Judges 6:9

KJV

And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;

KJV (with Strong's)

And I delivered {H5337} you out of the hand {H3027} of the Egyptians {H4714}, and out of the hand {H3027} of all that oppressed {H3905} you, and drave them out {H1644} from before {H6440} you, and gave {H5414} you their land {H776};

Complete Jewish Bible

I delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all your oppressors. I drove them out ahead of you and gave you their land.

Berean Standard Bible

I delivered you out of the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors. I drove them out before you and gave you their land.

American Standard Version

and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:9 presents a powerful divine indictment delivered by an unnamed prophet to the Israelites, serving as a poignant reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and mighty acts of deliverance throughout their history. This verse specifically recalls God's miraculous rescue from Egyptian bondage, His powerful expulsion of their various oppressors, and His gracious bestowal of the Promised Land. It starkly contrasts God's consistent provision and protection with Israel's current state of oppression under the Midianites, a direct consequence of their idolatry and forgetfulness, thereby setting the theological stage for Gideon's subsequent call to leadership and deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:9 is embedded within a crucial prophetic message delivered by an unnamed prophet (Judges 6:7-10), immediately preceding the appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Gideon (Judges 6:11ff). This divine address functions as a theological preface to Gideon's call, providing the foundational explanation for Israel's suffering and God's impending intervention. It serves as a divine lament and a reminder of Israel's covenant obligations, highlighting their repeated failure to remember God's past faithfulness. The prophet's words underscore the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, crying out, and deliverance that defines the book of Judges, emphasizing that Israel's current plight is a direct result of their disobedience and idolatry after God had so powerfully established them in the land. This prophetic interlude provides the necessary theological framework for understanding God's subsequent actions through Gideon, demonstrating that God's deliverance is a response to their cry, but also a call to repentance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in the book of Judges, Israel has been under severe oppression from the Midianites and their Amalekite and "people of the East" allies for seven years ([Judges 6:1](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1 - Israel Oppressed by Midian")). This oppression was characterized by devastating raids that destroyed crops and livestock, leaving Israel impoverished and forcing them to hide in caves and strongholds ([Judges 6:2-6](/judges/6-2-6 "Judges 6:2-6 - Midianite Raids and Israel's Distress")). The Midianites were nomadic desert tribes, known for their camel-riding warriors, whose hit-and-run tactics were highly effective against Israel's settled agricultural society. The historical backdrop is the turbulent period after the initial conquest of Canaan, where Israel lacked central leadership and often succumbed to the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite peoples, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah. Judges 6:9 directly references two foundational historical events for Israel: the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing") (a defining moment of national identity and divine rescue) and the subsequent [conquest of Canaan](/joshua/11 "Joshua 11 - Conquest of Northern Canaan") (the fulfillment of God's covenant promise of land, as seen in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abraham") and [Deuteronomy 6:10-11](/deuteronomy/6-10-11 "Deuteronomy 6:10-11 - God's Provision in the Land")).
* **Key Themes:** Judges 6:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even when His people are profoundly unfaithful. He consistently acts as their deliverer and provider, fulfilling His word despite their rebellion. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Sovereign Power and Mighty Acts**, particularly His ability to deliver from overwhelming oppression ("delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians," "drave them out") and to establish His people in their inheritance ("gave you their land"). These acts serve as a testament to His unique power among the nations and His control over history. Thirdly, it underscores the importance of **Historical Remembrance**; the prophet's recounting of past deliverances is not merely a history lesson but a foundational argument for God's character and His continued ability and willingness to act. It's a call for Israel to remember their identity as a people redeemed by God, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remember the Lord Your God")). Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of [Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1-6 "Judges 6:1-6 - Israel's Oppression by Midian") implies the severe **Consequences of Disobedience and Forgetfulness**, as Israel's current oppression is a direct result of their failure to remember God's past acts and their turning away to idolatry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This primitive root (H5337) signifies to snatch away, rescue, or set free, often implying a forceful and decisive act of liberation from danger or oppression. In this context, it highlights God's active, powerful, and personal intervention on behalf of His people, emphasizing that their salvation from Egypt and other foes was not by their own might but by His sovereign hand.
* **Drave them out (Hebrew, _gârash'_):** This strong verb (H1644) means to expel, dispossess, or drive out, often with force. It describes God's active and sovereign role in clearing the land of its previous inhabitants (the Canaanites) to make way for Israel. This act fulfilled His promise to Abraham, underscoring God's power over nations and His commitment to His covenant.
* **Gave you (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This common verb (H5414) means "to give," but in this context, it carries the profound weight of divine bestowal, a gracious gift of inheritance. It emphasizes that the land was not earned by Israel's military prowess but was a direct, unmerited provision from God, fulfilling His ancient covenant promises to their forefathers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians,"**: This opening clause immediately points to the foundational event of the Exodus, the defining moment of Israel's national identity. The emphatic "I delivered" underscores God's personal and direct agency in rescuing Israel from the powerful grip and oppressive slavery of Pharaoh and Egypt. This act established the precedent for God's future interventions and His character as the great Deliverer.
* **"and out of the hand of all that oppressed you,"**: This expands the scope beyond Egypt, encompassing the numerous enemies and oppressors Israel faced throughout their wilderness wanderings and initial settlement in Canaan. It speaks to a consistent pattern of divine protection and rescue from various threats, reinforcing God's role as their perpetual deliverer from any force that sought to crush or distress them.
* **"and drave them out from before you,"**: This refers to God's active and decisive role in the conquest of Canaan. He did not merely grant Israel permission to enter the land but actively dispossessed its powerful inhabitants, clearing the way for Israel to settle securely. This highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His promise to establish His people in their inheritance.
* **"and gave you their land;"**: This final clause summarizes the culmination of God's redemptive and provident work: the bestowal of the Promised Land. It underscores that the land was a divine gift, an unearned inheritance, rather than a conquest achieved solely by Israel's own strength. This act fulfilled the ancient covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, establishing Israel as a sovereign nation in their own territory.

#### Literary Devices
The prophet's message in Judges 6:9 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anaphora** is prominently evident in the repeated structure "And I delivered... and out of... and drave... and gave," which emphasizes God's consistent, active, and singular role in Israel's history of salvation. This repetition creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, reinforcing the divine agency and the comprehensive nature of God's past interventions. The verse also functions as a form of **Recapitulation**, succinctly summarizing pivotal moments of Israel's past (Exodus, wilderness deliverances, conquest of Canaan) to remind them of God's faithfulness. This serves as a stark **Contrast** between God's past mighty actions on their behalf and Israel's present suffering, implicitly highlighting their current unfaithfulness and the consequences of their spiritual amnesia. Furthermore, the entire prophetic speech, including this verse, acts as a **Rhetorical Indictment**, implicitly asking Israel, "Given all I have done for you, why have you abandoned me and forgotten my deeds?" This sets the stage for God's subsequent intervention through Gideon, demonstrating His continued grace despite their rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 6:9 is a potent reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and His unchanging character as the great Deliverer. It underscores the biblical truth that God remembers His promises, even when His people forget their obligations. The prophet's words serve to re-establish God's historical track record of powerful intervention, which is crucial for a people who have fallen into despair and idolatry. This verse connects to the broader narrative of salvation history, where God consistently acts to rescue His people from oppression and establish them in His promised blessings. It highlights that true security and prosperity come not from human strength or alliances, but from faithful obedience to the God who delivers and provides. The indictment embedded in the prophet's message is that Israel's current plight is not due to God's inability or forgetfulness, but to their own spiritual amnesia and idolatry, a pattern that tragically repeats throughout the book of Judges.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remember the Lord Your God")
* [Psalm 78:10-11](/psalm/78-10-11 "Psalm 78:10-11 - Forgetting God's Works")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith and God's Character")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 6:9 offers profound lessons for believers today. When we face overwhelming challenges, spiritual oppression, or feel lost in despair, this verse calls us to remember God's immutable character and His powerful track record. Just as God reminded Israel of His past mighty acts to stir hope and repentance, we are encouraged to recall His faithfulness in our own lives and throughout biblical history. Remembering how God has delivered before, how He has provided, and how He has fulfilled His promises provides a strong foundation for trusting Him in our current circumstances. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts: have we, like ancient Israel, forgotten God's goodness and turned to "idols" (whether material possessions, worldly success, self-reliance, or even spiritual apathy) for security and fulfillment? It's a call to spiritual remembrance, to actively recall and meditate on God's past mercies, allowing them to fuel our faith, repentance, and renewed obedience in the present. God's power to deliver from spiritual oppression, the bondage of sin, and the despair of life's trials is as true today as it was for ancient Israel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egypts" or "oppressors" has God delivered you from in your past, and how does remembering those deliverances strengthen your faith today?**
* **In what ways might we, like ancient Israel, forget God's past faithfulness and turn to other sources for security or fulfillment?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's unchanging character (His power to deliver and His commitment to His promises) impact your perspective on current difficulties?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a stronger habit of remembering and celebrating God's past acts of deliverance and provision in your life?**

### FAQ

**Why does God send an unnamed prophet to Israel before calling Gideon?**

Answer: God sends an unnamed prophet before calling Gideon to establish the theological context for Israel's suffering and God's subsequent intervention. This prophetic message serves several crucial purposes. First, it clearly articulates Israel's sin of idolatry and their abandonment of the Lord, demonstrating that their oppression is a direct consequence of their disobedience, not God's neglect or inability. Second, it highlights God's initiative and faithfulness; even in their unfaithfulness, God takes the first step to address their plight, reminding them of His past acts of deliverance ([Judges 6:9](/judges/6-9 "Judges 6:9 - God's Deliverance of Israel")) and His covenant promises. Third, it prepares the people, and specifically Gideon, for the coming deliverance by providing a divine perspective on their situation, emphasizing that their hope lies solely in the Lord, not in their own strength or military prowess. This sets the stage for a deliverer who will act by God's power, not his own, as vividly seen in Gideon's story in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory").

**What is the significance of God "giving" Israel "their land" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "and gave you their land" is profoundly significant as it underscores the fulfillment of God's ancient covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abraham")). The land of Canaan was God's gracious gift to Israel, a place of rest and inheritance, flowing with milk and honey ([Deuteronomy 6:10-11](/deuteronomy/6-10-11 "Deuteronomy 6:10-11 - God's Provision in the Land")). By reminding Israel that He "gave" them the land, the prophet emphasizes that their possession was not earned by their might but was a divine bestowal. This highlights God's sovereignty, His faithfulness to His word, and His role as the ultimate provider. The fact that they were now suffering *in* the land God had given them, having forsaken their covenant obligations and turned to foreign gods, served as a powerful indictment, reminding them of the conditional nature of their blessing and the severe consequences of their spiritual amnesia and idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 6:9, with its emphasis on God's powerful deliverance from oppression and the bestowal of an inheritance, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "hand of the Egyptians" and "all that oppressed you" foreshadow the far greater spiritual bondage from which humanity needs deliverance: the oppression of sin, death, and the devil. Christ is the ultimate Deliverer, the one whom God sent to "snatch us away" from the dominion of darkness and transfer us to the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus "drave out" the spiritual enemies that held humanity captive, triumphing over principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")) and destroying the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Devil")). Furthermore, just as God "gave" Israel their physical land, Christ, through His finished work, gives believers a spiritual inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope, An Incorruptible Inheritance")). The faithfulness of God demonstrated in Judges 6:9, in keeping His promises to Israel, culminates in His ultimate faithfulness in sending His Son to fulfill all promises and provide eternal salvation and an eternal inheritance for all who believe, for "all the promises of God find their Yes in him" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in 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

Psalms 44:2

[How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

Psalms 44:3

For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.