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Judges 3:10

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And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

And the Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} came upon him, and he judged {H8199} Israel {H3478}, and went out {H3318} to war {H4421}: and the LORD {H3068} delivered {H5414} Chushanrishathaim {H3573} king {H4428} of Mesopotamia {H763} into his hand {H3027}; and his hand {H3027} prevailed {H5810} against Chushanrishathaim {H3573}.

The spirit of ADONAI came upon him, and he judged Isra'el. Then he went out to war, and ADONAI gave Kushan-Rish'atayim king of Aram into his hands; his power prevailed against Kushan-Rish'atayim.

The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.

And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Jehovah delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim.

Commentary

Judges 3:10 introduces Othniel, the first judge raised up by God for Israel after their initial period of disobedience following Joshua's death. This verse marks the beginning of divine intervention and deliverance in response to the people's cry for help under foreign oppression.

Context

Following the pattern described earlier in the book of Judges (see Judges 2:11-19), Israel had fallen into idolatry after the generation that knew the LORD died out. As a consequence, God allowed them to be oppressed by King Chushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia for eight years (Judges 3:8). When they cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel, Caleb's nephew, as a deliverer.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment: The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him" signifies God equipping Othniel with the necessary power and authority to lead and deliver Israel. This was not merely human strength but a supernatural enablement for a specific divine purpose.
  • God's Response to Repentance: Despite Israel's repeated backsliding, God is faithful to respond with mercy and deliverance when they cry out to Him in their distress.
  • God Raises Deliverers: This verse highlights God's method of appointing individuals, known as judges, to rescue His people from their enemies and administer justice. Othniel is the first in a line of such figures.
  • Victory Through God's Hand: The verse explicitly states that "the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim... into his hand," emphasizing that the victory was ultimately God's work through Othniel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the Spirit of the LORD came upon him" (וְרוּחַ יְהוָה הָיְתָה עָלָיו, wə·rūaḥ Yahweh hā·yəṯâ ‘ālāw) is significant. It indicates a special, temporary empowering by God's Spirit for a specific task of leadership, prophecy, or military action in the Old Testament context. It is distinct from the indwelling of the Spirit promised under the new covenant.

Reflection

Judges 3:10 serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign and compassionate. He hears the cries of His people and provides the means for their deliverance, often through individuals He empowers specifically for the task. Othniel's success was a direct result of the Spirit of the LORD coming upon him, enabling him to judge Israel and lead them to victory. Just as the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into Othniel's hand, demonstrating that his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim because God was with him. This principle holds true for believers today: God equips those He calls for service, and victory in spiritual battles comes through His strength, not our own.

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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 14:19 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

  • Judges 13:25 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

  • Judges 6:34 (4 votes)

    But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

  • Judges 14:6 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

  • Judges 11:29 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over [unto] the children of Ammon.

  • 1 Samuel 11:6 (4 votes)

    And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: