Judges 10:8

And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that [were] on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which [is] in Gilead.

And that year {H8141} they vexed {H7492} and oppressed {H7533} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}: eighteen {H8083}{H6240} years {H8141}, all the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} that were on the other side {H5676} Jordan {H3383} in the land {H776} of the Amorites {H567}, which is in Gilead {H1568}.

For eighteen years, starting that year, they oppressed and persecuted all the people of Isra'el who lived beyond the Yarden, in the territory of the Emorim, in Gil'ad.

who that very year harassed and oppressed the Israelites, and did so for eighteen years to all the Israelites on the other side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites.

And they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel that year: eighteen years oppressed they all the children of Israel that were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

Commentary

Judges 10:8 vividly describes a period of intense suffering for the Israelites, specifically those dwelling east of the Jordan River. This verse marks a significant escalation in the consequences of Israel's recurring apostasy, detailing the severity and duration of their affliction.

Context

This verse is situated within the cyclical narrative of the Book of Judges, which consistently portrays Israel's pattern of sin, divine judgment (often through foreign oppression), cries for help, and subsequent deliverance by a judge. Prior to this, Israel had enjoyed a period of relative peace under the judgeships of Tola and Jair (Judges 10:1-5). However, Israel's persistent idolatry and worship of Baal, Ashtaroth, and other pagan gods provoked the Lord's anger, leading Him to sell them into the hands of their enemies. While Judges 10:7 mentions both the Philistines and the Ammonites, verse 8 specifically focuses on the Ammonite oppression in the eastern territories.

The geographical detail, "on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead," is crucial. Gilead was a fertile region east of the Jordan River, settled by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:33). The mention of the "land of the Amorites" refers to the prior inhabitants whom Israel had dispossessed. This location highlights the vulnerability of these Transjordanian tribes to the Ammonites, who were their immediate neighbors to the east.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The eighteen years of oppression directly resulted from Israel's abandonment of God and pursuit of false gods. This serves as a stark reminder that spiritual unfaithfulness often leads to tangible hardship.
  • Divine Discipline: God's allowing this suffering was not arbitrary but a form of discipline, intended to bring His people to repentance and back into a right relationship with Him. This echoes the broader theme seen in Judges 2:15, where God hands them over to their enemies.
  • Severity of Oppression: The terms "vexed and oppressed" indicate a sustained period of severe affliction, likely involving economic exploitation, forced labor, and loss of liberty.
  • Geographical Vulnerability: The specific mention of Gilead underscores how different parts of Israel faced distinct threats based on their location and neighboring enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "vexed and oppressed" translate two significant Hebrew verbs. "Vexed" comes from lachats (ืœึธื—ึทืฅ), meaning "to press," "to squeeze," or "to oppress," implying intense, persistent pressure and distress. "Oppressed" comes from anah (ืขึธื ึธื”), which means "to afflict," "to humble," "to bring low," or "to cause to suffer." Together, these words convey a comprehensive and severe subjugation, both physically and emotionally, highlighting the crushing burden placed upon the Israelites.

Practical Application

Judges 10:8 serves as a timeless warning about the consequences of spiritual drifting and disobedience. It reminds us that:

  • Choices Have Consequences: Our actions, especially our faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God, have real-world implications, sometimes leading to periods of hardship or distress.
  • God's Discipline is for Our Good: While painful, periods of difficulty can be God's way of calling us back to Himself, prompting repentance and a renewed commitment to His ways.
  • The Importance of Faithfulness: The narrative encourages a steadfast walk with God, emphasizing that true peace and security are found in obedience to Him, not in seeking satisfaction from worldly idols or pursuits.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (2 votes)

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

  • Isaiah 30:13 (2 votes)

    Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

  • Judges 10:5 (1 votes)

    And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.