Judges 3:30

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Judges 3:30 concludes the account of Ehud's judgeship, marking a significant period of peace and freedom for Israel after eighteen years of Moabite oppression. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's deliverance and the tangible results of obedience and repentance.

Context

This verse is the triumphant culmination of a dramatic narrative. Prior to Ehud's rise, Israel had "done evil in the sight of the LORD" (Judges 3:12) and was consequently oppressed by Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years. When the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as a deliverer (Judges 3:15). Ehud ingeniously assassinated King Eglon and then rallied the Israelites to defeat the Moabites at the fords of Jordan, preventing their escape and securing a decisive victory (Judges 3:29). Judges 3:30 summarizes the immediate and lasting impact of this divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse clearly states that "Moab was subdued... under the hand of Israel," yet it is implicitly understood that this victory was orchestrated by God. He raises up deliverers and empowers His people to overcome their oppressors when they turn to Him.
  • The Cycle of Judges: This verse perfectly illustrates the "rest" phase of the cyclical pattern seen throughout the Book of Judges: Israel sins, God sends oppression, Israel cries out, God sends a deliverer, and the land experiences peace. This cycle is foundational to understanding the book's message about Israel's spiritual state (see Judges 2:16-19).
  • Peace and Rest: The phrase "the land had rest fourscore years" highlights a significant period of peace and stability. This "rest" (Hebrew: nuakh or shaqat, meaning quietness, cessation from trouble) was a promised blessing for obedience and a recurring theme in Israel's history, often associated with God's provision and protection (compare Joshua 21:44).
  • Consequences of Repentance: The long period of peace underscores the positive consequences when Israel repented and cried out to God, demonstrating His faithfulness to respond to their pleas.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fourscore years" is an archaic way of saying eighty years. This specific duration emphasizes the completeness and longevity of the peace achieved through Ehud's deliverance. The word "subdued" (Hebrew: ื›ึธึผื ึทืข, kana') means to humble, bring low, or bring into subjection. It signifies a decisive and complete defeat of Moab, ensuring their inability to oppress Israel during this period.

Practical Application

Judges 3:30 reminds us of several timeless truths:

  • God Hears Our Cries: Just as God heard Israel's cry under oppression, He hears the cries of His people today. When we acknowledge our need and turn to Him, He provides deliverance.
  • God Uses Unlikely Instruments: Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin, was an unexpected deliverer. This teaches us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or perceived limitations, to accomplish His purposes.
  • The Value of Spiritual Rest: Periods of peace and spiritual "rest" are precious gifts from God, often following times of repentance and reliance on Him. We are called to cherish and steward these times, not taking God's blessings for granted.
  • Vigilance is Key: While 80 years is a long time, the book of Judges shows that such periods of rest were not eternal. They eventually gave way to new cycles of sin and oppression, highlighting the ongoing need for spiritual vigilance and faithfulness to God's covenant.
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Cross-References

  • Judges 3:11 (4 votes)

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

  • Judges 5:31 (2 votes)

    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.