Judges 3:10

KJV

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} came upon him, and he judged {H8199} Israel {H3478}, and went out {H3318} to war {H4421}: and the LORD {H3068} delivered {H5414} Chushanrishathaim {H3573} king {H4428} of Mesopotamia {H763} into his hand {H3027}; and his hand {H3027} prevailed {H5810} against Chushanrishathaim {H3573}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The spirit of ADONAI came upon him, and he judged Isra'el. Then he went out to war, and ADONAI gave Kushan-Rish'atayim king of Aram into his hands; his power prevailed against Kushan-Rish'atayim.

Berean Standard Bible

The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.

American Standard Version

And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Jehovah delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:10 marks the divine initiation of Israel's deliverance cycle, introducing Othniel, the first judge, as God's chosen instrument. This pivotal verse describes the empowering presence of the Spirit of the LORD upon Othniel, enabling him to assume leadership over Israel, engage in decisive warfare, and achieve a resounding victory over Chushanrishathaim, the oppressive king of Mesopotamia. This supernatural intervention ushers in a period of peace and demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even in their cycles of disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:10 is strategically placed within the book of Judges, immediately following the introduction of the cyclical pattern that defines this historical period. The preceding verses establish Israel's failure to drive out the remaining Canaanites and their subsequent descent into idolatry, "doing evil in the sight of the LORD and serving the Baals" as detailed in [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11-13 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Apostasy and Idolatry"). This spiritual rebellion provokes God's anger, leading Him to allow their enemies to oppress them, specifically Chushanrishathaim, for eight years ([Judges 3:8](/judges/3-8 "Judges 3:8 - Oppression by Chushanrishathaim")). In response to Israel's cry for help ([Judges 3:9](/judges/3-9 "Judges 3:9 - Israel Cries Out to the Lord")), Judges 3:10 presents God's merciful intervention, introducing Othniel as the first of the charismatic deliverers. This verse thus inaugurates the "apostasy-oppression-cry-deliverance-rest" cycle that will repeat throughout the book, setting the precedent for all subsequent judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 14th-11th centuries BC) was a transitional era for Israel, marked by a loose tribal confederacy rather than a centralized monarchy. The absence of a king meant that "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), leading to internal disunity and vulnerability to external threats. Mesopotamia, referred to as Aram-Naharaim (meaning "Aram of the two rivers," referring to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates), was a powerful and culturally advanced civilization. The oppression by a distant Mesopotamian king highlights the severity of Israel's plight and the extent of God's judgment. The term "judge" (Hebrew: _shophet_) in this context refers not merely to a legal arbiter but to a divinely raised charismatic leader, often a military deliverer, who would restore order, administer justice, and lead the people, typically for a limited period.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:10 profoundly illustrates several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Central to this verse is the theme of **Divine Empowerment**, as "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him," signifying that Othniel's ability to lead and deliver was a supernatural enablement from God, not an inherent human capacity. This underscores that God's work is accomplished through His power, not human might. It also highlights **God's Faithfulness and Mercy**, demonstrating His readiness to respond to His people's repentance and cries for help, even after their repeated disobedience, as seen in [Psalm 107:19-20](/psalm/107-19-20 "Psalm 107:19-20 - God Delivers from Distress"). The verse initiates the recurring theme of **God Raising Deliverers**, showcasing His chosen method of intervention through human agents, despite Israel's spiritual failings, a pattern seen throughout the book with figures like Ehud ([Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Ehud's Deliverance")) and Deborah ([Judges 4:4](/judges/4-4 "Judges 4:4 - Deborah's Leadership")). Finally, the explicit statement that "the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim... into his hand" emphasizes the theme of **Victory Through God's Hand**, asserting that ultimate triumph belongs to God, who works through His chosen instruments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** The term "Spirit" (רוּחַ, H7307, _rûwach_) in "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him" is crucial. While _rûwach_ can denote wind, breath, or life force, when associated with "the LORD" (Yahweh), it signifies divine power, energy, and presence. In the Old Testament, this often describes a special, temporary, and empowering anointing for a specific task, such as leadership, prophecy, or military prowess. For Othniel, it was a supernatural impartation of wisdom, courage, and strength, enabling him to fulfill God's purpose of deliverance beyond his natural capabilities.
* **Judged (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ'_):** The verb "judged" (שָׁפַט, H8199, _shâphaṭ_) defines the central role of the "judges" in this book. It extends beyond merely adjudicating legal disputes. In this context, it primarily means to "govern," "rule," "deliver," or "vindicate." When Othniel "judged Israel," he acted as their God-appointed leader, military commander, and spiritual guide, restoring order and righteousness after a period of chaos and oppression. His judging encompassed both leading them in warfare and subsequently governing them in peace.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** The word "hand" (יָד, H3027, _yâd_) appears twice in the latter part of the verse: "the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim... into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim." This term, beyond its literal meaning, is a powerful idiom for power, authority, means, and control. The first instance ("into his hand") signifies that God granted Othniel complete control and victory over the enemy. The second ("his hand prevailed") reiterates Othniel's decisive triumph, emphasizing that the power manifested through him was effective and overwhelming, a direct result of the divine enablement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin of Othniel's authority and capability. It signifies a supernatural anointing, indicating that Othniel's subsequent actions were not merely human endeavors but divinely empowered initiatives. This is the source of his effectiveness.
* **"and he judged Israel,"**: As a direct consequence of the Spirit's empowerment, Othniel assumed his God-appointed role as a "judge." This involved leading the people, administering justice, and guiding them back to covenant fidelity, thereby restoring order and stability within the nation.
* **"and went out to war:"**: This clause details the immediate, practical manifestation of Othniel's judgeship. The oppression by Chushanrishathaim necessitated a military response, and Othniel, emboldened and equipped by the Spirit, took the initiative to confront the oppressor, demonstrating his leadership and courage in action.
* **"and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand;"**: This is the theological core of the victory. It explicitly attributes the success of the military campaign not to Othniel's strategic genius or strength alone, but to the LORD Himself. God "delivered"—literally, "gave" or "handed over"—the formidable enemy king into Othniel's power, unequivocally stating that the triumph was fundamentally God's work through His chosen agent.
* **"and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim."**: This concluding clause confirms the decisive and complete nature of the victory. "His hand prevailed" (literally, "his hand was strong" or "his hand was mighty") against the enemy king, signifying Othniel's overwhelming triumph and the subjugation of the oppressor. This reiterates the success of the mission, directly linking Othniel's empowered action to the divine deliverance and demonstrating the efficacy of God's power working through him.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:10 is rich in literary devices that enhance its theological impact and narrative flow. The most prominent is **Divine Intervention** and **Divine Empowerment**, explicitly stated with phrases like "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him" and "the LORD delivered." This direct attribution of power and victory to God establishes the theological framework for the entire book, emphasizing that human success in Israel's history is contingent upon God's active involvement. **Repetition** is also effectively employed, particularly with the formidable name "Chushanrishathaim." Its repeated mention ("the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim... into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim") serves to underscore the magnitude of the threat and, by contrast, the even greater power of God's victory over such a formidable foe. The repetition of "his hand" further highlights Othniel as the divinely empowered instrument. The verse also functions as a powerful **Foreshadowing** device, setting the foundational pattern for the cyclical narrative of the book of Judges, where subsequent deliverers would also be raised up and empowered by God's Spirit to rescue Israel from oppression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:10 is a foundational text for understanding God's active and compassionate involvement in the affairs of His people, even amidst their spiritual failures and cycles of disobedience. It powerfully illustrates that true leadership and effective deliverance for God's purposes are not dependent on human strength or inherent abilities but on the supernatural enablement of His Spirit. This verse sets the stage for the entire book of Judges, demonstrating God's consistent pattern of responding to Israel's genuine cries of repentance with mercy and raising up charismatic leaders to restore order, justice, and freedom. It underscores the themes of God's sovereignty over nations, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His compassionate response to the distress of His people, even when their distress is a consequence of their own sin. The victory is ultimately God's, achieved through His chosen instruments.

* [1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - Saul Empowered by the Spirit")
* [Psalm 107:19-20](/psalm/107-19-20 "Psalm 107:19-20 - God Delivers from Distress")
* [Exodus 3:7-10](/exodus/3-7-10 "Exodus 3:7-10 - Moses Called as Deliverer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:10 offers profound and enduring insights for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder that our effectiveness in God's service and our ability to overcome life's challenges are not primarily dependent on our inherent talents, wisdom, or strength, but rather on the empowering presence of the Spirit of the LORD. Just as Othniel was supernaturally equipped for the daunting task of delivering a nation from oppression, so too does God equip those He calls for His work in the world, whether in spiritual warfare, leadership, or daily discipleship. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit, recognizing our limitations and seeking His wisdom, courage, and strength in every endeavor. Furthermore, it serves as a comforting testament to God's unwavering faithfulness; even when we falter, stray, or find ourselves in difficult circumstances due to our own choices, His ear remains open to our cries of repentance. He remains committed to delivering us from oppression, whether it be spiritual bondage, emotional distress, or challenging life circumstances. Our victories, like Othniel's, are ultimately God's victories, achieved through His power working in and through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life or ministry do you most sense a need for the empowering presence of the Spirit of the LORD, akin to Othniel's experience?**
* **How does Othniel's reliance on God's Spirit challenge your own tendencies to rely on personal strength, intellect, or resources when facing difficulties or pursuing God's call?**
* **Considering God's consistent faithfulness to deliver Israel despite their repeated failures, how does this truth encourage you in your own struggles with sin, doubt, or feelings of inadequacy?**

### FAQ
**What does "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him" mean in the Old Testament context, and how is it different from the New Testament understanding?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, the phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came upon" an individual typically signifies a temporary, special endowment of divine power for a specific task or office. This empowerment was for a particular divine purpose, granting the person extraordinary abilities for a limited time, such as leadership, prophecy, or military prowess. Examples include Othniel here, Samson for strength ([Judges 14:6](/judges/14-6 "Judges 14:6 - Samson Empowered by the Spirit")), and Saul for leadership ([1 Samuel 10:6](/1_samuel/10-6 "1 Samuel 10:6 - Saul Empowered by the Spirit")). This was distinct from a permanent, indwelling presence. In the New Testament, particularly after the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is described as permanently indwelling all believers ([Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Acts 2:38 - Gift of the Holy Spirit"), [Romans 8:9](/romans/8-8 "Romans 8:9 - Spirit of God Dwells in Believers")), providing ongoing guidance, spiritual transformation, and empowerment for daily living, witness, and ministry, not just for specific, temporary tasks. This indwelling is a hallmark of the New Covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Othniel, as the first judge empowered by the Spirit to deliver Israel from a foreign oppressor, serves as a significant type foreshadowing the ultimate Judge and Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as the "Spirit of the LORD came upon" Othniel to equip him for his mission, so too did the Spirit descend upon Jesus at His baptism ([Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "Matthew 3:16 - Jesus' Baptism")), anointing Him not merely for a temporary deliverance but for His eternal ministry of salvation. While Othniel delivered Israel from a temporal enemy, Chushanrishathaim, Jesus came to deliver humanity from the infinitely greater enemies of sin, death, and the power of the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Delivers from Death and the Devil")). Othniel "judged Israel" by restoring order and justice for a period, but Christ is the righteous King and ultimate Judge, to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges Through the Son")), establishing an everlasting kingdom of justice and peace. The victory Othniel achieved brought a temporary respite for Israel; Christ's decisive victory on the cross and His glorious resurrection secured eternal deliverance and established His kingdom, bringing lasting peace and triumph over all spiritual foes ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, Othniel's divinely empowered leadership and temporary deliverance point forward to the perfect, permanent, and everlasting reign of the Messiah, who truly takes away the sin of the world and brings ultimate salvation and reconciliation with God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of 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

Judges 14:19

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

Judges 13:25

And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Judges 6:34

But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

Judges 14:6

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Judges 11:29

¶ Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over [unto] the children of Ammon.

1 Samuel 11:6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

2 Chronicles 15:1

¶ And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: