Judges 13:1

KJV

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did {H6213} evil {H7451} again {H3254} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}; and the LORD {H3068} delivered {H5414} them into the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430} forty {H705} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Again the people of Isra'el did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, and ADONAI handed them over to the P'lishtim for forty years.

Berean Standard Bible

Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 13:1 masterfully sets the stage for the longest and most formidable period of oppression recorded in the book of Judges, introducing the Philistine subjugation of Israel. This verse encapsulates the tragic, recurring cycle of Israel's spiritual apostasy, God's righteous judgment, and the subsequent suffering of His people. It establishes the dire circumstances that necessitate the miraculous birth and subsequent, albeit flawed, ministry of Samson, highlighting the nation's profound need for a deliverer from both external enemies and internal spiritual decay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 13:1 marks a crucial transition within the book of Judges, initiating the final major narrative cycle centered on Samson. Following the accounts of previous judges like Jephthah and Abdon, who brought periods of relative peace, this verse immediately plunges Israel back into the familiar pattern of disobedience and oppression. The phrase "did evil again" explicitly links this new period of suffering to the foundational theological framework established in [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-19 - The Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance"), where the cyclical nature of Israel's relationship with God is clearly articulated. This verse signals the commencement of a forty-year Philistine domination, setting the stage for the birth narrative of Samson and the subsequent, often tumultuous, interactions between Israel and their powerful new oppressors, culminating in Samson's dramatic, yet ultimately limited, acts of deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines, a confederation of "Sea Peoples" who migrated from the Aegean region, had settled along the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan (the Pentapolis: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron) by the time of the Judges. They were technologically superior, possessing iron weaponry and chariots, which gave them a significant military advantage over the Israelite tribes who were still primarily using bronze. Their polytheistic religion, centered on deities like Dagon and Baal-zebub, posed a constant spiritual threat to Israel's monotheistic covenant with Yahweh. The "forty years" of oppression indicates a deeply entrenched and pervasive Philistine control, suggesting not merely raids but a sustained political and economic subjugation that would have severely impacted Israelite life and worship, forcing them into a state of dependence and fear.

* **Key Themes:** This opening verse powerfully reinforces several overarching themes of the book of Judges. Foremost is the **Cycle of Disobedience and Divine Discipline**, as Israel's repeated "evil" provokes God's just response of "delivering them into the hand" of their enemies, a pattern seen throughout the book (e.g., [Judges 3:7-8](/judges/3-7 "Judges 3:7-8 - Othniel's Oppression") and [Judges 6:1](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1 - Midianite Oppression")). It also underscores **God's Sovereignty and Active Involvement** in Israel's history; He is not a passive observer but actively uses foreign nations as instruments of His righteous judgment and, ultimately, as catalysts for repentance. The introduction of the Philistines as a major, long-term oppressor foreshadows the ongoing conflict that would define the early monarchy (e.g., [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Ark Captured by Philistines") and [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath")), highlighting Israel's persistent failure to fully dispossess the inhabitants of the land and their continued need for a true and lasting deliverer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _hara'_)**: This term, often translated as "evil" or "wickedness," carries significant moral and theological weight. In the context of Judges, it consistently refers to Israel's deliberate turning away from the LORD and His covenant, primarily through idolatry (worshipping other gods) and syncretism (mixing Yahweh worship with pagan practices). The phrase "did evil again" (Hebrew, `וַיֹּסִפוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת הָרָע`, _vayyosifu la'asot hara'_) literally means "they added to do evil," emphasizing the repetitive, intentional, and cumulative nature of their transgression, rather than an accidental lapse. It highlights a deep-seated spiritual rebellion that had become habitual.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _natan_)**: The verb `נָתַן` (_natan_) means "to give," "to place," or "to deliver." Here, it signifies God's active and deliberate hand in handing over His people to their enemies. It is not a passive allowance of suffering but a direct act of divine judgment and discipline. This active "giving over" underscores God's sovereignty and His commitment to the covenant, which included both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). It demonstrates that the Philistine oppression was a direct consequence of Israel's sin, orchestrated by the LORD Himself.
* **Forty years (Hebrew, _arba'im shana_)**: The number forty frequently appears in biblical narratives as a significant period of testing, judgment, or preparation. Examples include the forty years of wandering in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:33](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33 - Forty Years in the Wilderness")), forty days of flood ([Genesis 7:17](/genesis/7-17 "Genesis 7:17 - The Flood Begins")), or forty days of fasting ([Deuteronomy 9:9](/deuteronomy/9-9 "Deuteronomy 9:9 - Moses on Mount Sinai")). In Judges 13:1, "forty years" signifies a prolonged and severe period of divine discipline, indicating the depth of Israel's spiritual decline and the intensity of God's corrective measure. It suggests a generation-long period of suffering intended to bring about repentance and a return to faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD;":** This opening clause immediately re-establishes the tragic cycle that defines the book of Judges. The phrase "children of Israel" emphasizes their identity as God's covenant people, making their repeated disobedience all the more grievous. "Did evil again" highlights the persistent and deliberate nature of their sin, primarily idolatry and abandonment of the LORD, despite previous experiences of judgment and deliverance. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" underscores that their sin was not hidden but a direct affront to God's holiness and His covenant relationship with them.
* **"and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines":** This clause reveals God's active and sovereign response to Israel's rebellion. The LORD, in His justice and faithfulness to His covenant, directly "delivered" or "gave" His people into the power of their enemies. The Philistines, a powerful and technologically advanced people, are identified as the specific instrument of divine discipline. This act of "delivering" serves as a severe corrective measure, designed to humble Israel and lead them to repentance, demonstrating that God uses even foreign nations to accomplish His purposes.
* **"forty years.":** This final phrase specifies the duration of the Philistine oppression. The period of "forty years" is significant, denoting a long and arduous time of suffering and testing. It signifies a complete generation under foreign domination, emphasizing the severity and endurance of God's judgment. This prolonged period of affliction underscores the deep-seated nature of Israel's spiritual problem and sets the stage for the desperate need for a deliverer, which the subsequent narrative of Samson will address.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 13:1 is rich in literary devices that underscore its theological message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the recurrence of the "cycle of sin" motif that pervades the entire book of Judges. The phrase "did evil again" immediately signals a return to this familiar pattern: apostasy leads to oppression, which leads to a cry for help, followed by a deliverer, and a period of peace, only for the cycle to restart. This repetition serves to highlight Israel's spiritual stubbornness and the persistent nature of their rebellion against God. Another device is **Foreshadowing**, as the verse explicitly sets the stage for the entire Samson narrative. The mention of the Philistines and the forty-year oppression creates a dramatic tension and anticipation for the coming deliverer. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Irony** in God's chosen people repeatedly falling into the very idolatry they were meant to eradicate, leading to their subjugation by those they were meant to conquer. Finally, the use of the **Divine Passive/Active Voice** (God "delivered" them) emphasizes God's ultimate sovereignty and control over historical events, even when they involve suffering and judgment, reinforcing His role as the primary actor in Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 13:1 powerfully encapsulates the core theological message of the book of Judges and resonates with broader biblical themes. It underscores the unwavering principle that sin, particularly covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, inevitably leads to divine judgment and suffering. Yet, even within this judgment, God's steadfastness and commitment to His covenant people are evident; His discipline is not abandonment but a means to call them back to Himself. The "forty years" of oppression highlight the depth of Israel's spiritual sickness and the severity of God's corrective measures, demonstrating that genuine repentance often requires prolonged periods of humbling. This verse also implicitly points to the ongoing need for a true and lasting deliverer, one who can not only rescue from external enemies but also address the internal spiritual brokenness that perpetuates the cycle of sin.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 106:34-46](/psalm/106-34 "Psalm 106:34-46 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Mercy")
* [Nehemiah 9:26-31](/nehemiah/9-26 "Nehemiah 9:26-31 - Israel's Disobedience and God's Patience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 13:1 serves as a stark mirror for both individuals and communities today. The phrase "did evil again" should prompt us to honestly examine our own lives for recurring patterns of sin, spiritual apathy, or areas where we repeatedly compromise our faith. Are there "forty-year" cycles of struggle in our lives that stem from unaddressed disobedience or a failure to truly learn from past consequences? This verse reminds us that God's discipline, though painful, is ultimately redemptive. Just as He "delivered" Israel into the hands of their oppressors to bring them to repentance, challenging circumstances in our lives can be divine invitations to return to Him, to re-evaluate our priorities, and to deepen our reliance on His grace. It calls us to break free from the gravitational pull of spiritual complacency and to actively pursue a life of consistent faithfulness, recognizing that true freedom comes not from escaping consequences, but from genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to the LORD.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "evil" patterns or recurring areas of disobedience do I see in my own life or in the church today?**
* **How do I respond when God allows difficult circumstances or "delivers" me into challenging situations? Do I see them as punishment, or as opportunities for growth and repentance?**
* **What lessons can I learn from Israel's forty years of oppression about the long-term consequences of unaddressed sin and spiritual apathy?**
* **In what ways am I, or is my community, in need of a "deliverer" from internal spiritual struggles or external pressures?**

### FAQ

**What kind of "evil" did the children of Israel do again?**

Answer: While Judges 13:1 does not specify the exact nature of the "evil," the consistent pattern throughout the book of Judges (e.g., [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel Forsook the LORD")) indicates that Israel's primary sin was idolatry—worshipping the gods of the surrounding nations, particularly Baal and Ashtoreth—and forsaking their covenant with the LORD. This often involved syncretism, attempting to blend the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices, which was a direct violation of the first two commandments ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Two Commandments")). Their "evil" was a comprehensive spiritual rebellion against their covenant Lord.

**Why did God "deliver" them into the hand of the Philistines?**

Answer: God "delivered" them as an act of divine discipline and judgment, not abandonment. This action was a direct consequence of Israel's repeated and deliberate sin, particularly their idolatry and unfaithfulness to the covenant. God, in His sovereignty and justice, used the Philistines as an instrument to humble His people, to expose the futility of their false gods, and to drive them to repentance and a renewed dependence on Him. This is a recurring theme in Judges, where God raises up oppressors to bring His people back to Himself (e.g., [Judges 3:7-9](/judges/3-7 "Judges 3:7-9 - Othniel's Deliverance")).

**What is the significance of the "forty years" of oppression?**

Answer: In biblical numerology, "forty" often symbolizes a period of testing, judgment, or significant transition. Examples include the forty years Israel wandered in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:33](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33 - Forty Years of Wandering")), Moses' forty days on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 34:28](/exodus/34-28 "Exodus 34:28 - Moses on Sinai")), or Elijah's forty-day journey to Horeb ([1 Kings 19:8](/1_kings/19-8 "1 Kings 19:8 - Elijah's Journey")). In Judges 13:1, "forty years" signifies a prolonged and severe period of divine discipline, indicating the depth of Israel's spiritual decline and the intensity of God's corrective measure. It suggests a generation-long period of suffering intended to bring about a profound and lasting repentance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 13:1, with its stark portrayal of Israel's repeated sin and subsequent oppression, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a perfect and ultimate deliverer, a need that finds its complete fulfillment only in Jesus Christ. The "evil again" of Israel reflects the universal human condition of sinfulness and rebellion against God, a cycle that no human effort or even the temporary deliverance of judges like Samson could definitively break. Samson, despite his miraculous birth and strength, was a flawed deliverer, ultimately unable to provide lasting freedom from the Philistine threat or Israel's spiritual brokenness. In contrast, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), enters human history not merely to deliver from external oppressors but to break the very power of sin and death itself ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). He is the one who, unlike Samson, perfectly obeys God ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")), offering a definitive sacrifice that atones for our "evil" once and for all ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). Through His resurrection, Christ provides not just a temporary reprieve but eternal life and a new creation, enabling believers to live in true freedom from the cycle of sin that plagued ancient Israel ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the ultimate Judge and Deliverer, whose reign brings true peace and righteousness, far surpassing the limited and often compromised deliverances of the Old Testament.

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.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 12:9

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.

Judges 6:1

¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Romans 2:6

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

Judges 3:7

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

Judges 2:11

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

Judges 4:1

¶ And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.

Judges 10:6

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.