Judges 3:3

KJV

[Namely], five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.

KJV (with Strong's)

Namely, five {H2568} lords {H5633} of the Philistines {H6430}, and all the Canaanites {H3669}, and the Sidonians {H6722}, and the Hivites {H2340} that dwelt {H3427} in mount {H2022} Lebanon {H3844}, from mount {H2022} Baalhermon {H1179} unto the entering in {H935} of Hamath {H2574}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These nations consisted of the five chiefs of the P'lishtim, all the Kena'ani, the Tzidoni, and the Hivi who lived in the hills of the L'vanon between Mount Ba'al-Hermon and the entrance to Hamat.

Berean Standard Bible

the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.

American Standard Version

namely, the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entrance of Hamath.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:3 precisely identifies the specific nations God intentionally left in the land of Canaan after Israel's incomplete conquest: the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites dwelling in Mount Lebanon from Baalhermon to Hamath. These remaining peoples served as a divine test for Israel's faithfulness to the covenant and a practical means to teach subsequent generations, who had not experienced the initial battles, how to wage war and rely on the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:3 is part of an introductory section (Judges 3:1-6) that explains the presence of unconquered nations in the land, following the comprehensive theological summary of Israel's cyclical disobedience in Judges 2. This verse particularizes the general statement of Judges 3:1, listing the specific groups that would serve as a test for Israel. It sets the stage for the subsequent narratives of the judges, each of whom delivers Israel from oppression by one of these very nations or their allies, demonstrating the ongoing consequences of Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to dispossess the land's inhabitants. The verse thus provides the necessary backdrop for understanding the recurring conflicts throughout the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of the Judges, Israel had failed to fully execute the divine command to drive out the indigenous populations of Canaan (as seen in [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")). The groups listed in Judges 3:3 represent formidable adversaries. The "five lords of the Philistines" refer to the powerful confederacy of city-states (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath) along the southwestern coast, a distinct "Sea Peoples" group known for their advanced military technology (iron) and political organization. The "Canaanites" is a broader term for the various Semitic peoples indigenous to the land, known for their polytheistic Baal and Asherah worship. The "Sidonians" were a major Phoenician maritime power to the north, influential in trade and culture. The "Hivites" in Mount Lebanon, spanning from Mount Baalhermon to Hamath, delineate the vast unconquered northern territories, emphasizing the extensive challenge Israel faced from diverse, well-established peoples.
* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several critical themes foundational to the book of Judges and beyond. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of incomplete obedience**; Israel's failure to fully dispossess the land, as commanded in [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Remaining Inhabitants as Thorns"), directly resulted in these nations remaining as "thorns in your sides." Secondly, it reveals God's **sovereignty and redemptive purpose even in human failure**. Though Israel sinned, God repurposed their failure to serve as a **divine test** of their loyalty and a means to **teach future generations** how to wage war and depend on Him ([Judges 3:4](/judges/3-4 "Judges 3:4 - Purpose of the Remaining Nations")). This demonstrates that God can use adversity, even self-inflicted, to refine and instruct His people. Finally, the persistent presence of these nations foreshadows the **ongoing spiritual warfare** Israel would face, not just militarily but also culturally and religiously, constantly tempting them towards idolatry and syncretism.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lords (Hebrew, _seranim'_):** This term is unique to the Philistine rulers, distinguishing their political structure from the kings or chiefs of other Canaanite groups. It signifies their distinct and formidable confederate power, often translated as "tyrants" or "princes," emphasizing their authority and the threat they posed to Israel.
* **Canaanites (Hebrew, _kna'ani'_):** While sometimes referring to a specific subgroup, here it functions as a broader, overarching term encompassing the various indigenous peoples of the land whom Israel was commanded to dispossess. They represent the pervasive idolatry and pagan practices that constantly threatened Israel's covenant fidelity.
* **Baalhermon (Hebrew, _ba'al chermon'_):** This geographical marker, meaning "lord of Hermon," points to a peak in the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, indicating the northern extent of the unconquered territories. Its name, incorporating "Baal," subtly hints at the idolatrous worship prevalent in these regions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Namely], five lords of the Philistines":** This clause immediately identifies a specific and powerful confederacy along the southwestern coast, known for their military prowess and distinct political organization. Their presence represents a significant and recurring threat to Israel's security and territorial integrity.
* **"and all the Canaanites":** This broad designation encompasses the general indigenous population of the land, signifying the pervasive presence of polytheistic worship and cultural practices that constantly lured Israel away from exclusive devotion to Yahweh. Their continued presence ensured ongoing spiritual and cultural conflict.
* **"and the Sidonians":** This specifies a major Phoenician city-state to the north, renowned for its maritime trade and strong cultural influence. Their inclusion highlights the unconquered coastal regions and the persistent threat of their idolatrous practices, particularly Baal worship, which would later deeply affect Israel.
* **"and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath":** This detailed geographical description pinpoints a specific Canaanite group in the vast northern mountainous regions. The span from Mount Baalhermon to the strategic pass of Hamath emphasizes the extensive northern territories that remained outside Israel's control, indicating the scale of the incomplete conquest and the formidable nature of these remaining inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Enumeration** is prominent, as it precisely lists the distinct ethnic groups and their leaders, giving a clear and comprehensive picture of the adversaries. This detailed listing enhances the sense of the pervasive threat. **Geographical Specificity** is also crucial, with the mention of "mount Lebanon," "mount Baalhermon," and "the entering in of Hamath." These precise locations not only ground the narrative in a real-world setting but also underscore the vastness and strategic importance of the unconquered territories, emphasizing the magnitude of Israel's failure. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the subsequent narratives of conflict and deliverance that characterize the book of Judges, where these very groups become the instruments of Israel's oppression. Finally, these nations can be seen as **symbolism**, representing the persistent spiritual and moral challenges that would plague Israel due to their incomplete obedience, serving as a constant reminder of the consequences of compromise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:3 profoundly illustrates the principle that incomplete obedience often leads to ongoing challenges and consequences. While God's command to utterly dispossess the land was clear, Israel's failure to do so resulted in these nations remaining as a persistent source of temptation and conflict. Yet, in His divine sovereignty, God repurposed this human failure, using these very adversaries as a means to test Israel's loyalty and to train a new generation in warfare and dependence on Him. This reveals a theological paradox: God's judgment can also be a crucible for refinement, transforming a consequence of sin into an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewed commitment. The presence of these "unconquered" elements serves as a constant reminder of the need for wholehearted devotion and the dangers of compromise in faith.

* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")
* [Joshua 23:13](/joshua/23-13 "Joshua 23:13 - Consequences of Remaining Nations")
* [1 Corinthians 10:13](/1_corinthians/10-13 "1 Corinthians 10:13 - God's Faithfulness in Temptation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:3 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, prompting us to examine the "unconquered territories" in our own lives—those areas where we have failed to fully obey God's commands, perhaps out of fear, compromise, or spiritual laziness. Just as Israel's incomplete obedience led to persistent adversaries, our unaddressed sins or areas of spiritual neglect can become ongoing sources of temptation, struggle, and spiritual stagnation. This verse calls us to a deeper level of self-examination and repentance, urging us to identify and confront those lingering "enemies" within our hearts and habits. Yet, it also offers a profound encouragement: even in our failures, God remains sovereign. He can use these very struggles, these "tests," to refine our faith, teach us spiritual warfare, and draw us into a more profound reliance on His strength rather than our own. Our response to these challenges reveals the true depth of our commitment and the authenticity of our walk with the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unconquered territories" or lingering areas of disobedience might exist in my own life or spiritual walk?**
* **How can I identify and address these areas with greater intentionality, seeking God's power for complete obedience?**
* **In what ways might God be using current challenges or "adversaries" in my life to test my faith, teach me spiritual disciplines, or draw me closer to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did God leave these nations if He commanded Israel to drive them out?**

Answer: God's command for Israel to utterly dispossess the land's inhabitants was clear and absolute (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Destroy")). However, Israel's failure to fully obey this command, as detailed in Judges 1 and 2, led to these nations remaining. Judges 3:1-4 then explains God's sovereign repurposing of this human failure. He left these nations for two primary reasons: first, to test Israel's faithfulness and obedience to Him; and second, to teach the generations who had not experienced the initial conquest how to wage war and depend on the Lord for victory. Thus, their presence was both a consequence of Israel's sin and a divinely ordained crucible for their spiritual development and reliance on God.

**What is the significance of the "five lords of the Philistines" specifically being mentioned?**

Answer: The "five lords of the Philistines" refers to the rulers of the Philistine pentapolis: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. These were powerful, independent city-states located along the southwestern coast of Canaan. Their distinct political structure, indicated by the unique title "seranim" (lords), and their advanced military technology (particularly their mastery of iron) made them a formidable and recurring adversary for Israel. Their inclusion here highlights their prominence as a continuous and significant threat, foreshadowing the numerous conflicts Israel would have with them throughout the period of the Judges and into the monarchy, most notably seen in the story of [David and Goliath](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lingering "unconquered nations" in Judges 3:3, a direct result of Israel's incomplete obedience, powerfully foreshadow the spiritual battles believers face in a fallen world. While Israel failed to fully dispossess the land, Jesus Christ, the true Israel, achieved perfect obedience and ultimate victory. He did not leave any "unconquered territories" in His mission. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ decisively triumphed over all spiritual adversaries—the world, the flesh, and the devil. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers") declares that He "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him." Our ongoing spiritual warfare, as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare"), is fought from a position of Christ's victory, not our own strength or incomplete obedience. He is the one who saves His people from their sins ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Saves His People")), enabling us to enter a rest that Israel could not fully attain ([Hebrews 4:1](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1 - Entering God's Rest")). Thus, the challenges represented by these ancient nations find their ultimate resolution and conquest in the person and work of Jesus, who empowers His followers to overcome what they could not in their own strength.

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 13:3

From Sihor, which [is] before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, [which] is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

Joshua 13:5

And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

Joshua 19:28

And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, [even] unto great Zidon;

Judges 10:7

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

Joshua 11:3

[And to] the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and [to] the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

Judges 4:2

And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host [was] Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

Deuteronomy 3:9

([Which] Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)