Judges 3:12

KJV

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did {H6213} evil {H7451} again {H3254} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}: and the LORD {H3068} strengthened {H2388} Eglon {H5700} the king {H4428} of Moab {H4124} against Israel {H3478}, because they had done {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the people of Isra'el again did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, so ADONAI strengthened 'Eglon the king of Mo'av against Isra'el, because they had done what was evil from ADONAI's perspective.

Berean Standard Bible

Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

American Standard Version

And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and Jehovah strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:12 marks a pivotal moment in the Book of Judges, re-initiating the cyclical pattern of Israel's apostasy and divine judgment. Following a period of peace under Othniel, the Israelites once again abandoned their covenant with the LORD, engaging in idolatry and moral corruption. As a direct consequence of their disobedience, God sovereignly raised up Eglon, the king of Moab, empowering him to oppress Israel. This verse underscores the LORD's active involvement in the nation's history, using external forces as a disciplinary measure to call His people back to faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:12 immediately follows a period of forty years of peace and rest for Israel, secured by the deliverance under Othniel, the first judge, as recounted in [Judges 3:11](/judges/3-11 "Judges 3:11 - Peace under Othniel"). This verse initiates the second major cycle of sin, oppression, and eventual deliverance within the book. The phrase "did evil again in the sight of the LORD" serves as a recurring literary motif throughout Judges, signaling the beginning of a new period of national apostasy and setting the stage for the subsequent divine judgment and the raising of a new deliverer, Ehud. It demonstrates Israel's short memory and persistent tendency to stray from their covenant obligations, despite experiencing God's deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Moabites were a Transjordanian people, descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:37), and often adversaries of Israel. Their territory lay east of the Dead Sea, making them a perennial threat to Israel's eastern borders. Eglon, described as "king of Moab," likely consolidated power among various Transjordanian groups, possibly including Ammonites and Amalekites, as seen in [Judges 3:13](/judges/3-13 "Judges 3:13 - Eglon's Allies"). This period in Israel's history, following the initial conquest and before the monarchy, was characterized by a lack of centralized leadership and frequent external threats, often exacerbated by Israel's internal spiritual decline. The "sight of the LORD" refers to God's divine perspective and judgment, emphasizing that their actions were a direct affront to His holiness and covenant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes of the Book of Judges. Foremost is the **Cycle of Sin and Deliverance**, which is explicitly articulated in [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-19 - The Cycle of Judges"). Judges 3:12 marks the transition from the "peace" phase to the "sin" and "oppression" phases of this cycle, initiated by Israel's repeated "doing evil." Another critical theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**. The declaration that "the LORD strengthened Eglon" highlights God's active, sovereign hand in history, even using pagan kings and hostile nations as instruments of His righteous judgment and discipline against His own disobedient people. This demonstrates that God is not a passive observer but actively orchestrates events to uphold His covenant and bring about His purposes, including correction, as outlined in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, showing that Israel's suffering under Moabite rule was a direct and inevitable result of their spiritual infidelity and covenant breaking.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _ra'_):** This term (רַע) is used repeatedly in the Book of Judges to describe Israel's moral and spiritual depravity. It encompasses not only idolatry and the worship of foreign gods but also ethical transgressions and a general departure from the LORD's commands. The repetition of "did evil again" underscores the persistent, deliberate, and cyclical nature of Israel's sin, indicating a deep-seated spiritual problem rather than an isolated lapse. It signifies a breaking of the covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **Strengthened (Hebrew, _chazaq'_):** The verb (חָזַק) means "to be strong, firm, courageous." Here, in the Hiphil stem, it means "to make strong, to empower, to harden." The text explicitly states that "the LORD strengthened Eglon," indicating God's direct, active agency in empowering the Moabite king. This is not merely God permitting Eglon to rise, but actively enabling him to become a formidable oppressor of Israel. This divine action serves as a punitive measure, demonstrating God's sovereign control over nations and His willingness to use them to discipline His covenant people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD:"** This clause immediately signals the renewal of Israel's apostasy after a period of peace. The phrase "did evil in the sight of the LORD" is a theological assessment, highlighting that their actions were not merely societal transgressions but a direct offense against God's holiness and covenant. The word "again" (Hebrew: `va'yosifu`, "they added to do") emphasizes the repetitive and persistent nature of their sin, indicating a failure to learn from past experiences and a deep-seated spiritual rebellion against their covenant God.
* **"and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel,"** This clause reveals God's direct and sovereign response to Israel's sin. It is not Eglon's inherent power or geopolitical ambition that leads to the oppression, but the LORD's active empowerment of him. God uses Eglon as an instrument of His judgment, demonstrating His control over the nations and His commitment to disciplining His people for their disobedience. This divine strengthening makes Eglon a formidable adversary, ensuring the effectiveness of the disciplinary action.
* **"because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD."** This final clause provides the explicit theological justification for God's action. It reiterates the cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's sin and their subsequent oppression. The repetition of "done evil in the sight of the LORD" from the first clause emphasizes the direct correlation, leaving no doubt that the oppression is a direct, righteous consequence of their covenant infidelity. This highlights God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:12 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "did evil in the sight of the LORD" appearing twice, emphasizing Israel's persistent sinfulness and the direct cause-and-effect relationship with God's judgment. This repetition reinforces the cyclical nature of the narrative in Judges. The verse also serves as a prime example of **Thematic Juxtaposition**, contrasting Israel's repeated rebellion with God's consistent, sovereign response. There is a clear **Cause and Effect** structure, where Israel's "evil" is explicitly stated as the reason for the LORD's action to "strengthen Eglon." Furthermore, the narrative employs **Divine Agency**, portraying God not as a passive observer but as an active participant in history, directly intervening by empowering an enemy king to discipline His people, underscoring His ultimate **Sovereignty** over nations and human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:12 is a foundational text for understanding the theological framework of the Book of Judges and broader biblical themes of divine discipline and covenant faithfulness. It powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. The LORD's active role in strengthening Eglon demonstrates His sovereignty over all nations and His willingness to use even hostile forces as instruments of His righteous judgment to call His people back to Himself. This verse underscores that true peace and prosperity for Israel were contingent upon their faithfulness to Yahweh, and that repeated apostasy inevitably led to suffering and oppression. It sets a pattern for understanding God's interaction with His people throughout salvation history, where His discipline is ultimately redemptive, aimed at restoration.

* [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "God Raises Up Judges"): This verse introduces the pattern of God raising up judges to deliver Israel, a pattern initiated by Israel's sin, as seen in Judges 3:12.
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Curses for Disobedience"): This passage outlines the curses that would befall Israel if they disobeyed the LORD, directly paralleling the oppression by Eglon as a consequence of their "doing evil."
* [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves"): This New Testament verse provides a theological lens through which to view God's discipline in Judges, explaining that the LORD chastens those He loves, aiming for their sanctification and spiritual growth.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:12 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the enduring consequences of spiritual complacency and persistent disobedience. For believers today, it highlights that our choices have significant spiritual repercussions, not only for ourselves but potentially for our communities. The recurring cycle of sin and oppression in Judges is a mirror reflecting the human tendency to stray from God, even after experiencing His grace and deliverance. This verse calls us to a vigilant self-examination, prompting us to identify areas where we might be "doing evil in the sight of the LORD" through idolatry (anything that takes God's rightful place), disobedience, or spiritual apathy. It compels us to understand that God's discipline, while painful, is an act of His perfect love, designed to draw us back into deeper communion with Him and to conform us to the image of Christ. Our response to His discipline, whether through external pressures or internal conviction, should be one of humble repentance and renewed commitment to His ways, trusting that He desires our ultimate good and spiritual flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "doing evil again" in the sight of the LORD, perhaps repeating past mistakes or neglecting known commands?**
* **How do I typically respond to God's discipline, whether it comes through difficult circumstances or internal conviction? Do I see it as punitive or redemptive?**
* **What false gods or idols (e.g., comfort, success, approval, self-reliance) might be subtly strengthening their hold on my heart, diverting my allegiance from the LORD?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's conviction, breaking the cycle of repeated sin in my own life and fostering consistent faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why did God "strengthen" Eglon against Israel, rather than just allowing it to happen?**

Answer: The text explicitly states that "the LORD strengthened Eglon" to emphasize God's active and sovereign role in Israel's history. This was not merely a passive allowance of events but a deliberate divine act of judgment and discipline. God, in His absolute sovereignty, uses nations and circumstances, even hostile ones, as instruments to achieve His purposes. In this case, His purpose was to bring Israel to repentance for their repeated "evil in the sight of the LORD." This demonstrates that God is not distant or uninvolved but intimately engaged in the affairs of His people, upholding His covenant by both blessing obedience and disciplining disobedience, as promised in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). It underscores that no power, human or otherwise, operates outside of His ultimate control.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 3:12, with its stark portrayal of Israel's cyclical sin and God's disciplinary judgment through an oppressor, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The recurring pattern of Israel "doing evil" and facing the consequences highlights humanity's inherent inability to maintain covenant faithfulness and break free from the bondage of sin. The temporary deliverers (judges) could only offer fleeting periods of peace, never addressing the root problem of the human heart's rebellion. Jesus, however, is the definitive and eternal deliverer, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice on the cross broke the cycle of sin and its accompanying judgment once and for all. Unlike the judges who merely rescued Israel from external oppressors, Christ delivers us from the ultimate oppressor, Satan, and from the power and penalty of sin itself, as declared in [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness"). Through Him, we are offered not just temporary relief but lasting peace and reconciliation with God, entering into a new covenant where God's law is written on our hearts, enabling true and sustained faithfulness (Jeremiah 31:33, [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")). He is the King who establishes an eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace, making the cyclical failures of Judges a poignant backdrop against which His perfect and final salvation shines brightly, fulfilling the need for a truly righteous and permanent deliverer (Isaiah 9:6-7, [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of 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.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 12:9

And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

Judges 2:19

And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, [that] they returned, and corrupted [themselves] more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

Isaiah 10:15

Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? [or] shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake [itself] against them that lift it up, [or] as if the staff should lift up [itself, as if it were] no wood.

Hosea 6:4

¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

John 19:11

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Daniel 4:22

It [is] thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

Ezekiel 38:16

And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.