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Judges 3:1

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¶ Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, [even] as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

Now these are the nations {H1471} which the LORD {H3068} left {H3240}, to prove {H5254} Israel {H3478} by them, even as many of Israel as had not known {H3045} all the wars {H4421} of Canaan {H3667};

These are the nations which ADONAI allowed to remain, in order to put to the test all the people of Isra'el who had not known any of the wars with Kena'an.

These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,

Now these are the nations which Jehovah left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

Commentary

Judges 3:1 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, explaining the divine reason for the continued presence of hostile nations within the land of Canaan during the period of the Judges. It highlights God's sovereign purpose behind circumstances that might otherwise seem like Israel's failure.

Context

Following the death of Joshua, Israel entered a new phase. While God had commanded them to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land (Numbers 33:55; Deuteronomy 7:2), they failed to do so. This verse clarifies that the remaining nations were not merely a result of Israel's weakness, but also part of God's deliberate plan. The Lord "left" them for specific purposes, primarily to test the faithfulness of the new generation of Israelites, who had not experienced the initial, formative wars of the conquest under Joshua.

Key Themes

  • Divine Purpose in Adversity: God's ultimate intention was not to punish them outright but to refine and strengthen their faith. The presence of these nations served as a perpetual test of Israel's loyalty to the covenant made at Sinai, specifically their adherence to worshipping Him alone and not intermarrying or adopting the pagan practices of their neighbors.
  • Obedience and Disobedience: The verse implicitly underscores Israel's partial obedience in not fully dispossessing the land. This failure became the context for God's testing, demonstrating that incomplete obedience often leads to ongoing challenges and temptations.
  • Generational Learning: A key reason for leaving these nations was "as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan." This younger generation needed to learn both spiritual discipline and practical warfare. They would face real-world challenges that would either draw them closer to God or lead them astray, mirroring the experiences of their ancestors who had been tested in the wilderness (e.g., Deuteronomy 8:2).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "to prove" is nasah (נָסָה), which signifies to test, try, or tempt. In this context, it is a test designed to reveal the true state of Israel's heart and to develop their spiritual maturity and reliance on God, rather than a malicious attempt to make them fall. It's a proving ground for their faithfulness and their ability to live according to God's commands in the midst of temptation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Judges 3:1 offers powerful insights. Just as God used the remaining nations to test Israel, He often allows "leftover" challenges or persistent temptations in our lives. These are not necessarily signs of His abandonment but opportunities for spiritual growth and to learn spiritual warfare. This verse reminds us of:

  • The importance of complete obedience to God's word, as partial obedience can leave open doors for future struggles.
  • God's sovereign hand, even in difficult circumstances, working all things for our good and His glory.
  • The need for each generation to personally encounter and commit to God, rather than relying solely on the faith of their predecessors.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 2:21 (6 votes)

    I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:

  • Judges 2:22 (6 votes)

    That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep [it], or not.

  • Proverbs 17:3 (4 votes)

    ¶ The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

  • Deuteronomy 7:22 (4 votes)

    And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

  • Job 23:10 (2 votes)

    But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

  • Judges 2:10 (2 votes)

    And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 8:2 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.