Judges 6:8

That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

That the LORD {H3068} sent {H7971} a prophet {H376}{H5030} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, which said {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, I brought you up {H5927} from Egypt {H4714}, and brought you forth {H3318} out of the house {H1004} of bondage {H5650};

ADONAI sent a prophet to the people of Isra'el, who said to them: "ADONAI the God of Isra'el says, 'I brought you up from Egypt, out of a life of slavery.

He sent them a prophet, who told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

that Jehovah sent a prophet unto the children of Israel: and he said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

Commentary

Judges 6:8 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's oppression by the Midianites. After seven years of severe hardship, the Israelites finally cried out to the Lord, acknowledging their desperate situation.

Context

Following a pattern seen throughout the Book of Judges, Israel's disobedience led to foreign oppression (Judges 2:11-19). The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other "children of the east," had devastated their land and resources, forcing the Israelites to seek refuge in dens and caves. This verse describes God's immediate and compassionate response to their plea. Instead of sending a deliverer like Gideon immediately, God first sends a prophet to remind them of His past faithfulness and their present unfaithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Remembrance: Even in their backslidden state, God does not abandon His covenant people. He hears their cry (Exodus 2:23-25) and responds by sending a messenger.
  • Historical Recounting: The prophet's message begins with a powerful reminder of God's mighty acts in the past, specifically the Exodus from Egypt. This historical reference serves as a foundation for understanding God's character and His ongoing relationship with Israel.
  • The Nature of Prophetic Ministry: Before physical deliverance, there is often a spiritual and mental deliverance through God's word. The prophet's role here is to bring clarity, conviction, and a call to remember God's identity and their covenant obligations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "house of bondage" (Hebrew: בֵּית עֲבָדִים, beit avadim) is a potent and recurring term in the Old Testament, prominently featured in the preface to the Ten Commandments. It vividly describes the severe slavery the Israelites endured in Egypt, making God's act of deliverance all the more significant and His claim on them undeniable. The prophet uses this phrase to underscore the magnitude of God's past salvation and contrast it with their current state of oppression, which was a consequence of their forgetting Him.

Practical Application

Judges 6:8 serves as a timeless reminder that when we face difficulties, God often first calls us to remember His past faithfulness and our relationship with Him. Before providing a solution to our external problems, He may seek to address our spiritual condition. This verse encourages us to:

  • Remember God's Deliverance: Reflect on times God has brought you through difficult situations.
  • Acknowledge Our Part: Consider if our current struggles are, in part, a result of drifting from God's ways.
  • Listen to God's Word: Be open to the prophetic word (the Bible) that reminds us of God's character, His commands, and His promises.
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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

  • Ezekiel 20:5 (6 votes)

    ¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I [am] the LORD your God;

  • Ezekiel 20:32 (6 votes)

    And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

  • Isaiah 63:9 (5 votes)

    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

  • Isaiah 63:14 (5 votes)

    As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

  • Psalms 136:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

  • Psalms 136:16 (5 votes)

    To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Judges 2:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.