Judges 2:21

KJV

I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:

KJV (with Strong's)

I also will not henceforth {H3254} drive out {H3423} any {H376} from before {H6440} them of the nations {H1471} which Joshua {H3091} left {H5800} when he died {H4191}:

Complete Jewish Bible

in the future, I will not expel ahead of them any of the nations that Y'hoshua left when he died.

Berean Standard Bible

I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died.

American Standard Version

I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:21 presents a somber divine declaration, revealing God's decisive response to Israel's profound and persistent disobedience following the death of Joshua. Due to their failure to utterly dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants and their subsequent compromise with pagan practices, God withdraws His active assistance in the conquest, stating He will no longer drive out the remaining nations from before them. This pivotal verse underscores the gravity of covenant unfaithfulness and sets the stage for the recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that characterizes the era of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:21 is situated at a critical juncture in the book, immediately following the Angel of the Lord's solemn rebuke at [Bochim](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-5 - The Angel of the Lord's Rebuke at Bochim"). This divine confrontation highlights Israel's grievous failure to obey God's explicit command to destroy the inhabitants of the land and their altars, as detailed in [Judges 2:2](/judges/2-2 "Judges 2:2 - Israel's Covenant Breaking"). The narrative then transitions to describe the rise of a new generation that "[knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - The New Generation that Knew Not the Lord")" ([Judges 2:10](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - The New Generation that Knew Not the Lord")). This spiritual ignorance led directly to their turning away from God and serving Baal and Ashtaroth ([Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Idolatry and Apostasy")), which in turn provoked God's anger and the explicit declaration found in verse 21. This verse establishes the divine rationale for the subsequent cycle of oppression and deliverance that defines the entire book of [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - A Cycle of Disobedience and Deliverance").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges covers the period between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy, a turbulent time when Israel was transitioning from a unified, conquering force to a loosely confederated group of tribes settled in the land of Canaan. God had given clear commands in the Mosaic Law, particularly in [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Drive Out Nations") and [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Command to Utterly Destroy"), to utterly dispossess the Canaanite nations and destroy their idolatrous practices. This was not merely for territorial acquisition but for the spiritual purity of Israel, preventing them from being ensnared by the pervasive and morally corrupting worship of deities like Baal (god of storm and fertility) and Ashtoreth (goddess of fertility and war). Israel's failure, as evidenced in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquest"), was a direct violation of their covenant obligations, allowing pockets of pagan influence to remain, which then became "thorns in their sides" ([Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Remaining Inhabitants as Thorns")).

* **Key Themes:** Judges 2:21 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book and Israel's covenant relationship with God. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Consequence**, demonstrating that God's promises of assistance are often conditional upon human obedience. His withdrawal of active intervention is not arbitrary but a just response to Israel's deliberate and sustained unfaithfulness. Secondly, it underscores **Israel's Disobedience and Idolatry**, revealing their profound spiritual decline from the generation that witnessed God's mighty acts. Their compromise with the surrounding cultures and adoption of pagan worship ([Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Apostasy")) directly provoked this divine decree. Finally, the verse foreshadows the theme of **The Remaining Nations as a Test**, which is explicitly stated in [Judges 2:22](/judges/2-22 "Judges 2:22 - The Nations Remain to Test Israel"). These nations, once targets for complete expulsion, would now serve as a constant temptation and a means for God to prove Israel's loyalty and faithfulness to His covenant commands, providing a crucible for their spiritual maturity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **drive out (Hebrew, יָרַשׁ, _yârash_):** This primitive root signifies "to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin." In the context of the conquest, it often refers to God's active role in enabling Israel to dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants from the land, granting them their inheritance. God's declaration that He "will not henceforth drive out" signifies a withdrawal of this divine, proactive assistance in the conquest, shifting the responsibility and consequences back to Israel. It implies a cessation of His miraculous intervention on their behalf in this specific area.
* **nations (Hebrew, גּוֹי, _gôwy_):** This noun, often pluralized as _goyim_ in context, refers to "a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile." In the Book of Judges, it specifically denotes the various non-Israelite peoples inhabiting Canaan, such as the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These were the very peoples God had commanded Israel to utterly destroy or drive out due to their idolatry and abominable practices. Their continued presence, as a result of Israel's failure, became a source of spiritual corruption and a perpetual test.
* **left (Hebrew, עָזַב, _ʻâzab_):** This primitive root means "to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse." The phrase "which Joshua left" is crucial as it highlights Israel's direct responsibility in the incomplete conquest. While Joshua was a faithful leader, the collective failure of the tribes to fully obey God's command resulted in these nations being "left" within the land. God's declaration in Judges 2:21 directly addresses this human failure, using it as the basis for His disciplinary action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them":** This clause reveals God's direct, personal declaration of judgment. The emphatic "I also" underscores God's reciprocal action in response to Israel's failure; having previously promised to drive out their enemies, He now states He will cease this active intervention. "Henceforth" indicates a definitive change in divine strategy from this point forward, marking a new phase in Israel's relationship with God characterized by the consequences of their disobedience and the withdrawal of His immediate, supernatural assistance in this specific task.
* **"of the nations which Joshua left when he died":** This specifies the particular nations that will remain. It directly links God's disciplinary action to Israel's past failures during the time of Joshua, particularly the incomplete conquest detailed in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - The Incomplete Conquest"). The phrase "when he died" signifies the end of an era of strong, unified leadership and highlights the transition to a period where Israel's lack of faithfulness became more pronounced without Joshua's direct guidance. These are not new enemies, but those they failed to deal with previously, now serving as a persistent reminder of their unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Judges 2:21 is **Divine Speech**, where God directly declares His judgment and altered course of action. This direct address underscores the gravity and finality of His decision, emphasizing that the consequences are a direct result of Israel's choices. The verse also functions as a powerful statement of **Consequence**, explicitly linking Israel's past disobedience (their failure to drive out the nations) to God's present withdrawal of aid. This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship that will define the narrative cycle of the Book of Judges. Furthermore, it serves as a potent instance of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the recurring pattern of Israel's oppression by these very nations, their cries for help, and God's raising up of judges, thereby outlining the entire structural framework of the subsequent chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:21 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine justice and the serious consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. God, who is faithful to His promises, is also just in His judgments. Israel's failure to obey the clear command to dispossess the nations was not a minor oversight but a fundamental breach of their covenant relationship, demonstrating a lack of trust and a willingness to compromise with idolatry. This verse highlights that God's blessings and active intervention are often conditional upon His people's obedience. When His people choose compromise and disobedience, God may withdraw His protective hand or allow the natural consequences of their choices to unfold, sometimes even using those consequences as a means of discipline and testing. This serves as a stark reminder that spiritual compromise inevitably leads to spiritual vulnerability and hardship.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-19](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-19 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Leviticus 26:14-17](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-17 - Consequences of Breaking God's Covenant")
* [Psalm 106:34-36](/psalm/106-34 "Psalm 106:34-36 - Israel's Failure to Obey")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:21 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency and the dangers of compromise with worldly influences. For believers today, it underscores that our choices have profound spiritual repercussions. Just as Israel's failure to "drive out" the nations led to ongoing struggle and oppression, our own reluctance to "drive out" sinful habits, worldly values, or ungodly influences from our lives can leave us vulnerable to spiritual stagnation, recurring temptations, and a diminished experience of God's blessing and active intervention. This verse calls us to radical obedience, reminding us that God's commands are for our good and His glory. While God's decision to leave the nations was a form of judgment, it was also part of His redemptive plan to test and refine His people, as further elaborated in [Judges 2:22-23](/judges/2-22 "Judges 2:22-23 - The Purpose of the Remaining Nations"). Therefore, when we face persistent struggles or "thorns in the flesh," we are invited to examine our hearts for areas of disobedience or compromise, trusting that God's discipline, though painful, is ultimately intended to draw us closer to Him and conform us to the image of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tolerating "nations" or influences that God has called me to "drive out"?**
* **How does persistent disobedience, even in seemingly small areas, invite unwanted consequences into my spiritual journey?**
* **How can I view God's discipline or the presence of ongoing struggles not as abandonment, but as an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did God not drive out the nations if He had promised to?**

Answer: God's promise to drive out the nations was conditional upon Israel's obedience to His covenant commands, particularly the command to utterly dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan and destroy their idolatrous altars. Judges 2:21 is a declaration of divine consequence, not a broken promise on God's part. Israel failed to fulfill their part of the covenant, as detailed in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - The Incomplete Conquest") and confirmed by the Angel of the Lord in [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-3 - The Angel of the Lord's Rebuke"). Because they chose to make covenants with the inhabitants and serve their gods, God withdrew His active assistance in the conquest. As [Judges 2:22](/judges/2-22 "Judges 2:22 - The Nations Remain to Test Israel") clarifies, God's purpose in leaving these nations was now "to prove Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did, or not." It was a form of discipline and a test of their faithfulness.

**Does this mean God gives up on His people when they disobey?**

Answer: No, Judges 2:21 does not indicate that God gives up on His people, but rather that He disciplines them. God's character is steadfast love and faithfulness, even when His people are unfaithful ([2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "2 Timothy 2:13 - God Remains Faithful")). The withdrawal of His active assistance in driving out the nations was a form of disciplinary judgment intended to call Israel back to Himself. Throughout the Book of Judges, despite Israel's repeated cycles of apostasy, God consistently raised up judges to deliver them when they cried out to Him ([Judges 2:16-18](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16-18 - God Raises Up Judges")). This demonstrates His enduring patience and commitment to His covenant people, even as He allows the consequences of their sin to serve as a painful, yet ultimately redemptive, teacher. As [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves") teaches, God disciplines those He loves for their good, that they may share in His holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:21, with its stark portrayal of Israel's failure and God's consequent withdrawal of aid, powerfully foreshadows humanity's universal inability to perfectly obey God's commands and conquer the "nations" of sin and spiritual opposition. Israel's incomplete conquest and subsequent entrapment by the remaining Canaanites mirrors the human condition where, apart from Christ, we are unable to fully "drive out" the indwelling sin that wars against our souls ([Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Struggle with Sin")). The Law, like God's command to Israel, exposed humanity's sin but could not provide the power to overcome it ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - The Law's Weakness to Save")). However, in Jesus Christ, we find the ultimate Joshua, the One who perfectly fulfilled the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")) and decisively conquered all spiritual enemies—Satan, sin, and death—through His sacrificial death and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Unlike Israel, who faced the consequences of their disobedience, believers in Christ are given the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to "put to death the deeds of the body" ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Life by the Spirit")) and live in obedience, thereby experiencing true spiritual victory and inheriting the promised land of eternal life, free from the dominion of sin ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Sin Shall Not Have Dominion")).

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

Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Judges 2:3

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

Judges 3:3

[Namely], five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

Ezekiel 20:24

Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.