Judges 3:30

KJV

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Moab {H4124} was subdued {H3665} that day {H3117} under the hand {H3027} of Israel {H3478}. And the land {H776} had rest {H8252} fourscore {H8084} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus was Mo'av subdued that day under the power of Isra'el. Then the land had rest for eighty years.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moab was subdued under the hand of Israel that day, and the land had rest for eighty years.

American Standard Version

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:30 serves as the triumphant conclusion to the narrative of Ehud's judgeship, marking a profound and extended period of peace for Israel following eighteen years of oppressive Moabite rule. This verse powerfully encapsulates God's decisive intervention and the tangible blessings of security and tranquility that resulted from Israel's repentance and His faithfulness to deliver His people. It highlights the complete subjugation of Moab, ensuring a long era of rest for the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic resolution of the Ehud narrative, which begins with Israel's spiritual decline and subsequent oppression by Eglon, King of Moab, for eighteen years ([Judges 3:12-14](/judges/3-12 "Judges 3:12-14 - Israel's Sin and Oppression")). In response to Israel's cry for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as a deliverer ([Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Ehud, the Deliverer")). The preceding verses detail Ehud's ingenious assassination of Eglon, his rallying of the Israelite forces, and the decisive rout of the Moabites at the fords of the Jordan River, where ten thousand Moabite men were slain ([Judges 3:20-29](/judges/3-20 "Judges 3:20-29 - Ehud's Deliverance of Israel")). Judges 3:30, therefore, summarizes the immediate and lasting impact of this divinely orchestrated victory, transitioning the narrative from conflict to a prolonged era of peace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Moabites, descendants of Lot, were perennial adversaries of Israel, often contending for control of the Transjordan region. Their oppression under King Eglon likely involved heavy tribute and a loss of Israelite sovereignty, impacting their economic and spiritual freedom. The strategic importance of the Jordan fords, where Ehud's forces trapped and annihilated the Moabites, underscores the military brilliance and divine favor in this victory. The phrase "fourscore years" (eighty years) is significant; in ancient Near Eastern contexts, eighty years often represented a full human lifespan or two generations, signifying a remarkably long and stable period of peace. This duration would have allowed for significant societal rebuilding and spiritual flourishing, contrasting sharply with the preceding period of servitude.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:30 powerfully illustrates several core themes prevalent throughout the Book of Judges and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, **Divine Deliverance** is paramount; while "Moab was subdued... under the hand of Israel," the preceding narrative makes it clear that this victory was initiated and empowered by God in response to Israel's repentance. Secondly, the verse perfectly embodies the **Deuteronomic Cycle** (also known as the Cycle of Judges) that structures the book: Israel sins, God sends oppression, Israel cries out, God raises a deliverer, and the land experiences peace. This verse represents the "rest" phase, a temporary reprieve before the cycle inevitably repeats ([Judges 2:16-19](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16-19 - The Cycle of Judges")). Thirdly, the theme of **Peace and Rest (Hebrew: _shaqat_ or _nuakh_)** is central. This "rest" is not merely the absence of war but a state of security, prosperity, and divine favor, often associated with covenant faithfulness and God's presence in the land ([Joshua 21:44](/joshua/21-44 "Joshua 21:44 - God Gives Israel Rest")). Finally, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Repentance**, showing God's immediate and generous response to His people's genuine turning back to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Subdued (Hebrew, כָּנַע, _kana'_):** This verb signifies "to humble oneself," "to be brought low," or "to be subjugated." In this context, it denotes a decisive and complete defeat of Moab, indicating that their power was broken, and they were rendered incapable of further oppression against Israel. It implies a thorough and lasting subjugation, not merely a temporary setback for the enemy.
* **Rest (Hebrew, שָׁקַט, _shaqat'_):** Meaning "to be quiet," "to be at peace," or "to be undisturbed." This word conveys a state of tranquility and security, a cessation from the turmoil and oppression that had previously plagued the land. It is a profound blessing, representing a period of stability where Israel could rebuild and live without fear of external enemies.
* **Fourscore years (Hebrew, שְׁמֹנִים שָׁנָה, _shmonim shanah'_):** Literally "eighty years." This specific duration emphasizes the completeness and longevity of the peace achieved through Ehud's deliverance. It represents a significant period, often considered a full human lifespan or two generations, indicating that the peace was not fleeting but enduring, impacting multiple generations of Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Moab was subdued that day":** This clause highlights the immediate and decisive nature of the victory. The subjugation of Moab was not a gradual process but a definitive event, a direct consequence of Ehud's actions and, implicitly, God's empowering hand. It marks the end of Moabite dominance.
* **"under the hand of Israel":** While acknowledging the active participation of the Israelite forces, this phrase also subtly points to the divine enablement. In biblical idiom, "the hand of" often denotes power, authority, or agency. Here, it signifies that Israel was the instrument through which God's judgment and deliverance were executed upon Moab.
* **"And the land had rest fourscore years":** This concluding clause describes the long-term, profound consequence of the victory. The "rest" (Hebrew: _shaqat_) signifies a period of peace, security, and freedom from external threats and internal turmoil. The duration of "eighty years" emphasizes the remarkable and enduring nature of this divinely granted tranquility, a testament to the thoroughness of God's deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:30 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. It serves as a **Culmination** and **Resolution** for the Ehud narrative, bringing the dramatic conflict to a decisive close and establishing a period of peace. The phrase "that day" provides a sense of immediate and definitive action, while "fourscore years" extends the impact into a long-term reality, creating a form of **Merism** or **Totalization** that encompasses both the singular event and its extended consequences. The description of Moab being "subdued" is a form of **Understatement** or **Euphemism**, as it refers to a brutal military conquest and the annihilation of an army, yet presents the outcome in terms of political and social stability. Furthermore, the verse functions as a key element in the **Cyclical Structure** of the Book of Judges, representing the "rest" phase that follows Israel's repentance and God's deliverance, reinforcing the overarching pattern of the book's theological message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:30 powerfully illustrates God's faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating His readiness to deliver them from oppression when they turn to Him in repentance. The "rest" granted to the land is a tangible expression of God's blessing and a foreshadowing of the ultimate peace and security that God desires for His people. This rest is not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of well-being (shalom) that allows for spiritual and societal flourishing. It reminds us that true peace is a gift from God, often contingent on our obedience and reliance upon Him. This temporary rest in the land points to a deeper, more enduring rest that God promises.

* [Joshua 21:44](/joshua/21-44 "Joshua 21:44 - God Gives Israel Rest")
* [Psalm 95:11](/psalm/95-11 "Psalm 95:11 - God's Oath of Rest")
* [Hebrews 4:9](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9 - The Sabbath-Rest for the People of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:30 offers profound encouragement and timeless lessons for believers today. Just as God heard the cries of Israel under Moabite oppression and provided a deliverer, so too does He hear our cries in our own times of personal, spiritual, or communal distress. This passage reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people, and He is able to bring about decisive victories and periods of profound peace even after long seasons of struggle. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and repentance, knowing that our turning to God is often the precursor to His powerful intervention. Furthermore, the long period of "rest" highlights the preciousness of peace and stability, urging us to cherish and steward such seasons, recognizing them as gifts from God. While this rest was temporary in the cycle of Judges, it serves as a reminder that vigilance and continued faithfulness are essential to maintaining God's blessings, and that true, lasting peace is found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the narrative of Ehud and the resulting peace in Judges 3:30 encourage you to trust God for deliverance in your own difficult circumstances?**
* **What does "rest" mean for you personally and communally, beyond the absence of conflict, and how can you actively pursue it in a God-honoring way?**
* **In what areas of your life or community might God be calling you to be an "Ehud"—an instrument of His peace and deliverance—even if you feel unqualified or overlooked?**
* **Given that the "rest" in Judges was temporary, what spiritual disciplines or practices can help us maintain vigilance and faithfulness during seasons of peace and blessing?**

### FAQ
**What does "fourscore years" mean in this verse?**

Answer: "Fourscore years" is an archaic English term meaning eighty years. This specific duration emphasizes the completeness and longevity of the peace achieved through Ehud's deliverance. It signifies a remarkably long and stable period, often considered a full human lifespan or two generations, demonstrating God's thorough and enduring provision of rest for His people.

**Does "subdued under the hand of Israel" mean God wasn't involved?**

Answer: Absolutely not. While the verse states that Moab was subdued "under the hand of Israel," the broader narrative of Judges consistently attributes these victories to God raising up deliverers and empowering His people. Israel was the instrument, but God was the ultimate orchestrator and source of their strength. This is a common biblical idiom where human action is seen as divinely enabled, as seen in passages like [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16 - God Raises Up Judges").

**Was this period of "rest" permanent for Israel?**

Answer: No, the Book of Judges is characterized by a recurring cycle of sin, oppression, crying out to God, deliverance, and then a period of rest, which eventually gives way to renewed sin and oppression. While eighty years was a significant and blessed reprieve, the subsequent chapters of Judges show that Israel eventually strayed again, leading to new cycles of trouble. This highlights the temporary nature of human-led deliverances and the ongoing need for spiritual vigilance and faithfulness to God's covenant, as alluded to in [Judges 2:19](/judges/2-19 "Judges 2:19 - Israel's Continued Disobedience").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 3:30, with its depiction of a divinely granted period of "rest" after a season of oppression, serves as a powerful type and shadow pointing to the ultimate and eternal rest found in Jesus Christ. Ehud, a temporary deliverer, brought a temporary peace, but Christ is the true and final Deliverer who secures everlasting rest for His people. While Ehud subdued a physical enemy, Jesus came to subdue the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the devil. He offers a rest that transcends mere absence of conflict, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find true spiritual peace and renewal in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus Offers Rest")). The eighty years of peace in Judges, though significant, ultimately faded, but the peace Christ gives is not of this world and will never be taken away ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")). Through His atoning sacrifice, we are delivered from the dominion of darkness and brought into His glorious kingdom, experiencing a rest that anticipates the eternal Sabbath-rest promised to the people of God in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness"); [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Entering God's Rest"); [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Pain")).

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 3:11

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Judges 5:31

So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but [let] them that love him [be] as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.