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.

Wherefore I also said {H559}, I will not drive them out {H1644} from before {H6440} you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides {H6654}, and their gods {H430} shall be a snare {H4170} unto you.

This is why I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they will be on your flanks, and their gods will become a snare for you.'"

So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.โ€

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.

Commentary

Judges 2:3 KJV is a pivotal verse that pronounces divine judgment on the Israelites for their disobedience following the conquest of Canaan. It serves as a stark warning about the consequences of failing to fully obey God's commands and compromises with worldly influences.

Context

This verse comes directly after the Angel of the Lord rebukes Israel at Bochim (meaning "weepers") for not driving out the inhabitants of the land and for making covenants with them, contrary to God's explicit instructions (Judges 2:1-2). The generation that entered Canaan with Joshua was largely faithful, but the succeeding generation began to compromise, failing to complete the task of dispossessing the indigenous peoples. This failure was a direct violation of the Mosaic Covenant, specifically commands given in books like Deuteronomy 7:2 and Exodus 23:32, which warned against making treaties with the Canaanites or leaving them in the land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: God's promise to not drive out the remaining Canaanites is a direct consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. What was once a divine command for their protection now becomes a divine judgment against them.
  • The Danger of Compromise: The Israelites' failure to fully obey led to a dangerous compromise. Instead of experiencing the blessings of complete obedience, they faced ongoing trouble and spiritual peril.
  • Spiritual Snare of Idolatry: The presence of the Canaanites meant the continued presence of their pagan gods and practices. These "gods shall be a snare unto you," drawing Israel into idolatry and away from the worship of the one true God. This theme recurs throughout the Book of Judges, illustrating Israel's repeated fall into sin (Judges 2:11-13).
  • Persistent Trouble: The phrase "thorns in your sides" vividly portrays the constant irritation, opposition, and harassment Israel would endure from these unconquered peoples.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thorns in your sides" (Hebrew: ืฆึดื“ึผึดื™ื, tsiddim, meaning "sides" or "flanks") is a powerful metaphor for persistent annoyance and affliction. It echoes similar warnings found elsewhere in scripture, such as Numbers 33:55. The word "snare" (Hebrew: ืžื•ึนืงึตืฉื, moqesh) refers to a trap, often used to catch birds or animals. Spiritually, it signifies something that leads one into ruin or moral entanglement, particularly in the context of idolatry and false worship.

Practical Application

Judges 2:3 serves as a timeless warning for believers today. Just as Israel was called to complete obedience, Christians are called to eliminate sinful influences and worldly compromises from their lives. Failure to deal decisively with sin or spiritual apathy can lead to:

  • Ongoing Struggles: Lingering "thorns" can cause persistent spiritual struggles, hindering growth and peace.
  • Spiritual Entanglements: Worldly attitudes, temptations, or false teachings can become a "snare," drawing believers away from devotion to God.
  • Loss of Blessing: Disobedience can prevent us from fully experiencing God's intended blessings and purpose for our lives, much like Israel failed to fully inherit the peace of the Promised Land.
This verse emphasizes the importance of vigilance, spiritual discernment, and a commitment to wholehearted obedience to the Lord in every area of life, avoiding the love of the world.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 23:13 (12 votes)

    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.

  • Numbers 33:55 (11 votes)

    But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

  • Deuteronomy 7:16 (7 votes)

    And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

  • Psalms 106:36 (7 votes)

    And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

  • Judges 2:21 (6 votes)

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

  • Exodus 34:12 (6 votes)

    Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

  • Exodus 23:33 (6 votes)

    They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.