Judges 2:4

KJV

And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} these words {H1697} unto all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that the people {H5971} lifted up {H5375} their voice {H6963}, and wept {H1058}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the angel of ADONAI spoke these words to all the people of Isra'el, they began crying and wailing at the top of their voices.

Berean Standard Bible

When the angel of the LORD had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when the angel of Jehovah spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:4 captures a pivotal moment where, in response to the Angel of the LORD's solemn rebuke detailing their covenant unfaithfulness, the children of Israel collectively lift their voices and weep. This profound emotional outpouring at Bochim ("weepers") signifies a corporate acknowledgment of their disobedience and the painful realization of the consequences of their compromise with the Canaanite nations, setting a foundational, albeit often fleeting, pattern for the cycles of apostasy and repentance that characterize the entire book of Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:4 immediately follows the solemn divine rebuke delivered by the Angel of the LORD in [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1-3 "Judges 2:1-3 - The Angel of the LORD's Rebuke"). This passage serves as a crucial hinge in the book, transitioning from the initial successes and failures of the conquest detailed in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Initial Conquests and Failures") to the recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that defines the subsequent narratives of the judges. The Angel's words meticulously outline Israel's covenant violations – their failure to drive out the inhabitants and their making of covenants with them, leading to the worship of foreign gods. The people's weeping in verse 4 is the direct, emotional response to this divine indictment, confirming their understanding of the gravity of their disobedience and the impending consequences, as stated in [Judges 2:3](/judges/2-3 "Judges 2:3 - Consequences of Disobedience"). It marks the point where the people collectively acknowledge their sin, even if their repentance proves to be short-lived.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 14th-11th centuries BC) was a transitional era for Israel, following the conquest of Canaan and preceding the establishment of the monarchy. It was characterized by a decentralized tribal confederacy, frequent skirmishes with remaining Canaanite populations, and significant religious syncretism. The command to utterly dispossess the Canaanites and destroy their altars ([Deuteronomy 7:1-16](/deuteronomy/7-1-16 "Deuteronomy 7:1-16 - Command to Dispossess Canaanites")) was not merely a military strategy but a theological imperative to preserve Israel's covenant purity and prevent idolatry. The Israelites' failure to do so, as highlighted by the Angel of the LORD, led to cultural and religious assimilation, where they adopted the practices of the surrounding pagan nations. The "weeping" at Bochim was a public, communal expression of grief and lament, a common cultural practice in the ancient Near East for expressing profound sorrow, whether over death, disaster, or, in this case, a collective spiritual failure. It reflects a moment of corporate realization of their precarious position and the implications of their unfaithfulness to Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Judges. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Rebuke and Accountability**. God, through His messenger, directly confronts Israel's unfaithfulness, demonstrating that covenant disobedience has severe implications and that He holds His people accountable for their choices. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Sorrow and Fleeting Repentance**. The people's collective weeping signifies a profound emotional response to the realization of their sin and the consequences outlined in [Judges 2:3](/judges/2-3 "Judges 2:3 - Consequences of Disobedience"). While genuine in the moment, this sorrow often proved temporary, foreshadowing the cyclical pattern of Israel's crying out to God in distress only after periods of oppression, as seen throughout the book (e.g., [Judges 3:9](/judges/3-9 "Judges 3:9 - Israel Cries Out to the LORD")). Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Weight of Disobedience and Compromise**. The tears shed by the Israelites underscore the gravity of their failure to obey God's clear instructions regarding the Canaanites. This compromise would lead to ongoing struggles, a lack of complete peace in the promised land, and a perpetual spiritual snare, as the remaining nations became "thorns in your sides" ([Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Remaining Inhabitants as Thorns") and [Joshua 23:13](/joshua/23-13 "Joshua 23:13 - Consequences of Disobedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _malʼâk Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This significant figure appears frequently in the Old Testament, often speaking with divine authority, as God Himself. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) rather than a generic "angel" suggests a unique, divine messenger, often interpreted by theologians as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany), emphasizing the direct and personal nature of God's communication with His people. This figure is not merely a created being but one who embodies and conveys the very presence and word of God.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This verb means "to speak, to declare, to command." It implies a weighty, authoritative utterance, not just casual conversation. The Angel's words were a divine pronouncement, a direct communication of God's will and judgment, demanding a response from the people.
* **wept (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** This word denotes deep sorrow, lamentation, and mourning, not merely a few tears. It indicates a profound emotional distress and a corporate expression of grief over their spiritual condition and the consequences of their actions. The location, Bochim, meaning "weepers," is named for this very event, underscoring the intensity and significance of their collective lament.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel":** This introductory clause establishes the immediate cause and context for the people's reaction. The Angel of the LORD, acting as God's authoritative messenger, had just delivered a scathing rebuke, detailing Israel's covenant unfaithfulness and the dire consequences. The phrase "all the children of Israel" emphasizes the corporate nature of both the sin and the subsequent emotional response, indicating a collective understanding and shared culpability among the entire community.
* **"that the people lifted up their voice":** This phrase signifies a loud, public, and unified expression of emotion. It was not a quiet, private sorrow but a communal outcry, indicating a profound and widespread distress. "Lifting up their voice" often accompanies lamentation, wailing, or a cry for help in biblical texts, highlighting the intensity of their corporate anguish.
* **"and wept":** This final clause describes the specific emotional outpouring. The Hebrew word implies deep, audible weeping, a lament. This weeping was a visible manifestation of their internal conviction and sorrow, a response to the realization of their sin and the impending judgment. It suggests a moment of genuine, albeit potentially superficial or temporary, contrition and acknowledgment of their spiritual failure.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is aware of Israel's future cycles of apostasy, making this moment of weeping, though seemingly sincere, tragically fleeting. The naming of the place **Bochim** ("weepers") itself is a powerful instance of **Etymological Punning** or **Symbolism**, as the location is permanently marked by the people's lament, serving as a perpetual reminder of their sin and sorrow. This **Toponymy** (place-naming) emphasizes the profound impact of the divine rebuke. Furthermore, the collective action of "lifting up their voice, and wept" functions as a form of **Collective Lament**, a communal ritual expressing shared grief and repentance. This public display underscores the corporate nature of Israel's covenant relationship with God and the collective consequences of their disobedience. The narrative structure itself, moving from divine pronouncement to human emotional response, creates a powerful **Cause and Effect** relationship, highlighting God's active engagement with His people and their immediate, visceral reaction to His truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a crucial theological pivot, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in their rebellion. His direct rebuke through the Angel of the LORD demonstrates His justice and holiness, yet also His faithfulness in warning and calling His people to repentance before judgment is fully executed. The people's weeping, while a sign of immediate conviction, also highlights the human tendency towards superficial or temporary repentance, a pattern that will plague Israel throughout the period of the Judges. The scene at Bochim underscores the profound grief and spiritual distress that results from covenant unfaithfulness, emphasizing that sin is not merely a transgression of rules but a rupture of relationship with a holy God. It sets a precedent for God's continued engagement with His people, even when they stray, always offering a path back to Him through confession and turning from sin.

* [Nehemiah 9:3](/nehemiah/9-3 "Nehemiah 9:3 - Confession and Worship")
* [Psalm 78:34-37](/psalm/78-34-37 "Psalm 78:34-37 - Israel's Fleeting Repentance")
* [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - Call to Genuine Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today, reminding us of the profound impact of our spiritual choices. Just as Israel was confronted with the consequences of their compromise and disobedience, so too are we called to honest self-examination in light of God's Word. The collective weeping at Bochim underscores the gravity of sin and the pain it inflicts upon our relationship with God and within the community of faith. True repentance, while often accompanied by deep emotion, must move beyond mere sorrow to a transformative change of heart and action. This verse challenges us to consider whether our expressions of regret are genuine turning points or merely temporary emotional responses to conviction. It also highlights God's persistent grace, even in rebuke, as He continually calls His people back to faithfulness, desiring their well-being and a right relationship with Him. We are invited to respond to divine truth not just with tears, but with renewed commitment and obedience, recognizing that compromise with the world inevitably leads to spiritual distress and diminished blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's Word convict you of sin today, and what is your immediate response?**
* **Is your sorrow over sin merely an emotion, or does it lead to genuine change and renewed obedience?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be compromising with worldly influences, and what are the spiritual consequences?**
* **How does God's faithfulness, even in His rebukes, encourage you in your walk with Him?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Angel of the LORD in this passage?**

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: *malʼakh Yᵉhôvâh*) is a crucial figure in the Old Testament, often understood by theologians as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, known as a Christophany. This figure speaks with divine authority, often using "I" statements that are clearly God's own words, as seen in [Judges 2:1](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1 - The Angel's Divine Pronouncement"). His appearance at Bochim signifies that God Himself is directly confronting Israel with their covenant unfaithfulness. It underscores the personal and serious nature of God's engagement with His people, demonstrating that their disobedience is not merely a breach of law but a betrayal of their relationship with the living God. The Angel's presence emphasizes the divine origin and gravity of the rebuke, making the people's weeping an appropriate response to a direct encounter with God's truth.

**Why did the people weep, and was it true repentance?**

Answer: The people "lifted up their voice, and wept" as a profound, collective expression of sorrow and lament. This weeping was a visceral response to the Angel of the LORD's rebuke, which laid bare their failure to obey God's commands and the dire consequences of their idolatry and compromise, as outlined in [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1-3 "Judges 2:1-3 - The Angel's Rebuke and Consequences"). It signified an immediate acknowledgment of their sin and the pain it caused, leading them to name the place "Bochim" (weepers). While the tears were genuine in the moment, reflecting deep emotional distress and conviction, the subsequent narrative of Judges suggests that this repentance was often superficial or short-lived. The cycles of apostasy and oppression that follow indicate that their sorrow did not consistently translate into sustained obedience and faithfulness. True biblical repentance involves not just sorrow for sin but a turning away from it and a turning towards God, a change of mind and action that was often lacking in Israel's history during this period.

**How does this event at Bochim relate to the overall message of the book of Judges?**

Answer: The event at Bochim in [Judges 2:4](/judges/2-4 "Judges 2:4 - The Weeping at Bochim") is foundational to understanding the entire book of Judges. It serves as a programmatic introduction to the recurring cycle of sin, judgment, crying out, and deliverance that characterizes the era. The Angel's rebuke highlights Israel's initial and fundamental failure to obey God's command to dispossess the Canaanites and destroy their altars, setting the stage for the spiritual decline that follows. The people's weeping at Bochim represents the *initial* response to divine conviction, a moment of collective sorrow over their unfaithfulness. However, the subsequent narrative reveals that this repentance was often temporary, leading to repeated cycles of apostasy and oppression. Thus, Bochim is not just a geographical location but a symbolic moment, encapsulating the tragic pattern of Israel's spiritual instability and God's persistent, yet often frustrated, efforts to call His people back to Himself throughout the period of the judges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:4, with its depiction of a divine messenger confronting Israel's sin and evoking a response of weeping, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate confrontation with sin and the call to repentance embodied in Jesus Christ. The "Angel of the LORD," often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, directly delivers God's truth, just as Jesus, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), would later come to reveal the Father's will and expose the sin of the world. While Israel's weeping at Bochim was a response to condemnation, it points to the "godly sorrow that produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret" ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow and Repentance")) that Christ offers. Unlike Israel's fleeting repentance, Jesus's sacrifice on the cross provides the means for a complete and lasting cleansing from sin, enabling true and abiding reconciliation with God. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and His call to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" ([Matthew 4:17](/matthew/4-17 "Matthew 4:17 - Jesus' Call to Repentance")) is an invitation to a transformative sorrow that leads to life, not merely a temporary lament over consequences. In Christ, the tears of conviction are met with the promise of forgiveness and the power for genuine, sustained obedience, fulfilling the longing for true restoration that Israel glimpsed but could not fully grasp at Bochim.

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

Ezra 10:1

¶ Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

Luke 7:38

And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment.

1 Samuel 7:6

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured [it] out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

Proverbs 17:10

¶ A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Luke 6:21

Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

Jeremiah 31:9

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim [is] my firstborn.