egypt, they sought peaceful passage through various territories, including Ammonite land, which was denied (Judges 11:17). However, they then encountered and defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, who himself had previously taken land from the Ammonites (Judges 11:13-22). Therefore, Israel's claim was that they were occupying territory conquered from the Amorites, who had previously conquered it from Ammon. Jephthah's point is that God had given *that specific land*, taken from the Amorites, to Israel. The Ammonites were attempting to reclaim land they had lost to the Amorites, but Israel had taken it from the Amorites by divine command, not from Ammon. This distinction was vital to establish Israel's legitimate, divinely-sanctioned possession.

**What does "dispossessed" mean in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "dispossessed" is _yarash_ (יָרָשׁ). While it can mean "to inherit" or "to take possession," in this context, where God is the subject and a nation is the object, it carries the strong connotation of "to drive out," "to dispossess," or "to utterly remove." It signifies a forceful, sovereign act of God to clear the land of its previous inhabitants, making way for Israel. It underscores that Israel's occupation was not merely a military conquest but a divinely ordained transfer of ownership, emphasizing God's ultimate authority over the land and its peoples. This divine act of dispossession is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, highlighting God's power to establish and remove nations according to His will (e.g., [Deuteronomy 2:21](/deuteronomy/2-21 "Deuteronomy 2:21 - God Dispossessed the Horites for Esau")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 11:23, with its emphasis on God's sovereign act of dispossessing an enemy to secure an inheritance for His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as the Lord dispossessed the Amorites for Israel, Christ, through His death and resurrection, has decisively "dispossessed" the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the spiritual powers that held humanity captive. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ Disarmed the Powers") declares that Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." He cast out "the ruler of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Prince of This World Cast Out")) and conquered the one who held the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroyed the One Who Has the Power of Death")). Through this decisive, divine act of dispossession, Christ has secured for His new covenant people, the Church, an imperishable and eternal inheritance. This inheritance is not a physical land but spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")) and a future glory that is incorruptible and undefiled ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). Thus, Jephthah's argument points to the greater reality that God, through Christ, has dispossessed the powers of darkness to grant His people an eternal, spiritual possession, ensuring that no one can legitimately challenge the divine gift of salvation and eternal life in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.