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Judges 3:8

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¶ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

Therefore the anger {H639} of the LORD {H3068} was hot {H2734} against Israel {H3478}, and he sold {H4376} them into the hand {H3027} of Chushanrishathaim {H3573} king {H4428} of Mesopotamia {H763}: and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} served {H5647} Chushanrishathaim {H3573} eight {H8083} years {H8141}.

Therefore the anger of ADONAI blazed against Isra'el, and he gave them over into the hands of Kushan-Rish'atayim king of Aram-Naharayim; and the people of Isra'el served Kushan-Rish'atayim eight years.

Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.

Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.

Commentary

Judges 3:8 initiates the recurring pattern of Israel's disobedience and God's disciplinary judgment, a central theme throughout the book of Judges.

Context

This verse immediately follows a period where the children of Israel "did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim" (Judges 3:7), forsaking the God who had delivered them from Egypt and given them the land. Their idolatry and spiritual apostasy provoked divine displeasure, leading to the consequences described here. This marks the first of several cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that define the period of the Judges.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Discipline: The phrase "the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel" signifies God's righteous indignation towards their unfaithfulness. His act of "selling them into the hand" of an oppressor was not an arbitrary punishment, but a direct consequence designed to bring them back to Him. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to His covenant with Israel, even through severe discipline.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Israel's rebellion against God led directly to their servitude. This highlights a foundational biblical principle: sin has consequences, often resulting in hardship and loss of freedom. The eight years of oppression under Chushanrishathaim served as a harsh lesson.
  • The Cycle of Judges: This verse establishes the first instance of the "Judges cycle" described in Judges 2:11-19: Israel sins, God sends an oppressor, Israel cries out, God raises a deliverer (judge).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "the anger of the LORD was hot" (חָרָה אַף יְהוָה, charah aph Yahweh) conveys a strong, burning displeasure, indicative of God's holy nature being offended by their sin. The term "sold them" (וַיִּמְכְּרֵם, vayimkerem) does not imply a literal commercial transaction, but rather God's sovereign act of delivering or handing them over to their enemies as a consequence of their actions. Chushanrishathaim (כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם), king of Mesopotamia (אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם, Aram Naharaim, "Aram of the two rivers"), is often interpreted to mean "Cush of double wickedness," emphasizing the severity and foreign nature of this initial oppressor.

Practical Application

Judges 3:8 serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual rebellion carries significant consequences. For believers today, it underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. While we are under grace, not law, the principle remains that straying from God's path can lead to spiritual distress or difficulties. It also illustrates God's persistent love, as His discipline is ultimately aimed at drawing His people back into right relationship with Him, preparing the way for a future deliverer, much like Othniel, the first judge.

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 2:14 (6 votes)

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • Habakkuk 3:7 (3 votes)

    I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: [and] the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

  • Judges 4:9 (3 votes)

    And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

  • Romans 7:14 (2 votes)

    ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

  • Deuteronomy 29:20 (2 votes)

    The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

  • Isaiah 50:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

  • Deuteronomy 32:30 (2 votes)

    How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?