Judges 2:5

KJV

And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they called {H7121} the name {H8034} of that place {H4725} Bochim {H1066}: and they sacrificed {H2076} there unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they called the name of that place Bokhim [crying] and sacrificed there to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

So they called that place Bochim and offered sacrifices there to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 2:5 records a pivotal and somber moment in Israel's early history in the Promised Land, immediately following a divine rebuke. This verse details the Israelites' collective, emotional response to the consequences of their disobedience, marked by their naming of the location "Bochim" (meaning "weepers") due to their profound lamentation, and their subsequent act of offering sacrifices to the LORD in an apparent attempt at reconciliation or atonement. It encapsulates a fleeting moment of sorrow and religious observance in the face of their spiritual failure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 2:5 concludes a short but crucial narrative unit (Judges 2:1-5) that sets the stage for the entire Book of Judges. The preceding verses describe the appearance of the [Angel of the LORD](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1 - The Angel of the LORD's Rebuke") at a place later identified as Bochim. This divine messenger confronts the Israelites, reminding them of God's covenant promises to bring them into the land and His command to destroy its inhabitants. He then pronounces judgment because they had failed to obey His voice, specifically by making covenants with the Canaanites and not tearing down their altars. As a result, the remaining nations would become "thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you" ([Judges 2:3](/judges/2-3 "Judges 2:3 - Consequences of Disobedience")). The immediate reaction of the people to this pronouncement is recorded in [Judges 2:4](/judges/2-4 "Judges 2:4 - Israel's Weeping"), where they "lifted up their voice and wept." Verse 5 then describes the formal naming of the place and their subsequent sacrificial act, serving as a climactic point of emotional and religious response before the narrative shifts to the death of Joshua's generation and the rise of a new generation that "did not know the LORD" ([Judges 2:10](/judges/2-10 "Judges 2:10 - A Generation That Did Not Know the LORD")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges 2:5 occur during the transitional period immediately following the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. While Joshua had led a successful military campaign, the Book of Judges opens by revealing Israel's incomplete obedience in fully dispossessing the Canaanite inhabitants, as commanded by God ([Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquest")). This failure was not merely military but deeply spiritual, involving a compromise with the pagan cultures and religions of the land. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a covenant was a binding agreement, often sealed with sacrifices and curses for disobedience. God's covenant with Israel at Sinai ([Exodus 24](/exodus/24 "Exodus 24 - The Covenant at Sinai")) stipulated exclusive worship of Him and the eradication of idolatry. The act of "sacrificing there unto the LORD" was a standard form of worship and atonement in Israelite religion, typically involving burnt offerings or peace offerings to seek divine favor or express devotion. This practice was deeply embedded in their cultural and religious framework, representing an attempt to restore or maintain a right relationship with God.

* **Key Themes:** The central themes highlighted in Judges 2:5 and its immediate context are multifaceted. Firstly, **Covenant Disobedience and its Consequences** is paramount. The weeping at Bochim is a direct emotional response to the painful repercussions of Israel's failure to uphold their covenant obligations, specifically their compromise with the Canaanites and their gods. This directly foreshadows the recurring cycles of oppression and deliverance that define the rest of the book, as seen in the pattern established in [Judges 3:7-11](/judges/3-7 "Judges 3:7-11 - The First Cycle of Sin and Deliverance"). Secondly, **Sorrow and Lamentation** is evident in the naming of the place "Bochim," underscoring the deep grief and emotional distress experienced by the Israelites. This sorrow, however, raises questions about its depth and whether it led to genuine **Repentance and Transformation**. While the sacrifice indicates an attempt at reconciliation or atonement, the subsequent narrative of Judges suggests that this sorrow and worship often lacked the lasting commitment to obedience required for true spiritual renewal, highlighting the difference between emotional remorse and true turning away from sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bochim (Hebrew, בֹּכִים, _Bokhim'_):** This proper noun, given to the place, is derived from the Hebrew verb _bakah_ (בָּכָה), meaning "to weep" or "to lament." The plural form, _Bokhim_, literally means "weepers" or "place of weepings." Its etymology powerfully captures the overwhelming emotional state of the Israelites upon hearing the divine rebuke. It serves as a perpetual memorial to their profound grief and lamentation over the consequences of their spiritual failure, marking a place of national sorrow.
* **Sacrificed (Hebrew, זָבַח, _zavach'_):** This verb means "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice," specifically in a religious context. It refers to the act of offering an animal sacrifice, typically a burnt offering (_olah_) or a peace offering (_shelem_), as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. Such sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, serving various purposes including atonement for sin, expressing devotion, seeking forgiveness, or making vows. The act here suggests an immediate, formal religious response to the divine judgment, an attempt to appease God or renew their covenant commitment.
* **LORD (Hebrew, יְהוָה, _YHWH'_):** This is the sacred, personal name of God, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. Its use here emphasizes that the Israelites' actions, both their disobedience and their subsequent sacrifice, were directly related to their relationship with _YHWH_, the God who had delivered them from Egypt and brought them into the land. Their sacrifice was not offered to a generic deity but specifically to the God with whom they had a covenant, highlighting the brokenness of that covenant relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they called the name of that place Bochim:"** This clause explains the origin of the place name, directly linking it to the immediate and collective emotional outpouring of the Israelites. The act of naming a place after a significant event was common in ancient Israelite culture, serving as a perpetual reminder of what transpired there. In this instance, "Bochim" permanently memorializes the profound grief, lamentation, and national sorrow that gripped the people when confronted with the painful consequences of their disobedience to God's covenant. It signifies a moment of collective realization and remorse.
* **"and they sacrificed there unto the LORD."** This second clause describes the Israelites' immediate religious response to their sorrow and the divine rebuke. The act of offering sacrifices to _YHWH_ indicates an attempt to seek God's favor, express remorse, make atonement for their transgressions, or perhaps renew their commitment to the covenant. While appearing as an act of piety and recognition of God's authority, the subsequent narrative of Judges reveals that this act, though outwardly religious, often lacked the lasting transformation and genuine repentance that would lead to sustained obedience. It was a formal ritual, but its spiritual depth and long-term impact on their behavior remained questionable.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 2:5 employs several potent literary devices. **Etymology** is central, as the verse explicitly states the origin of the place name "Bochim" from the people's weeping. This etymological explanation serves to underscore the profound emotional impact of the divine rebuke and to permanently memorialize the site as a place of national lament. The naming itself functions as **Symbolism**, with "Bochim" becoming a symbol not only of sorrow but also of the tragic consequences of Israel's spiritual compromise. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** and **Foreshadowing** in the act of sacrifice. While seemingly an act of piety and an attempt at reconciliation, the subsequent narrative of Judges reveals that this sacrifice did not lead to sustained obedience or true repentance. This ironic contrast between their outward religious act and their continued spiritual decline foreshadows the recurring cycles of sin, judgment, and temporary deliverance that characterize the entire book, suggesting the inadequacy of ritual without genuine heart transformation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 2:5 is a profound theological statement on the nature of sin, judgment, and repentance. The weeping at Bochim represents a moment of acute awareness of sin's consequences, a sorrow born from the pain of divine judgment rather than necessarily a deep, godly grief that leads to true repentance. While the act of sacrifice indicates a desire to appease God or re-establish communion, the subsequent history of Israel in Judges reveals that this emotional outpouring and ritualistic act did not translate into sustained obedience or a decisive turning away from idolatry. This highlights a crucial theological distinction between worldly sorrow, which leads to regret and often further sin, and godly sorrow, which leads to repentance and salvation ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow")). The passage underscores that true reconciliation with God requires more than emotional lament or ritual; it demands a transformed heart and a commitment to obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalms/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 2:5 offers a powerful and sobering lesson for believers today, serving as a mirror to examine the nature of our own repentance and obedience. The Israelites' weeping at Bochim, while seemingly genuine, ultimately proved to be a superficial sorrow that did not lead to lasting transformation. They grieved the consequences of their sin (the continued presence of hostile nations) but seemingly not the sin itself (their disobedience and idolatry). This challenges us to differentiate between mere regret over negative outcomes and true, godly sorrow that leads to a decisive turning away from sin and a renewed commitment to God's will. Our tears and religious acts are meaningful only when they flow from a heart truly broken over sin and desirous of genuine alignment with God's commands. We are called not just to lament our failures but to actively pursue a life of obedience, recognizing that compromise with worldly values or spiritual apathy will inevitably lead to painful consequences and hinder God's full blessing in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the difference between sorrow over consequences and true repentance over sin itself?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be compromising with "worldly influences" rather than fully obeying God's commands?**
* **How can I ensure that my acts of worship and expressions of remorse lead to lasting transformation rather than being merely emotional or ritualistic?**
* **What "thorns in my side" or "snares" might be present in my life due to past or present disobedience?**

### FAQ

**Why was the place named Bochim?**

Answer: The place was named Bochim, which means "weepers" or "place of weeping," because the Israelites collectively "lifted up their voice and wept" there ([Judges 2:4](/judges/2-4 "Judges 2:4 - Israel's Weeping")) upon hearing the severe divine rebuke from the [Angel of the LORD](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1 - The Angel of the LORD's Appearance"). Their weeping was a direct emotional response to understanding the painful consequences of their disobedience to God's covenant commands, specifically their failure to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants and their compromise with pagan worship.

**What was the significance of the Israelites sacrificing to the LORD at Bochim?**

Answer: The act of sacrificing "unto the LORD" at Bochim was a formal religious response within the Israelite covenant framework. It likely involved offerings intended to seek God's forgiveness, express remorse, or renew their commitment to Him. In ancient Israelite culture, sacrifices were a primary means of approaching God and making atonement. While it indicates a recognition of God's authority and a desire for reconciliation, the subsequent narrative of the Book of Judges suggests that this act of sacrifice, though outwardly pious, often lacked the deep, transformative repentance that would lead to sustained obedience and a true turning away from idolatry. It was a ritualistic attempt to address their broken relationship with God, but one that proved insufficient to prevent their continued spiritual decline.

**Did the weeping and sacrifice at Bochim lead to lasting change in Israel?**

Answer: Unfortunately, no. While the weeping was profound and the sacrifice a formal act of worship, the subsequent history of Israel, as recounted in the rest of the Book of Judges, reveals that this moment of sorrow and religious observance did not lead to lasting spiritual transformation or sustained obedience. The Israelites repeatedly fell into cycles of sin, idolatry, oppression, and temporary deliverance, demonstrating that their sorrow at Bochim was often more about the painful consequences of their sin rather than a deep, heart-level repentance that would lead to a decisive turning away from their unfaithfulness. The narrative highlights the inadequacy of emotional lament or ritual without genuine, sustained commitment to God's commands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 2:5, with its depiction of a people weeping over the consequences of their sin and offering sacrifices, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The animal sacrifices offered at Bochim, like all sacrifices under the Old Covenant, were temporary and imperfect, unable to truly cleanse the conscience or bring about lasting transformation ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Animal Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins")). They merely pointed forward to the once-for-all sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who would truly take away the sin of the world. The Israelites' sorrow at Bochim, though real, was a worldly grief over consequences. In Christ, we find the pathway to godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance and salvation, a sorrow that is transformed into joy through the forgiveness offered by His atoning death ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leads to Repentance")). Furthermore, while the Israelites struggled with ongoing disobedience, the New Covenant established in Christ's blood provides not only forgiveness but also the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live in genuine obedience and to turn from sin, making true transformation possible ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Bochim's tears find their ultimate answer not in repeated sacrifices, but in the finished work of Christ, who enables a true and lasting reconciliation with God.

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 7:26

And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

Judges 6:24

Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it [is] yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Genesis 35:8

But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.

Judges 13:19

So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered [it] upon a rock unto the LORD: and [the angel] did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.

1 Samuel 7:9

And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.