Judges 2:23

KJV

Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore the LORD {H3068} left {H3240} those nations {H1471}, without {H1115} driving them out {H3423} hastily {H4118}; neither delivered {H5414} he them into the hand {H3027} of Joshua {H3091}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI allowed those nations to remain where they were, without quickly driving them out; he did not hand them over to Y'hoshua.

Berean Standard Bible

That is why the LORD had left those nations in place and had not driven them out immediately by delivering them into the hand of Joshua.

American Standard Version

So Jehovah left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:23 serves as a pivotal explanatory verse within the introductory section of the Book of Judges, revealing God's deliberate and sovereign decision to leave certain Canaanite nations unconquered within the land of Israel. This was not due to divine inability or oversight, but rather a direct consequence of Israel's profound disobedience and covenant unfaithfulness, particularly their failure to drive out the inhabitants as commanded. The remaining nations were thus permitted to persist as a divinely ordained test, a crucible intended to expose Israel's loyalty to Yahweh and to serve as a means of discipline, thereby setting the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that characterize the subsequent narrative of the Judges period.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:23 concludes a crucial introductory section (Judges 2:6-23) that bridges the era of Joshua's leadership and the chaotic period of the Judges. The preceding verses establish the narrative's theological framework: following Joshua's death, a new generation emerged that "knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel" ([Judges 2:10](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - A New Generation")). This spiritual ignorance led directly to widespread apostasy, as Israel "forsook the LORD God of their fathers" and served Baal and Ashtaroth ([Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Apostasy")). In response to this covenant breaking, the Angel of the LORD had already rebuked Israel for their failure to obey the command to drive out the inhabitants and make no covenants with them ([Judges 2:1-5](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-5 - The Angel of the LORD's Rebuke")). Judges 2:20-22 explicitly state God's judgment: because Israel had transgressed His covenant, He would no longer drive out the nations that Joshua had left, using them instead to test whether Israel would walk in His ways. Verse 23, therefore, reiterates and summarizes this divine decree, emphasizing the intentionality behind the continued presence of these nations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges covers the period between the death of Joshua (circa 1375 BC) and the rise of the monarchy (circa 1050 BC), a transitional era marked by tribal decentralization and a lack of unified leadership. Despite the initial successes of the conquest under Joshua, Israel failed to complete the task of dispossessing the Canaanite inhabitants, as commanded by God in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Destroy Nations") and [Exodus 23:23-33](/exodus/23-23 "Exodus 23:23-33 - God's Promise and Command"). This failure was often due to a lack of faith, military weakness, or a desire for economic gain. The remaining Canaanite populations, with their deeply entrenched polytheistic practices—particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah, fertility deities associated with agricultural prosperity—posed a constant spiritual threat. Intermarriage and cultural assimilation became rampant, leading Israel away from their exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. Judges 2:23 highlights God's response to this historical reality, transforming Israel's failure into a means of divine discipline and testing within the covenant framework.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 2:23 encapsulates several foundational themes of the book and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Discipline and Testing**. God, in His sovereignty, uses the very presence of Israel's enemies as a crucible to refine their faith and test their obedience, a concept echoed in [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God Tests Israel in the Wilderness"). Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Disobedience**. Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to drive out the nations led directly to prolonged spiritual and physical challenges, demonstrating that partial obedience is still disobedience with significant ramifications. Thirdly, the verse highlights **God's Measured Judgment and Sovereignty**. The phrase "without driving them out hastily" emphasizes that God's judgment was not impulsive but a deliberate, calculated act, aligning with His overarching purposes. He maintained control, allowing the nations to persist for His long-term objectives. Finally, the verse is a stark reminder of **Covenant Unfaithfulness**. The continued presence of these nations served as a perpetual sign of Israel's broken covenant with the LORD, their failure to uphold their end of the relationship, which necessitated divine intervention in the form of discipline.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **left (Hebrew, _yannach'_):** From the root `נוּחַ` (nuach), meaning "to rest, settle, allow to remain." In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it signifies "to cause to rest," "to leave undisturbed," or "to allow to remain." This is an active, intentional verb, not a passive oversight. It emphasizes God's deliberate decision to permit the nations to stay, rather than His inability to remove them. It conveys divine agency in the withholding of complete conquest.
* **hastily (Hebrew, _b'maherah'_):** This adverb means "quickly, speedily, in haste." Its inclusion emphasizes the measured, unhurried nature of God's action. God was not constrained by time or power; His decision to not drive them out quickly was a conscious, strategic choice, directly linked to Israel's behavior. It highlights the deliberateness of divine judgment and patience.
* **delivered (Hebrew, _n'tanam'_):** From the verb `נָתַן` (nathan), meaning "to give, put, set, place, deliver." Here, it means to hand over, to put into someone's power. The negation "neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua" is a retrospective statement. It clarifies that even Joshua, the great conqueror, was not empowered to complete this final phase of the conquest because the *subsequent* generation's unfaithfulness had altered God's plan for them. God's act of "not delivering" was a direct consequence of Israel's sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the LORD left those nations,"**: This opening clause establishes a direct causal link between Israel's preceding disobedience (detailed in Judges 2:1-19) and God's subsequent action. The "Therefore" points back to Israel's failure to drive out the inhabitants and their apostasy. God's "leaving" is an active, sovereign choice, not a passive omission. He intentionally allowed the Canaanite nations to remain in the land.
* **"without driving them out hastily;"**: This phrase clarifies the nature of God's action. It was not a failure of divine power or a lack of commitment to His promises. Rather, God deliberately chose *not* to complete the expulsion of the nations quickly. This indicates a measured, intentional withholding of His full power of conquest, demonstrating that His judgment was calculated and purposeful, designed to serve a specific end—the testing and discipline of Israel.
* **"neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua."**: This final clause is a retrospective observation. It emphasizes that even under the leadership of Joshua, the instrument of much of Israel's initial conquest, God's full and complete victory over all the nations was not achieved for the *succeeding* generation. This is not a slight against Joshua's leadership, but rather a profound statement about the impact of Israel's *later* unfaithfulness. God withheld the final, decisive victory, preventing Joshua (or, by extension, the generation he led) from fully completing the task, because of the subsequent generation's rebellion. This highlights the severe consequences of covenant breaking.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:23 employs several potent literary devices. Central to its message is **Retribution Theology**, which posits a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's actions (disobedience and idolatry) and God's response (judgment and discipline). The "Therefore" explicitly links Israel's sin to God's decision. The verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the entire cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges, where Israel's repeated sin leads to oppression by these very nations, followed by their cry for deliverance, and God's raising of a judge. This establishes the theological pattern that will dominate the book. Furthermore, the verse powerfully demonstrates **Divine Sovereignty**; God is not merely reacting to Israel's failure but actively orchestrating the consequences, using the remaining nations as instruments of His will. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the very nations Israel failed to conquer, out of spiritual laziness or compromise, become the means by which God tests and disciplines them, turning their failure into their crucible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:23 is a profound theological statement on God's covenant faithfulness and His method of discipline. It reveals that God's justice is not arbitrary but is a direct response to human sin, particularly the breaking of a solemn covenant. While seemingly a punitive act, God's decision to leave the nations was ultimately an act of tough love, designed to test Israel's loyalty and call them back to Himself. This testing reveals the true condition of the heart and provides an opportunity for repentance and growth. It underscores the biblical principle that God uses adversity, even that which stems from our own failures, to refine His people, expose their idolatries, and draw them into deeper dependence on Him. This verse serves as a stark reminder that unaddressed areas of sin or disobedience in our lives can become spiritual "nations" that God allows to remain, serving as catalysts for our spiritual growth or, if ignored, our further downfall.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God Tests Israel in the Wilderness")
* [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")
* [Romans 1:24-32](/romans/1-24 "Romans 1:24-32 - God Gives Them Over to Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:23 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today. It confronts us with the reality that our spiritual inheritance and peace are often contingent upon our complete obedience to God's commands. Just as Israel's partial obedience left "nations" in their land that became snares, so too can unaddressed areas of sin, compromise, or spiritual laziness in our own lives become persistent challenges. These "unconquered territories" might manifest as recurring temptations, character flaws, or areas where we refuse to surrender fully to God's will. God, in His wisdom and love, may allow these struggles to persist, not to torment us, but to test our faithfulness, humble us, and call us to a deeper level of repentance and reliance on Him. This verse encourages us to examine our lives, identify any areas where we have failed to "drive out" what God has commanded, and earnestly seek His strength to pursue holistic obedience, trusting that His discipline, though sometimes painful, is always for our ultimate good and spiritual maturity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "nations" or areas of unaddressed sin might God be allowing in my life as a test of faithfulness?**
* **How does partial obedience in my life lead to ongoing spiritual struggles or prevent me from experiencing the fullness of God's promises?**
* **In what ways can I recognize and respond to God's patient yet firm discipline, trusting that it is for my good and designed to draw me closer to Him?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't God just drive out the nations entirely, given His power?**

Answer: God's power was never in question. The reason He "left those nations" was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and a deliberate act of divine testing. God had explicitly commanded Israel to utterly drive out or destroy the Canaanite inhabitants ([Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Drive Out Nations")). When Israel failed to do so, instead making covenants with them and adopting their idolatrous practices, God's plan shifted. He chose to allow these nations to remain as a means of discipline and a test of Israel's faithfulness, to see if they would obey His commands in the face of temptation ([Judges 2:21-22](/judges/2-21 "Judges 2:21-22 - God's Judgment and Test")). It was a demonstration of His justice and sovereignty, turning Israel's failure into a crucible for their spiritual growth.

**Does this mean God causes sin or tempts people to sin?**

Answer: No, the Bible is clear that God does not tempt anyone to sin ([James 1:13](/james/1-13 "James 1:13 - God Does Not Tempt")). In Judges 2:23, God allows the *consequences* of Israel's existing sin (their failure to obey) to remain in their midst. These remaining nations then become a "test" or a "snare" for Israel, revealing the inclinations of their hearts. The test is whether Israel will choose to obey Yahweh or succumb to the idolatry of the surrounding peoples. God's purpose is not to induce sin, but to expose it, discipline it, and call His people to repentance and true worship.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's grace?**

Answer: While Judges 2:23 is primarily a verse of judgment and consequence, it subtly reflects aspects of God's grace and patience. Despite Israel's profound unfaithfulness and covenant breaking, God did not utterly destroy them or abandon His covenant people. Instead, He implemented a disciplinary measure designed to bring them back to Himself. His "leaving" of the nations was a form of tough love, intended to prompt repentance and renewed obedience. This ongoing discipline, though painful, ultimately aimed for Israel's restoration and the preservation of the covenant line through which the Messiah would eventually come. It demonstrates God's persistent commitment to His people, even in their rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:23, with its stark portrayal of Israel's failure to fully conquer their promised inheritance and their subsequent spiritual compromise, profoundly underscores humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey God's law and secure lasting peace or salvation through their own efforts. The "nations" left in the land serve as a poignant symbol of the indwelling sin and spiritual enemies that humanity cannot overcome on its own. This narrative of a failed conquest and subsequent judgment foreshadows the ultimate need for a greater deliverer.

Jesus Christ is the true and faithful "Joshua" (Yeshua, meaning "the LORD saves") who perfectly fulfills the Law and accomplishes the complete conquest that Israel could not. Where Israel failed to drive out the physical nations, Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, decisively conquered the spiritual "nations" of sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). He did not leave any spiritual enemy unconquered. His perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")) stands in stark contrast to Israel's repeated disobedience. Through His atoning sacrifice, the broken covenant is mended, and believers are offered a new covenant in His blood, granting them a spiritual inheritance and rest that goes beyond the physical land of Canaan ([Hebrews 4:8-11](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-11 - The True Rest in Christ")). In Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome the "nations" of sin in their own lives, not by their own strength, but by the power of the One who has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ Overcomes the World")) and fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law on our behalf ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")).

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.