Judges 2:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was hot {H2734} against Israel {H3478}, and he delivered {H5414} them into the hands {H3027} of spoilers {H8154} that spoiled {H8155} them, and he sold {H4376} them into the hands {H3027} of their enemies {H341} round about {H5439}, so that they could {H3201} not any longer {H5750} stand {H5975} before {H6440} their enemies {H341}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The anger of ADONAI blazed against Isra'el; and he handed them over to pillagers, who plundered them, and to their enemies around them; so that they could no longer resist their enemies.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:14 powerfully describes the severe consequences Israel faced due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. It marks a pivotal moment where the LORD's righteous anger, ignited by Israel's abandonment of Him, led to their subjugation. God actively withdrew His protection, delivering them into the hands of plunderers and selling them into the power of their surrounding enemies, rendering them utterly helpless and unable to resist. This verse initiates the recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, and eventual divine deliverance that defines the historical period of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse follows a crucial and tragic turning point in Israel's post-Joshua history. Judges 2:6-10 details the death of Joshua and the elders who had known the LORD and His mighty works. Judges 2:11-13 then introduces a new generation that "did not know the LORD or the works that he had done for Israel." This spiritual amnesia led directly to their forsaking the LORD, serving the Baals and Ashtaroth, and provoking God's righteous indignation. Judges 2:14, therefore, serves as the direct consequence and divine response to this profound spiritual rebellion, setting the stage for the recurring pattern of judgment and subsequent deliverance that characterizes the entire book of Judges. It is the divine explanation for the oppression Israel would repeatedly endure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 14th-11th centuries BC) was a time of loose tribal confederation in Canaan, marked by a lack of central leadership and consistent adherence to the Mosaic covenant. Israel was surrounded by various Canaanite peoples who worshipped fertility deities like Baal and Asherah (often associated with Ashtaroth). These cults promised agricultural prosperity and were deeply ingrained in the local culture, posing a constant temptation for Israel, who were commanded to utterly destroy or drive out these nations and their idolatry (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Destroy Idols")). The concept of a deity "selling" a people into the hands of their enemies was a common ancient Near Eastern motif, signifying complete divine abandonment and subjugation, often as a result of a broken covenant. For Israel, this was a direct fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")).
* **Key Themes:** Judges 2:14 is central to several key themes woven throughout the book. It highlights the theme of **Divine Displeasure and Judgment**, demonstrating that God's "hot anger" is a holy and just response to covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, not an arbitrary outburst. This leads directly to the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**, where God's protection and favor are shown to be conditional upon faithfulness; when Israel turned away, God withdrew His hand, allowing their enemies to prevail. The phrase "they could not any longer stand before their enemies" underscores the theme of **Israel's Utter Dependence on God** for strength, victory, and even survival. Without His divine assistance, they were powerless against the very nations they were meant to conquer, illustrating that their strength lay not in their numbers or military might, but in their covenant relationship with the LORD. This verse thus initiates the **Cycle of Sin, Suffering, Supplication, and Salvation** that defines the narrative arc of Judges.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hot (Hebrew, _ḥārāh'_):** This verb literally means "to burn" or "to be kindled," and when used in relation to anger, it conveys an intense, burning displeasure. It signifies a passionate, righteous indignation on the part of the LORD, not a capricious or uncontrolled outburst. God's anger here is a holy response to Israel's deliberate and repeated covenant breaking and spiritual infidelity, demonstrating His commitment to justice and the sanctity of His covenant.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nātan'_):** This common Hebrew verb means "to give," "to place," or "to deliver." In this context, it emphasizes God's active role in their judgment. It's not merely that God *allowed* things to happen, but that He *handed them over* or *gave them up* to their oppressors. This highlights divine sovereignty and agency in the consequences of Israel's sin, underscoring that the "spoilers" were instruments of God's judgment.
* **Sold (Hebrew, _mākar'_):** This verb means "to sell" or "to be sold." It is a powerful and vivid metaphor indicating complete surrender, abandonment, and subjugation. When God "sold" Israel into the hands of their enemies, it implies that they were treated as property or slaves by their adversaries, utterly losing their freedom and autonomy. This metaphor underscores the severity of their subjugation and serves as a direct parallel to their spiritual enslavement to foreign gods, highlighting the profound irony of their situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel":** This clause establishes the divine cause of Israel's suffering. God's righteous indignation was kindled due to Israel's profound spiritual rebellion, specifically their abandonment of Him and their worship of foreign gods, as detailed in the preceding verses. This "hot anger" is a just and holy response to their deliberate covenant breaking.
* **"and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them":** As a direct consequence of His anger, God actively removed His protective hand from Israel. He "delivered" or "handed them over" to hostile groups—raiders and plunderers—who then exploited and robbed them of their resources and security. This demonstrates God's direct involvement in orchestrating the consequences of their disobedience.
* **"and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about":** This phrase intensifies the previous one, using the metaphor of "selling" to convey a more complete and severe form of subjugation. It implies that Israel was treated as property, losing their freedom and becoming utterly subservient to the surrounding nations who were hostile to them. This "selling" signifies a profound loss of national identity and divine favor, a direct result of their spiritual "selling out" to idols.
* **"so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies":** This final clause describes the devastating outcome of God's judgment. Israel was rendered utterly weak, vulnerable, and defeated. They lacked the strength, unity, or divine assistance necessary to resist or overcome their adversaries. This highlights their absolute dependence on God for their strength and success, and the tragic reality of their powerlessness when His favor was withdrawn.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:14 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "the anger of the LORD was hot," attributing a human emotion (anger) and a physical sensation (heat) to God to help the audience grasp the intensity of His righteous indignation. The phrase "he sold them into the hands of their enemies" functions as a powerful **metaphor**, likening Israel's complete subjugation to the act of being sold as property, thereby emphasizing their loss of freedom and dignity. This also serves as a form of **irony**, as Israel, who were meant to conquer and possess the land, became dispossessed and enslaved. The verse also utilizes **cause and effect** as a primary structural device, clearly delineating Israel's sin (implied by God's anger) as the cause, and their subjugation and defeat as the direct effect. The repetition of similar concepts, such as being "delivered" and "sold" into the hands of enemies, creates **emphasis**, reinforcing the totality and severity of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:14 profoundly illustrates the immutable character of God as both holy and just, who responds to sin and covenant unfaithfulness with righteous anger and judgment. It underscores the biblical principle that disobedience to God's commands carries severe consequences, demonstrating that His protection and blessing are intrinsically linked to a people's faithfulness to His covenant. This verse also highlights God's sovereignty, showing that He is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, using even hostile nations as instruments of His divine purpose to discipline His people and call them back to Himself. While the immediate outcome is suffering, the larger narrative of Judges reveals that God's judgment is often a prelude to His mercy, designed to bring about repentance and restoration, demonstrating His enduring love even amidst His justice.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 106:40-42](/psalms/106-40 "Psalm 106:40-42 - God's Anger and Deliverance")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:14 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder that there are profound and often painful consequences for spiritual rebellion and disobedience, both for individuals and communities. It compels us to examine our own lives and societies for areas where we might be "selling ourselves" into bondage by prioritizing worldly desires, material possessions, self-gratification, or even human ideologies over our relationship with God and adherence to His revealed will. The verse challenges us to consider what "spoilers" or "enemies" might be gaining ground in our lives because we have, perhaps subtly, allowed our devotion to grow cold or our covenant with God to be neglected. It underscores the critical importance of spiritual vigilance, consistent faithfulness, and an active pursuit of God's presence. Our ability to "stand" against the spiritual battles and challenges of life is directly tied to our walk with the LORD; when we forsake Him, we forfeit His divine protection and empowering presence, leaving us vulnerable and defeated. This verse calls us to a renewed commitment to God, recognizing that true strength and security are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Judges 2:14 challenge our modern understanding of God's character, particularly His anger?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might we, as individuals or as the church, be "selling ourselves" into spiritual bondage or allowing "spoilers" to gain ground in our lives today?**
* **What "enemies" or challenges do we face that we cannot "stand before" without God's active presence and protection?**
* **What steps can we take to ensure we are not forgetting "the LORD or the works that he has done" in our own generation, as Israel did?**

### FAQ

**Was God's anger arbitrary or capricious in Judges 2:14?**

Answer: No, God's anger described in Judges 2:14 was not arbitrary but a righteous and just response to Israel's deliberate and persistent covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry. The preceding verses (Judges 2:11-13) clearly state that Israel "forsook the LORD" and "served the Baals and the Ashtaroth." God had explicitly warned them in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")) about the severe consequences of such disobedience. His anger was a holy indignation against sin that violated the sacred covenant He had established with them, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His own character and His covenant promises.

**What does it mean that God "sold them into the hands of their enemies"?**

Answer: The phrase "sold them" is a powerful metaphor, not a literal transaction. It signifies a complete and utter surrender or abandonment of Israel to the power of their adversaries. In the ancient Near East, being "sold" often implied becoming a slave or a captive, losing all freedom and dignity. Here, it illustrates that God withdrew His divine protection and actively allowed Israel to become utterly subjugated and exploited by their surrounding enemies. It underscores the severity of their punishment and highlights the profound irony: by spiritually "selling themselves" to false gods, they were justly "sold" into physical bondage by the true God. This emphasizes the direct link between their spiritual idolatry and their physical oppression.

**Does God still get "hot" with anger today, and how does this relate to believers?**

Answer: Yes, God's character is unchanging, and His holiness still responds to sin with righteous anger (e.g., [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")). While the specific outworking of His judgment differs under the New Covenant, the principle of divine displeasure against unrighteousness remains. For believers in Christ, the "hot anger" of God against sin was fully poured out upon Jesus on the cross (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Therefore, those who are "in Christ" are no longer under the condemnation of God's wrath (e.g., [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). However, God still disciplines His children out of love (e.g., [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline")) and expects faithfulness, and there are natural and spiritual consequences for disobedience even for believers, though not the same wrath of condemnation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:14, with its stark depiction of God's "hot anger" and Israel's utter inability to "stand before their enemies," powerfully foreshadows humanity's universal predicament and ultimate need for a divine deliverer. Israel's cycle of sin, subjugation, and cries for help reveals a deeper spiritual truth: humanity, in its fallen state, is perpetually prone to forsake God, leading to spiritual bondage and an inability to stand against the true enemies of sin, death, and the devil. The "anger of the LORD" against Israel's idolatry points to God's righteous wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (as seen in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed")). Yet, in the person of Jesus Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment and resolution to this ancient cycle. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, willingly bore the full brunt of God's "hot anger" on the cross, becoming the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (as declared in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and explained in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, believers are no longer "sold into the hands of their enemies" (sin and death), but are redeemed and set free (as taught in [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through Christ")). Furthermore, where Israel could not "stand before their enemies," Christ enables His followers to "stand firm" in the face of spiritual opposition, clothed in His righteousness and empowered by His Spirit (as exhorted in [Ephesians 6:13](/ephesians/6-13 "Ephesians 6:13 - Stand Firm in the Lord")). Thus, Judges 2:14 ultimately points to the profound necessity and glorious sufficiency of Christ as our only true deliverer from divine judgment and spiritual defeat.

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

2 Kings 17:20

And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

Psalms 106:40

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

Psalms 106:42

Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

Deuteronomy 32:30

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Deuteronomy 31:17

Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God [is] not among us?

Deuteronomy 31:18

And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.

Leviticus 26:37

And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.