Judges 11:25

And now [art] thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,

And now art thou any thing better {H2896} than Balak {H1111} the son {H1121} of Zippor {H6834}, king {H4428} of Moab {H4124}? did he ever {H7378} strive {H7378} against Israel {H3478}, or did he ever {H3898} fight {H3898} against them,

Really, are you better than Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Mo'av? Did he ever pick a quarrel with Isra'el or fight with us?

Are you now so much better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend with Israel or fight against them?

And now art thou anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?

Commentary

Context of Judges 11:25

Judges 11:25 is part of a crucial diplomatic exchange between Jephthah, the newly appointed leader of Gilead, and the king of the Ammonites. The Ammonites were threatening war, claiming that Israel had stolen their land during their exodus from Egypt. In response, Jephthah sends a detailed historical rebuttal, spanning Judges 11:15-27. He meticulously recounts Israel's journey through the wilderness, emphasizing that they did not invade Moabite or Ammonite territory, but only the land of the Amorites, which God had given them. This specific verse serves as a rhetorical question, challenging the Ammonite king's current belligerence by comparing him unfavorably to Balak, the king of Moab, who, despite his hostility towards Israel, never directly engaged them in battle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Historical Legitimacy: Jephthah's argument hinges on historical fact to assert Israel's rightful claim to the land, which was granted by divine providence, not by unjust conquest from Ammon.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The underlying message is that the land was given to Israel by the Lord God, as Jephthah states in Judges 11:23. This implies that the Ammonite king is not only challenging Israel but also God's decree.
  • Diplomatic Skill: Jephthah demonstrates shrewd diplomacy by using an opponent's own history (Balak's restraint) to undermine their current aggressive stance, highlighting the Ammonite king's unreasonable demands.
  • Contrast in Leadership: The verse draws a clear distinction between Balak's ultimate decision not to directly fight Israel (despite his desire to curse them through Balaam) and the Ammonite king's current unwarranted aggression.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words translated "strive" (Χ¨Φ΄Χ™Χ‘, riv) and "fight" (ΧœΦΈΧ—Φ·Χ, lacham) both denote conflict, but with subtle differences. Riv often implies a legal contention, dispute, or quarreling, while lacham refers specifically to physical warfare or battle. Jephthah's rhetorical question emphasizes that Balak, despite his deep-seated animosity and attempts to use Balaam to curse Israel (as detailed in Numbers 22-24), never initiated a direct military confrontation. This absence of actual combat strengthens Jephthah's argument that even a hostile king like Balak understood the boundaries and the futility of fighting against God's chosen people, unlike the current Ammonite king who was acting without such historical precedent.

Practical Application

Judges 11:25 offers several insights for believers today:

  • Defending Truth with Facts: Like Jephthah, we are called to stand for truth and, when necessary, to defend it with clear, factual, and historically sound arguments, especially when facing false accusations or claims.
  • Learning from History: The past actions of nations and leaders, even those who were hostile, can provide valuable lessons and precedents. Understanding history helps us interpret present circumstances and anticipate future outcomes.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: The verse implicitly points to God's guiding hand in history, establishing boundaries and giving possession according to His divine will. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control over nations, conflicts, and events, as He always works for the good of His people.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 6:5

    O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.

  • Joshua 24:9

    Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:

  • Joshua 24:10

    But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

  • Deuteronomy 23:3

    An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:

  • Deuteronomy 23:4

    Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

  • Numbers 22:2

    And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

  • Numbers 22:21

    And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
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