1
וַיַּ֧עַל מַלְאַךְ יְהוָ֛ה מִן הַגִּלְגָּ֖ל אֶל הַבֹּכִ֑ים וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אַעֲלֶ֨ה אֶתְכֶ֜ם מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם וָאָבִ֤יא אֶתְכֶם֙ אֶל הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי֙ לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וָאֹמַ֕ר לֹֽא אָפֵ֧ר בְּרִיתִ֛י אִתְּכֶ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם
Then the angel of YHWH went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, 'I brought you up out of Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to your fathers, and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.'
The chapter opens with a fresh wayyiqtol not tied to the tribal notices of ch. 1; it introduces a theophanic messenger scene functioning as prologue and verdict over the conquest narrative just given. The messenger's first-person divine speech, begun here, runs through v. 3, reciting the exodus and the sworn land-gift before turning to indictment.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיַּ֧עַלand he went upwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (opens the scene)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the messenger's ascent inaugurates the episodeעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the messenger's movement from Gilgal to Bochim frames the scene as a journey from the camp of covenant renewal to the place of covenant indictment.
מַלְאַךְthe messenger/angel ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject (construct chain with יְהוָה)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה here speaks in YHWH's own first person (vv. 1-3), the same fusion of messenger and sender found in the patriarchal theophanies.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, sender)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the messenger's identity is fused with YHWH's own voice in the indictment that follows.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source of motion)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the geographical starting point of the ascent.
הַגִּלְגָּ֖לGilgalart + proper noun · גִּלְגָּל (H1537)Object of preposition מִן (place name)גִּלְגָּל (H1537) 'Gilgal', the stone circle east of Jericho, Israel's first camp in the land and site of covenant renewal (Josh 4-5); the departure point casts what follows as sent from the place of remembered obedience.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal of motion)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the ascent.
הַבֹּכִ֑יםBochimart + proper noun · בֹּכִים (H1066)Object of preposition אֶל (place name)בֹּכִים (H1066) 'weepers'; the narrator names the site proleptically, before the etiology of v. 5 explains the name from the people's weeping — the outcome is already decided.
וַיֹּאמֶר֩and he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introduces direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introducing the divine indictment speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens the extended first-person divine speech that runs through v. 3.
אַעֲלֶ֨הI brought you upHiphil impf 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (direct quotation, recital of the exodus)→ Yiqtol used with past/recital reference: the customary retrospective idiom recalling YHWH's decisive act, not a futureעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up, cause to ascend'; the same root as the messenger's own ascent in v. 1 — his going up textually echoes the exodus 'bringing up' he now recites.
אֶתְכֶ֜ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of אַעֲלֶה)אֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, marking 'you' (Israel) as the direct object of the bringing-up.
מִמִּצְרַ֗יִםfrom Egyptprep מִ + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase (source)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the exodus is the founding datum of YHWH's covenant claim on Israel.
וָאָבִ֤יאand I broughtwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (recital, second stage)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the completed act of bringing Israel into the landבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; the entry into the land, paired with the exodus as the twin acts grounding YHWH's covenant claim.
אֶתְכֶם֙[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וָאָבִיא)אֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, again marking Israel as direct object.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the destination clause.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶל, head of the relative clauseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the land of promise, further defined by the sworn-oath relative clause that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces attributive clause modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle 'who, which, that'; links the land to the sworn promise to the fathers.
נִשְׁבַּ֨עְתִּי֙I sworeNiphal perf 1cs · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive oath, the ground of the land-gift's certaintyשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear'; the covenant oath to the patriarchs (Gen 15, 22, 26, 28) underlying the land-gift now under threat of forfeiture by Israel's disobedience.
לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr/2mp suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object (recipient of the oath)אָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom the oath was originally sworn.
וָאֹמַ֕רand I saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introduces the covenant pledge)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — recites YHWH's own prior pledgeאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's quoted self-pledge, לֹא־אָפֵר בְּרִיתִי.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אָפֵרלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative; here negating a Hiphil imperfect used for emphatic self-binding pledge — 'I will never break.'
אָפֵ֧רI will breakHiphil impf 1cs · פָּרַר (H6565)Predicate verb (quoted divine pledge)→ Yiqtol: modal/volitional negated imperfect — an emphatic self-binding pledge, 'I will never break'פָּרַר (H6565) Hiphil 'to break, annul, frustrate', used of voiding a covenant; YHWH's self-pledge never to break covenant sets up the shocking reversal of his own resolve in v. 3 (I will NOT drive them out).
בְּרִיתִ֛יmy covenantN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of אָפֵרבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; YHWH's own covenant with Israel, pledged unbreakable here yet placed under strain by the nation's conduct described in v. 2.
אִתְּכֶ֖םwith youprep + 2mp suffix · אֵת/אֶת (H854)Prepositional phrase (covenant partner)אֵת (H854) 'with'; names Israel as the covenant partner bound by YHWH's oath.
לְעוֹלָֽםforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal/durative)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, forever'; underscores the permanence YHWH pledges to the covenant — a permanence about to be tested.
2
וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹֽא תִכְרְת֤וּ בְרִית֙ לְיֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם תִּתֹּצ֑וּן וְלֹֽא שְׁמַעְתֶּ֥ם בְּקֹלִ֖י מַה זֹּ֥את עֲשִׂיתֶֽם
But you have not cut a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars. Yet you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?
The fronted independent pronoun אַתֶּם pivots sharply from YHWH's first-person recital (v. 1) to a second-person indictment. The verse compresses command (do not treat with the nations; tear down their altars) and accusation (you have not obeyed) into one unit, closing with the rhetorical question that deliberately echoes YHWH's question to Eve in Gen 3:13.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאַתֶּ֗םbut youconj וְ + independent pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (fronted, contrastive with the divine 'I' of v. 1)אַתֶּם (H859) 2mp independent pronoun; fronted for contrast — after YHWH's pledge, the indictment turns emphatically to 'but you.'
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִכְרְתוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative, negating the prohibition against covenant-making with the land's inhabitants.
תִכְרְת֤וּyou shall cutQal impf 2mp · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — negated imperfect functioning as command, 'you must not cut'כָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiomatically כָּרַת בְּרִית 'to cut a covenant' (from the covenant rite of cutting animals, cf. Gen 15); the prohibited treaty-making with the Canaanites echoes Exod 23:32; 34:12.
בְרִית֙a covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of תִכְרְתוּבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the forbidden treaty with the Canaanites stands in ironic contrast to YHWH's own unbreakable covenant just recited in v. 1.
לְיֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙with the inhabitants ofprep לְ + Qal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, object of preposition לְ (partner of תִכְרְתוּ)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — those continually dwelling in, i.e. the resident populationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the substantival participle 'those dwelling' names the Canaanite population as the forbidden covenant partner.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive (construct chain with לְיוֹשְׁבֵי)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land now occupied by Canaanite peoples.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (f.); specifies 'this land' as the land just entered under the sworn promise.
מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶ֖םtheir altarsN m pl constr/3mp suffix · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object, fronted before its verb for emphasisמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זָבַח 'to sacrifice'; the Canaanite cult installations Israel is commanded to demolish (cf. Exod 34:13; Deut 7:5).
תִּתֹּצ֑וּןyou shall tear downQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · נָתַץ (H5422)Predicate verb (command, main clause; object מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶם fronted)→ Yiqtol: modal/imperatival — a solemn command reinforced by the paragogic nun, 'you shall tear down'נָתַץ (H5422) 'to tear down, demolish'; the paragogic nun lends emphatic, solemn weight — total destruction of the cult objects, not negotiated coexistence.
וְלֹֽאyet notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שְׁמַעְתֶּם; adversative coordinationוְ + לֹא; the coordination pivots from command to accusation — 'but you have not obeyed.'
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֥םyou have obeyedQal perf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (accusation, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of fact — disobedience as an accomplished reality, not a mere lapseשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; idiomatic שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל 'to obey the voice of'; Israel's failure to obey is the hinge accusation of the whole speech.
בְּקֹלִ֖יmy voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr/1cs suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of preposition (idiom שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל, 'obey')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; with שָׁמַע בְּ, the standard idiom for covenantal obedience to YHWH's spoken command.
מַהwhatinterrogative particle · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (predicate of the rhetorical question)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; opens the rhetorical indictment מַה־זֹּאת עֲשִׂיתֶם, echoing YHWH's question to the first transgressors in Gen 3:13 — the nation now stands where Eve once stood.
זֹּ֥אתthisdemonstr pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject/complement of the interrogative clauseזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; refers back to the whole pattern of covenant-breaking just described.
עֲשִׂיתֶֽםhave you doneQal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (rhetorical question, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act under indictment — 'what have you done'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the question מַה־זֹּאת עֲשִׂיתֶם ('what is this you have done?') deliberately echoes Gen 3:13, casting Israel's infidelity as a reenactment of the primal transgression.
3
וְגַ֣ם אָמַ֔רְתִּי לֹֽא אֲגָרֵ֥שׁ אוֹתָ֖ם מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֤וּ לָכֶם֙ לְצִדִּ֔ים וֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ
So now I also say, I will not drive them out before you; they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.
וְגַם ('and also') adds a second divine pronouncement to the indictment of v. 2: because Israel broke faith, YHWH now announces he will not complete the dispossession. The two weqatal/yiqtol clauses cast the remaining nations and their gods as a double snare — political thorn and religious trap — reversing the conquest promise into judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְגַ֣םand alsoconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating conjunction + adverb (introduces added consequence)גַּם (H1571) 'also, moreover'; adds a further consequence beyond the broken covenant — the continuing presence of the nations as adversaries.
אָמַ֔רְתִּיI saidQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, resumes divine first-person speech)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive prior pronouncementאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's further pronouncement of consequence.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אֲגָרֵשׁלֹא (H3808); negates the promised driving-out — the reversal of Israel's expectation.
אֲגָרֵ֥שׁI will drive outPiel impf 1cs · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb (quoted divine pronouncement)→ Yiqtol: future/volitional — YHWH's resolved withholding of dispossessionגָּרַשׁ (H1644) Piel 'to drive out, expel'; the verb of conquest (cf. Exod 23:29-31) now withheld — YHWH's own withdrawal of the promised dispossession.
אוֹתָ֖ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of אֲגָרֵשׁ)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, marking the Canaanite nations as the object of the withheld expulsion.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑םfrom before youprep מִ + N c pl constr/2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (source/separation)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic מִפְּנֵי 'from before, from the presence of' — marks the nations as remaining rather than being expelled from Israel's presence.
וְהָי֤וּand they will bewaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal continuing the modal/future sequence→ Weqatal: continues the future/consequential chain — a certain, resulting stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the weqatal continues the future-oriented pronouncement, describing the resulting condition of the remaining nations.
לָכֶם֙to youprep + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect object (predicate complement, 'to you')לְ 'to, for'; marks Israel as the one affected by the nations' remaining presence.
לְצִדִּ֔יםas thornsprep לְ + N m pl abs · צַד (H6654)Predicate complement (result/identity, 'as thorns')צַד (H6654) properly 'side'; here idiomatically 'thorns/adversaries in the side' — an image of the remaining Canaanites as a persistent affliction in Israel's flank (cf. Num 33:55).
וֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔םand their godsconj וְ + N m pl constr/3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of יִהְיוּאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; the Canaanite deities, paired with the nations themselves as a double threat — political thorn and religious snare.
יִהְי֥וּwill beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future — a certain coming stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; predicts the ongoing religious threat the remaining peoples' gods will pose.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect object (predicate complement)לְ 'to, for'; again marks Israel as the one endangered.
לְמוֹקֵֽשׁa snareprep לְ + N m sg abs · מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170)Predicate complement (result/identity, 'as a snare')מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170) 'snare, trap', from יָקַשׁ 'to lay a snare'; the standard warning-word for the seductive danger of the nations' gods (cf. Exod 23:33; Deut 7:16).
4
וַיְהִ֗י כְּדַבֵּ֞ר מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהוָה֙ אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֶֽל כָּל בְּנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֶת קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּֽוּ
And when the angel of YHWH spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people lifted up their voice and wept.
The formulaic וַיְהִי כְּ + infinitive construct frames the people's weeping as the direct, immediate response to the messenger's speech (vv. 1-3). The wayyiqtol chain (lifted voice, wept) narrates a single unified act of communal lament that will supply the etiology of v. 5.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal frame, 'and it came to pass')→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening a temporal clauseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the formulaic וַיְהִי introduces a temporal clause, here 'and when...'
כְּדַבֵּ֞רwhen he spokeprep כְּ + Piel inf constr · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Temporal infinitive clause (subject clause of the וַיְהִי frame)→ Infinitive construct with temporal prep כְּ: 'as/when he spoke' — marks simultaneityדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the messenger's speaking (vv. 1-3) is now retrospectively framed as the completed speech-event triggering the people's reaction.
מַלְאַ֤ךְthe messenger/angel ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of כְּדַבֵּר (construct chain with יְהוָה)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; resumes the subject of vv. 1-3.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of כְּדַבֵּר)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of כְּדַבֵּרדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; refers back to the entire indictment speech of vv. 1-3.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the preceding speech as a definite, bounded unit.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee of the speech, resumed)אֶל (H413) 'to'; reintroduces the audience of the messenger's words.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; emphasizes the totality of the audience — the entire nation heard.
בְּנֵ֖יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitive, 'sons of Israel')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'sons of Israel', the standard designation for the covenant people.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation, addressed corporately in this scene.
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּand they liftedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the people's response begins)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the emotional response to the indictmentנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; idiomatic נָשָׂא קוֹל 'to raise the voice', here in weeping.
הָעָ֛םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וַיִּשְׂאוּעַם (H5971) 'people'; the nation collectively, reacting as one body to the messenger's indictment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּשְׂאוּ)אֵת (H853), marking קוֹלָם as the definite object of the idiom נָשָׂא קוֹל.
קוֹלָ֖םtheir voiceN m sg constr/3mp suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of וַיִּשְׂאוּקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; נָשָׂא קוֹל וַיִּבְכּוּ, 'they lifted their voice and wept' — a stock expression of loud communal lament (cf. Gen 21:16; 27:38).
וַיִּבְכּֽוּand they weptwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בָּכָה (H1058)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (climax of the people's response)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the culminating act that will supply the place its nameבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep'; the verbal root behind the place-name בֹּכִים given in v. 5 — the etiology's hinge word.
5
וַֽיִּקְרְא֛וּ שֵֽׁם הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא בֹּכִ֑ים וַיִּזְבְּחוּ שָׁ֖ם לַֽיהוָֽה
So they called the name of that place Bochim, and they sacrificed there to YHWH.
The opening scene closes with the classic two-part etiology-plus-cult pattern: the place is named from the people's weeping (closing the loop opened proleptically in v. 1), and the response culminates not merely in tears but in sacrifice to YHWH — a note of provisional repentance framing everything the retrospective and cyclical paradigm that follows will complicate.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽיִּקְרְא֛וּand they calledwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (naming formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the etiological naming actקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; introduces the standard etiological formula וַיִּקְרְאוּ שֵׁם־הַמָּקוֹם.
שֵֽׁםthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וַיִּקְרְאוּשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; object of the naming formula.
הַמָּק֥וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Genitive (construct chain with שֵׁם)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the site of the messenger's indictment and the people's weeping.
הַה֖וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמָּקוֹם ('that place')הוּא (H1931) with article functions demonstratively, 'that (aforementioned) place' — the standard etiological formula.
בֹּכִ֑יםBochimproper noun · בֹּכִים (H1066)Predicate complement (the name given)בֹּכִים (H1066) 'weepers', from בָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep' (v. 4); the etiology closes the loop opened proleptically in v. 1, where the site was already named this.
וַיִּזְבְּחוּand they sacrificedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · זָבַח (H2076)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (closing cultic act)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the scene closes with worship, not merely lamentזָבַח (H2076) 'to sacrifice'; the weeping issues in sacrifice, marking Bochim as a site of both mourning and renewed cultic devotion to YHWH.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial (locative)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; anchors the sacrifice to the newly named site.
לַֽיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect object (recipient of the sacrifice)יְהוָה (H3068); the sacrifice is directed to YHWH specifically, a note of provisional repentance closing the scene.
6
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶת הָעָ֑ם וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אִ֥ישׁ לְנַחֲלָת֖וֹ לָרֶ֥שֶׁת אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ
So Joshua sent the people away, and the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance, to possess the land.
The narrative shifts register from the Bochim scene to a retrospective recap that closely parallels the close of Joshua (24:28-31) — a recognized seam/doublet. This flashback establishes the golden final days of Joshua and the elders before the generational rupture of v. 10, providing the baseline of faithfulness against which the judges-era cycle of vv. 11-19 will be measured.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥חand he sent awaywaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (opens the Joshua retrospect)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a new unit begins, looking back to Joshua's dismissal of the people (cf. Josh 24:28)שָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, dismiss'; the chapter pivots to a retrospective recap paralleling Josh 24:28-31 almost verbatim, a seam/doublet closing the conquest era before the judges cycle begins.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיְשַׁלַּחיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'Joshua'; Moses' successor, whose death and burial are narrated in vv. 8-9, framing the whole retrospect.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיְשַׁלַּח)אֵת (H853), marking הָעָם as the definite object.
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיְשַׁלַּחעַם (H5971) 'people'; Israel, dismissed to its tribal territories.
וַיֵּלְכ֧וּand they wentwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the tribal dispersalהָלַךְ (here cited H3212) 'to go, walk'; the dispersal of Israel to its tribal allotments, echoing the close of the conquest narrative.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject of וַיֵּלְכוּ, 'sons of Israel')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the covenant nation as subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation.
אִ֥ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive apposition ('each man to his inheritance')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; used distributively, 'each one', marking individual/tribal dispersal rather than corporate unity.
לְנַחֲלָת֖וֹto his inheritanceprep לְ + N f sg constr/3ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Prepositional phrase (goal, distributive)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, allotted portion'; the tribal land allotments assigned under Joshua (cf. Josh 13-21).
לָרֶ֥שֶׁתto possessprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose prep לְ: 'in order to possess' — states the intended outcome of the dispersalיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, take possession of, dispossess'; the same root recurs throughout the chapter to describe Israel's failure to complete dispossession of the nations.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of לָרֶשֶׁת)אֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite object of possession.
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לָרֶשֶׁתאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; its full possession will be repeatedly compromised across the chapter's cyclical paradigm.
7
וַיַּעַבְד֤וּ הָעָם֙ אֶת יְהוָ֔ה כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וְכֹ֣ל יְמֵ֣י הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶאֱרִ֤יכוּ יָמִים֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוֹשׁ֔וּעַ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רָא֗וּ אֵ֣ת כָּל מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ הַגָּד֔וֹל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל
The people served YHWH all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of YHWH that he had done for Israel.
The verse defines the golden era of faithfulness by two overlapping temporal boundaries — Joshua's own lifetime and the extended lifespan of the elders who outlived him — and grounds that faithfulness explicitly in eyewitness memory (רָאוּ, 'had seen'). This careful specification sets up the sharp contrast of v. 10, where a generation arises that neither knew YHWH nor had seen his work.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיַּעַבְד֤וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause of the retrospect)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — describes the faithful service that characterized this eraעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; here of cultic/covenantal service to YHWH — the same root recurs ominously in vv. 11, 13, 19 for service rendered to Baal instead.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וַיַּעַבְדוּעַם (H5971) 'people'; Israel as a body, faithful throughout this era.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה as the definite object of service.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיַּעַבְדוּיְהוָה (H3068); the sole, exclusive object of Israel's service in this golden era — soon to be replaced by 'the Baals' (v. 11).
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing יְמֵי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (temporal, 'all the days of')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; frames the duration of faithfulness as total, bounded precisely by named lifespans.
יְמֵ֣יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain (temporal, genitive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; יְמֵי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, 'the days/lifetime of Joshua', the first temporal boundary of faithfulness.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the first temporal marker bounding Israel's faithfulness.
וְכֹ֣לand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing the second temporal phrase, coordinated with the firstכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; extends the period of faithfulness beyond Joshua's own lifetime.
יְמֵ֣יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain (temporal, genitive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the second temporal boundary, יְמֵי הַזְּקֵנִים.
הַזְּקֵנִ֗יםthe eldersart + adj m pl abs (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Genitive (construct chain); substantival adjective, 'the elders'זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; the generation of leaders who witnessed the conquest and outlived Joshua, extending faithful memory one generation further.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying הַזְּקֵנִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the qualifying clause defining these elders by their extended lifespan and eyewitness memory.
הֶאֱרִ֤יכוּprolongedHiphil perf 3cp · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of fact — their days were, as a fact, extended beyond Joshua's ownאָרַךְ (H748) Hiphil 'to lengthen, prolong'; הֶאֱרִיכוּ יָמִים אַחֲרֵי, idiomatic 'outlived, lived on after' — the mechanism carrying faithful memory one generation past Joshua.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative (object of extent with הֶאֱרִיכוּ)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; accusative of duration, 'lengthened days', i.e., lived long.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (temporal, 'after Joshua')אַחַר (H310) 'after'; marks the elders' survival beyond Joshua's own lifetime.
יְהוֹשׁ֔וּעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵייְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the temporal reference point the elders outlived.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces second qualifying clause on הַזְּקֵנִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the second, eyewitness qualification of the elders.
רָא֗וּhad seenQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of witness — firsthand experience grounding their faithfulnessרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; direct eyewitness experience of YHWH's acts is presented as the ground of faithful memory — memory the next generation (v. 10) will lack.
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of רָאוּ)אֵת (H853), marking the extensive object clause (כָּל מַעֲשֵׂה יְהוָה...) as definite.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing מַעֲשֵׂה יְהוָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; totality of witnessed divine action.
מַעֲשֵׂ֤הthe work ofN m sg constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Construct chain (genitive, 'the work of YHWH')מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed', from עָשָׂה; the totality of YHWH's saving acts witnessed by this generation — the same noun recurs pointedly in v. 10's negative, 'the work he had done.'
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068).
הַגָּד֔וֹלthe greatart + adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying מַעֲשֵׂהגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; qualifies the magnitude of YHWH's witnessed deeds of conquest and deliverance.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces final qualifying clause on מַעֲשֵׂה יְהוָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the concluding relative clause specifying the deeds as done for Israel.
עָשָׂ֖הhe didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; YHWH's decisive action on Israel's behalf, the antecedent this generation witnessed firsthand.
לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽלfor Israelprep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Indirect object (beneficiary of עָשָׂה)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the beneficiary of YHWH's great work — the same phrase 'the work he had done for Israel' recurs negatively in v. 10 of the generation that did not know it.
8
וַיָּ֛מָת יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בִּן נ֖וּן עֶ֣בֶד יְהוָ֑ה בֶּן מֵאָ֥ה וָעֶ֖שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים
And Joshua son of Nun, the servant of YHWH, died, being 110 years old.
The death notice closely parallels Josh 24:29, applying to Joshua the honorific עֶבֶד יְהוָה shared with Moses. The precise age (110) matches the Joshua source exactly, anchoring the retrospect's historical seam before the burial notice of v. 9 introduces the chapter's most famous textual crux.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיָּ֛מָתand he diedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the death that closes the Joshua eraמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Joshua's death, echoing Josh 24:29, marks the definitive end of the conquest generation's leadership.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיָּמָתיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
בִּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition (patronymic identifying Joshua)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; introduces Joshua's patronymic, בִּן־נוּן.
נ֖וּןNunproper noun · נוּן (H5126)Genitive (construct chain)נוּן (H5126), Joshua's father.
עֶ֣בֶדservant ofN m sg constr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Apposition (title, 'servant of YHWH')עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; עֶבֶד יְהוָה, the honorific title shared with Moses (Deut 34:5), marking Joshua as Moses' true successor even in death.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068).
בֶּןagedN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition (age formula, 'a son of 110 years')בֵּן (H1121); idiomatic בֶּן + number, 'aged/of the age of' — the standard Hebrew age-notice formula.
מֵאָ֥הa hundredcardinal number c sg abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (construct with בֶּן)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; part of the age notice, 110 years — matching Josh 24:29 exactly.
וָעֶ֖שֶׂרand tenconj וְ + cardinal number f sg abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Numeral (coordinated with מֵאָה)עֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; completes the total of 110 years.
שָׁנִֽיםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative (specification, 'years')שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; specifies the unit of the numeral, completing 'a son of 110 years' = aged 110.
9
וַיִּקְבְּר֤וּ אוֹתוֹ֙ בִּגְב֣וּל נַחֲלָת֔וֹ בְּתִמְנַת חֶ֖רֶס בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם מִצְּפ֖וֹן לְהַר גָּֽעַשׁ
And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.
This verse repeats Josh 24:30 almost verbatim, but with the place name reversed to תִּמְנַת־חֶרֶס ('Timnath-heres') against Joshua's תִּמְנַת־סֶרַח ('Timnath-serah') — the same three consonants in transposed order, a celebrated scribal-inversion crux whose cause remains debated. The doublet with Josh 24 marks this whole retrospect (vv. 6-9) as a reused, seam-conscious close to the conquest era.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּקְבְּר֤וּand they buriedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · קָבַר (H6912)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the burial closes the death noticeקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; the burial notice closely parallels Josh 24:30, though with the site's name spelled differently — see following entries.
אוֹתוֹ֙[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּקְבְּרוּ)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, marking Joshua as the object of burial.
בִּגְב֣וּלin the territory ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Prepositional phrase (locative)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'territory, border'; locates the burial within Joshua's own tribal allotment.
נַחֲלָת֔וֹhis inheritanceN f sg constr/3ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Genitive (construct chain with גְּבוּל)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance'; Joshua's personal allotment (cf. Josh 19:49-50), where he is buried.
בְּתִמְנַתin Timnath-prep בְּ + proper noun (construct) · תִּמְנָה (H8556)Prepositional phrase (locative, place name, first element)תִּמְנָה (H8556); first element of the place name, paired with the following element.
חֶ֖רֶסHeresproper noun · חֶרֶס (H8556)Second element of the place name (apposition)חֶרֶס (H8556) 'sun'; here תִּמְנַת־חֶרֶס 'Portion of the Sun'. Josh 19:50 and 24:30 give the same site as תִּמְנַת־סֶרַח (Timnath-serah) — the consonants ח-ר-ס and ס-ר-ח are a transposition of the same three letters, a famous scribal-inversion crux (metathesis, dialectal variant, or deliberate avoidance of a sun-cult-sounding name have all been proposed).
בְּהַ֣רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Prepositional phrase (locative)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; locates the burial region.
אֶפְרָ֑יִםEphraimproper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitive (construct chain)אֶפְרַיִם (H669); the tribal hill country where Joshua, an Ephraimite (Num 13:8, 16), received his inheritance.
מִצְּפ֖וֹןnorth ofprep מִ + N f sg constr · צָפוֹן (H6828)Prepositional phrase (locative, directional)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; specifies the burial site's position relative to Mount Gaash.
לְהַרof Mountprep לְ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Genitive (construct chain, object of מִצְּפוֹן)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; introduces the landmark used to fix the burial site's location.
גָּֽעַשׁGaashproper noun · גַּעַשׁ (H1608)Genitive (construct chain)גַּעַשׁ (H1608) 'quaking'; an otherwise unknown hill in Ephraim used, as in Josh 24:30, to triangulate Joshua's burial site.
10
וְגַם֙ כָּל הַדּ֣וֹר הַה֔וּא נֶאֶסְפ֖וּ אֶל אֲבוֹתָ֑יו וַיָּקָם֩ דּ֨וֹר אַחֵ֜ר אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא יָֽדְעוּ֙ אֶת יְהוָ֔ה וְגַם֙ אֶת הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers, and another generation arose after them who did not know YHWH, nor the work that he had done for Israel.
This verse is the theological fulcrum of Judges. The euphemism 'gathered to the fathers' closes the retrospect's account of faithful eyewitnesses; the wayyiqtol וַיָּקָם then introduces 'another generation' defined entirely by double ignorance — of YHWH himself and of his historical acts. Where v. 7 grounded faithfulness in eyewitness memory (רָאוּ, 'had seen'), v. 10 grounds the coming cycle of apostasy in its absence: a generation that neither knew nor had seen is structurally incapable of the covenant loyalty just described.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְגַם֙and alsoconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating conjunction + adverb (introduces the generational transition)גַּם (H1571) 'also'; adds this generation's passing to Joshua's own, marking a further stage in the retrospect's decline.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַדּוֹר הַהוּאכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; totality — the entire eyewitness generation, without remainder, passes away.
הַדּ֣וֹרthe generationart + N m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Genitive (construct chain), subject-designate of נֶאֶסְפוּדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; the term structuring the whole verse's contrast — this generation versus 'another generation' below.
הַה֔וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדּוֹרהוּא (H1931) with article, demonstrative 'that (aforementioned) generation' — the elders of v. 7.
נֶאֶסְפ֖וּwere gatheredNiphal perf 3cp · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive event — the euphemistic idiom for deathאָסַף (H622) Niphal 'to be gathered'; נֶאֱסַף אֶל אֲבֹתָיו, the standard euphemism for death and reunion with one's ancestors (cf. Gen 25:8; 49:33).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, idiom 'gathered to')אֶל (H413) 'to'; completes the idiom of death as reunion.
אֲבוֹתָ֑יוhis fathersN m pl constr/3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Object of preposition אֶלאָב (H1) 'father'; idiomatic 'gathered to his fathers' — death folded into the ancestral company.
וַיָּקָם֩and there arosewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, introduces the new generation)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive turning point of the entire bookקוּם (H6965) 'to arise, stand up'; here of a generation's ascendance to historical existence — the same root recurs for the raising up of judges (vv. 16, 18).
דּ֨וֹרa generationN m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Subject of וַיָּקָםדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; the new, decisive actor of the book's entire remaining narrative.
אַחֵ֜רanotheradj m sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying דּוֹראַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; marks discontinuity — not merely a successive but a qualitatively different generation.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗םafter themprep + 3mp suffix · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (temporal, following the elders)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; situates the new generation's rise after the death of the eyewitness elders.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces the defining clause on דּוֹר אַחֵר)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the verse's climactic characterization.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָדְעוּלֹא (H3808); the defining negative — this generation's whole character is captured by what it does NOT know.
יָֽדְעוּ֙knewQal perf 3cp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed state described as an accomplished absence — 'did not know', the book's hinge diagnosisיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; covenantal, relational knowledge (not mere information) — its absence in this generation is the theological engine of the entire book of Judges.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of יָדְעוּ)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה as the definite object of the missing knowledge.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of יָדְעוּיְהוָה (H3068); the very God this generation fails to know — reversing v. 7's portrait of eyewitness faithfulness.
וְגַם֙norconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating conjunction + adverb (adds the second object of ignorance)גַּם (H1571) 'also'; adds a second object of the generation's ignorance — not only YHWH himself but his historical acts.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second object of יָדְעוּ)אֵת (H853), marking הַמַּעֲשֶׂה as the second definite object of ignorance.
הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔הthe workart + N m sg abs · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Second direct object of יָדְעוּמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed'; deliberately echoes v. 7's מַעֲשֵׂה יְהוָה הַגָּדוֹל — what the elders saw firsthand, this generation does not even know by report.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying הַמַּעֲשֶׂה)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the final qualifying clause.
עָשָׂ֖הhe had doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, now unknown to those it was done forעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the same verb and object as v. 7, now negated by ignorance rather than affirmed by memory — the verse's tragic pivot.
לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽלfor Israelprep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Indirect object (beneficiary of עָשָׂה)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation for whom the great work was done — now the very nation that fails to know it.
11
וַיַּעֲשׂ֧וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיַּעַבְד֖וּ אֶת הַבְּעָלִֽים
And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the eyes of YHWH and served the Baals.
This verse states, once for all, the formula that recurs throughout the rest of Judges to open each cycle (cf. 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1). Both verbs deliberately echo v. 7 (עָשָׂה, עָבַד) — the same actions once rendered faithfully to YHWH now transfer to the Baals, the precise reversal the ignorant generation of v. 10 makes possible.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיַּעֲשׂ֧וּand they didwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (opens the paradigm's first stage: apostasy)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the paradigm's opening act, stated once for all subsequent cyclesעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; וַיַּעֲשׂוּ...הָרַע, the recurring formula opening every cycle of the judges period (cf. 3:7, 12; 4:1), stated here programmatically.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject of וַיַּעֲשׂוּ)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the covenant nation as the paradigm's subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּ)אֵת (H853), marking הָרַע as the definite object.
הָרַ֖עthe evilart + adj m sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, 'that which is evil' — the standard Deuteronomic evaluative category (cf. Deut 4:25; 17:2) that runs through Judges' refrain.
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase (standard of evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiomatic בְּעֵינֵי, 'in the eyes/estimation of' — YHWH is the evaluative standard, not human custom.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, idiom 'in the eyes of YHWH')יְהוָה (H3068).
וַיַּעַבְד֖וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second stage of the paradigm)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the same verb used positively of YHWH in v. 7, now redirected to idolsעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; deliberately reuses v. 7's verb — the service once rendered to YHWH is transferred to the Baals.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)אֵת (H853), marking הַבְּעָלִים as the definite object of service.
הַבְּעָלִֽיםthe Baalsart + proper noun (pl) · בַּעַל (H1168)Direct object of וַיַּעַבְדוּבַּעַל (H1168) 'lord, master', the Canaanite storm-and-fertility god; plural הַבְּעָלִים denotes the various local manifestations/cult-sites of Baal worshiped across Canaan.
12
וַיַּעַזְב֞וּ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבוֹתָ֗ם הַמּוֹצִ֣יא אוֹתָם֮ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַיִם֒ וַיֵּלְכ֞וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים מֵאֱלֹהֵ֤י הָֽעַמִּים֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ סְבִיב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם וַיַּכְעִ֖סוּ אֶת יְהוָֽה
So they forsook YHWH the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went after other gods, from the gods of the peoples around them, and bowed down to them, and they provoked YHWH to anger.
The verse expands v. 11's summary formula into four coordinated wayyiqtol stages — forsaking YHWH (named by the exodus-deliverance participle הַמּוֹצִיא), going after other gods drawn from the surrounding peoples, bowing to them, and thereby provoking YHWH. The chain traces apostasy as a process, not a single lapse, and explicitly recalls the exodus identity (vv. 1, 12) being abandoned.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיַּעַזְב֞וּand they forsookwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָזַב (H5800)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (elaborates the apostasy of v. 11)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — names the abandonment underlying the idolatry just statedעָזַב (H5800) 'to forsake, abandon'; the positive counterpart of 'serving the Baals' — covenant abandonment stated in its own terms.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַזְבוּ)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה as the definite object forsaken.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיַּעַזְבוּיְהוָה (H3068); named explicitly as the one abandoned, intensifying the accusation of v. 11.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition (title identifying YHWH)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתָם, 'the God of their fathers' — stresses the ancestral, covenantal relationship being severed.
אֲבוֹתָ֗םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive (construct chain with אֱלֹהֵי)אָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchal generation whose God this was — cf. also the elders/eyewitnesses of vv. 7, 10.
הַמּוֹצִ֣יאthe one who brought outart + Hiphil ptc m sg abs (substantival) · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival participle in apposition to יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתָם→ Participle: characterizing/durative — 'the one who brought them out', identifying YHWH by his defining redemptive actיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the substantival participle names YHWH by the exodus deliverance — the very act invoked in v. 1, now forsaken.
אוֹתָם֮[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of הַמּוֹצִיא)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, marking Israel as the object of the exodus deliverance.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, 'from the land of Egypt', the standard exodus formula.
מִצְרַיִם֒Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714).
וַיֵּלְכ֞וּand they wentwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (third stage of the paradigm)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — pursuit of other gods stated as a deliberate actהָלַךְ (here cited H3212) 'to go'; idiomatic הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי, 'to go after/follow' — the standard idiom for apostate allegiance.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (object of pursuit, idiom הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; idiomatic with הָלַךְ, 'to follow after' foreign gods.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; here plural, generic deities in contrast to YHWH.
אֲחֵרִ֗יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'; אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, the standard Deuteronomic phrase for forbidden foreign deities (cf. Deut 5:7).
מֵאֱלֹהֵ֤יfrom the gods ofprep מִ + N m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Prepositional phrase (partitive, specifying the source of the 'other gods')אֱלֹהִים (H430); partitive מִן specifies that these other gods are drawn from the surrounding peoples' pantheons.
הָֽעַמִּים֙the peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain)עַם (H5971) 'people'; the Canaanite populations named earlier as remaining thorns and snares (v. 3).
אֲשֶׁר֙whorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying הָעַמִּים)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the locational qualifier.
סְבִיב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔םaround themN c pl constr/3mp suffix · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial (locative, predicate of the relative clause)סָבִיב (H5439) 'surroundings, environs'; locates the source peoples as those living in Israel's immediate vicinity — precisely the remaining nations of v. 3.
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּand they bowed downwaw-consec + Hishtaphel wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (fourth stage of the paradigm)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — physical prostration completes the progression from abandonment to worshipשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel 'to bow down, worship'; the culminating act of homage to the foreign gods, completing the reversal of covenant loyalty.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object (object of worship)לְ 'to'; marks the foreign gods as recipients of the bowing.
וַיַּכְעִ֖סוּand they provokedwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · כָּעַס (H3707)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (result: divine anger provoked)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — states the relational consequence of the preceding actsכָּעַס (H3707) Hiphil 'to provoke to anger, vex'; names the effect of Israel's apostasy on YHWH himself, setting up the anger of vv. 14, 20.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּכְעִסוּ)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה as the definite object provoked.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיַּכְעִסוּיְהוָה (H3068); the one provoked — the paradigm's stages culminate in a wounded, angered covenant partner.
13
וַיַּעַזְב֖וּ אֶת יְהוָ֑ה וַיַּעַבְד֥וּ לַבַּ֖עַל וְלָעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת
They forsook YHWH and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
This terse verse compresses v. 12's fuller description into the book's recurring shorthand — 'Baal and the Ashtaroth' — the male-female pair that recurs as the standard designation of Canaanite idolatry throughout Judges (cf. 10:6).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיַּעַזְב֖וּand they forsookwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָזַב (H5800)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (recapitulates and compresses the paradigm)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a summary restatement of v. 12's forsakingעָזַב (H5800) 'to forsake'; the verse restates and compresses the fuller description of v. 12 into a terse formula naming the specific deities.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַזְבוּ)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה as the definite object forsaken.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיַּעַזְבוּיְהוָה (H3068).
וַיַּעַבְד֥וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — names the specific deities servedעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; the verse specifies the generic 'Baals' of v. 11 into the pairing Baal-and-Ashtaroth, the standard male-female Canaanite deity pair.
לַבַּ֖עַלBaalprep לְ + art + proper noun · בַּעַל (H1168)Indirect object (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)בַּעַל (H1168) 'lord, master'; here singular with article, the storm-and-fertility god of Canaan, worshiped locally.
וְלָעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹתand the Ashtarothconj וְ + prep לְ + art + proper noun (pl) · עַשְׁתֹּרֶת (H6252)Indirect object (second object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)עַשְׁתֹּרֶת (H6252) 'Ashtoreth/Astarte', the Canaanite goddess of fertility and war; plural עַשְׁתָּרוֹת denotes her various local cult images, paired with Baal as the standard idol-pair of the judges refrain (cf. 10:6).
14
וַיִּֽחַר אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַֽיִּתְּנֵם֙ בְּיַד שֹׁסִ֔ים וַיָּשֹׁ֖סּוּ אוֹתָ֑ם וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֞ם בְּיַ֤ד אֽוֹיְבֵיהֶם֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב וְלֹֽא יָכְל֣וּ ע֔וֹד לַעֲמֹ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י אוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם
And the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he gave them into the hand of plunderers who plundered them; and he sold them into the hand of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.
The verse names YHWH's anger as the direct, formulaic response to the provocation of v. 12 (חָרָה אַף), then narrates judgment in two parallel idioms — 'gave into the hand of' and 'sold into the hand of' — framing YHWH as the ultimate agent behind Israel's military collapse before surrounding enemies, not merely an observer of it.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּֽחַרand it burnedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause; idiom of anger)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the divine response to provocation stated as factחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; idiomatic חָרָה אַף, 'anger burned' — the standard Hebrew idiom for kindled wrath, here YHWH's direct response to the provocation of v. 12.
אַ֤ףthe anger/nose ofN common sg abs · אַף (H639)Subject of וַיִּחַראַף (H639) 'nose, nostril; anger' (from the flaring nostrils of rage); subject of the idiom חָרָה אַף, 'anger burned'.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, 'the anger of YHWH')יְהוָה (H3068); whose anger is provoked, the direct consequence of v. 12's כַּעַס.
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לagainst Israelprep בְּ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Prepositional phrase (object of the anger)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant nation, now the target of YHWH's kindled anger rather than its object of protection.
וַֽיִּתְּנֵם֙and he gave themwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms/3mp suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause; consequence of the anger)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the concrete punitive act following divine angerנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatic נָתַן בְּיַד, 'to give into the hand of' — the standard formula for handing a people over to an enemy in judgment.
בְּיַדinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (idiom נָתַן בְּיַד)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic 'into the hand of' — power and control handed over to the enemy.
שֹׁסִ֔יםplunderersQal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁסָה (H8154)Substantival participle, object of preposition בְּיַד→ Participle: characterizing — 'those who plunder', naming the agents of judgment by their characteristic actionשָׁסָה (H8154) 'to plunder, spoil'; the substantival participle names Israel's oppressors generically as raiders, not yet specific nations (contrast the named oppressors of later chapters).
וַיָּשֹׁ֖סּוּand they plunderedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁסַס (H8155)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the plunderers' action against Israel, a wordplay on the preceding participleשָׁסַס (H8155) 'to plunder'; paronomastic repetition with שֹׁסִים — 'plunderers plundered them', emphasizing the totality and fittingness of the judgment.
אוֹתָ֑ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיָּשֹׁסּוּ)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, marking Israel as the object plundered.
וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֞םand he sold themwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms/3mp suffix · מָכַר (H4376)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, resumes YHWH as subject)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH himself, not merely the plunderers, is the ultimate agent handing Israel overמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; idiomatic of handing a people over to their enemies in judgment (cf. 3:8; 4:2; 10:7) — YHWH is the seller, the enemies the buyers.
בְּיַ֤דinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (idiom נָתַן/מָכַר בְּיַד)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; repeats the idiom of v. 14a, now specifying the enemies as recipients.
אֽוֹיְבֵיהֶם֙their enemiesQal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · אֹיֵב (H341)Substantival participle, object of preposition בְּיַד→ Participle: characterizing — 'those hostile to them', naming the oppressors by their enduring relation to Israelאֹיֵב (H341), substantival participle of אָיַב 'to be hostile'; 'enemy' — a broader, more permanent designation than the specific 'plunderers' of v. 14a.
מִסָּבִ֔יבfrom aroundprep מִ + N c sg abs · סָבִיב (H5439)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative)סָבִיב (H5439) 'surroundings'; the enemies press in from every side, echoing the encircling peoples of v. 12.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָכְלוּלֹא (H3808); negates Israel's capacity to resist — total military helplessness.
יָכְל֣וּthey were ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of fact — incapacity, not merely difficultyיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated, describes Israel's total loss of military capacity before its enemies.
ע֔וֹדany longeradverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial (temporal, 'any longer')עוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; with the negative, 'no longer' — marks the definitive collapse of Israel's former military standing.
לַעֲמֹ֖דto standprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָמַד (H5975)Complementary infinitive (object of יָכְלוּ)→ Infinitive construct completing יָכְלוּ: 'to stand' — the specific incapacity namedעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; idiomatic of holding one's ground in battle.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (object of לַעֲמֹד)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic לִפְנֵי, 'before, in the presence of' — cannot stand in battle before the enemy.
אוֹיְבֵיהֶֽםtheir enemiesQal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · אֹיֵב (H341)Substantival participle, object of preposition לִפְנֵי→ Participle: characterizing — 'those hostile to them'אֹיֵב (H341); repeats the term used earlier in the verse, framing the whole verse with the enemies who now dominate Israel.
15
בְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָצְא֗וּ יַד יְהוָה֙ הָיְתָה בָּ֣ם לְרָעָ֔ה כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה וְכַאֲשֶׁ֛ר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לָהֶ֑ם וַיֵּ֥צֶר לָהֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד
Wherever they went out, the hand of YHWH was against them for harm, as YHWH had spoken and as YHWH had sworn to them; and they were in great distress.
The verse universalizes Israel's defeat ('wherever they went out') and explicitly ties it to prior divine speech and oath — likely referencing warnings such as Josh 23:15-16 or the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28. The judgment is thus not arbitrary but the fulfillment of YHWH's own prior word, closing with the double-לָהֶם emphasis on Israel's dire distress that will provoke the raising up of judges in v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
בְּכֹ֣לin allprep בְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (temporal/circumstantial, 'in all [that] they went out')כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; frames the totality of Israel's military ventures as uniformly disastrous.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat/whereverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces the clause governed by בְּכֹל)אֲשֶׁר (H834); with בְּכֹל, idiomatic 'in all that/wherever'.
יָצְא֗וּthey went outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, repeated pattern — every military campaign, without exceptionיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; military idiom, 'to go out (to battle/campaign)'.
יַדthe hand ofN c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Subject of הָיְתָהיָד (H3027) 'hand'; יַד יְהוָה, 'the hand of YHWH', standard idiom for divine power exercised for or against.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068); active agent behind the recurring military disasters.
הָיְתָהwasQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, standing state — the hand of YHWH was consistently against themהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the settled condition of divine opposition throughout this period.
בָּ֣םagainst themprep + 3mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (object of הָיְתָה)בְּ 'in, against'; here adversative, marking Israel as the target of YHWH's hand.
לְרָעָ֔הfor harmprep לְ + N f sg abs · רָעָה (H7451)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/result)רָעָה (H7451) 'evil, harm, calamity'; the feminine counterpart of רַע (v. 11) — divine action producing disaster, matching the evil Israel had done.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction (introduces clause of correspondence)כַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; introduces the confirmation that this judgment matches YHWH's prior word.
דִּבֶּ֣רhe had spokenPiel perf 3ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of speech now fulfilledדִּבֵּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the judgment fulfills a specific prior divine word (cf. Deut 28; Josh 23:15-16).
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068).
וְכַאֲשֶׁ֛רand asconj וְ + prep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction (second clause of correspondence)כַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; parallels the previous clause, adding the dimension of oath alongside spoken word.
נִשְׁבַּ֥עhe had swornNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, binding oath now fulfilled in judgmentשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear'; echoes the oath language of v. 1 (נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי), now invoked for judgment rather than blessing — the same divine word-keeping cuts both ways.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068).
לָהֶ֑םto themprep + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object (recipient of the oath/warning)לְ 'to'; marks Israel as the recipient of the sworn warning now fulfilled.
וַיֵּ֥צֶרand it was distressingwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · צָרַר (H3334)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (impersonal construction, 'it was distressing to them')→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — states the circumstantial outcome as factצָרַר (H3334) 'to bind, be narrow, be in distress'; impersonal וַיֵּצֶר לָהֶם, 'it was dire for them' — the same root as צָרָה 'distress', anticipating the cry-for-help pattern of the rest of the book.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep + 3mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (experiencer of the distress)לְ 'to'; marks Israel as those experiencing the distress.
מְאֹֽדgreatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial (intensifier of וַיֵּצֶר)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, greatly'; intensifies the distress to the point of crisis, setting up YHWH's raising of judges in v. 16.
16
וַיָּ֥קֶם יְהוָ֖ה שֹֽׁפְטִ֑ים וַיּ֣וֹשִׁיע֔וּם מִיַּ֖ד שֹׁסֵיהֶֽם
Then YHWH raised up judges, who saved them from the hand of those who plundered them.
The verse turns the cycle from judgment to grace: the same verb קוּם used of the ignorant generation's rise (v. 10) now describes YHWH's own raising up of judges — deliverer-figures whose function (יָשַׁע, 'save') defines the book's title. The deliverance precisely reverses v. 14's language of being given into the plunderers' hand.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיָּ֥קֶםand he raised upwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause; the paradigm's pivot)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive gracious turn after judgmentקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up, cause to stand'; the same root as v. 10's וַיָּקָם (Qal, the new generation's rise) — now YHWH himself raises up deliverers in response to distress.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיָּקֶםיְהוָה (H3068); the same God whose hand was against them (v. 15) now acts to deliver — his anger does not have the last word.
שֹֽׁפְטִ֑יםjudgesQal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Direct object of וַיָּקֶם→ Participle: characterizing — 'those who judge/govern', naming the office by its defining functionשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge, govern, vindicate'; the substantival participle gives the book its title — these figures are raised as ad hoc deliverer-governors, not a permanent institution.
וַיּ֣וֹשִׁיע֔וּםand they saved themwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp/3mp suffix · יָשַׁע (H3467)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (result of the judges' raising)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the judges' defining accomplishment, deliveranceיָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; the verbal root behind 'salvation/savior' language throughout the book — the judges' primary function is deliverance, not jurisprudence.
מִיַּ֖דfrom the hand ofprep מִ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (source, object of deliverance)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; reverses the idiom of v. 14 — deliverance FROM the hand, rather than being given INTO it.
שֹׁסֵיהֶֽםtheir plunderersQal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · שָׁסָה (H8154)Substantival participle, object of preposition מִיַּד→ Participle: characterizing — 'those who plunder them', repeating v. 14's termשָׁסָה (H8154); repeats the term from v. 14, closing the pattern — the very plunderers YHWH gave them to are those from whom he now delivers them.
17
וְגַ֤ם אֶל שֹֽׁפְטֵיהֶם֙ לֹ֣א שָׁמֵ֔עוּ כִּ֣י זָנ֗וּ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם סָ֣רוּ מַהֵ֗ר מִן הַדֶּ֜רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָלְכ֧וּ אֲבוֹתָ֛ם לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ מִצְוֺת יְהוָ֖ה לֹא עָ֥שׂוּ כֵֽן
Yet they would not listen even to their judges, but they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked, obeying the commandments of YHWH; they did not do so.
The verse names the deepest failure of the cycle: even the divinely-raised judges (v. 16) could not secure lasting obedience. The marital metaphor זָנוּ אַחֲרֵי ('whored after') recasts idolatry as covenant infidelity, and סָרוּ מַהֵר ('turned aside quickly') indicts the speed of relapse, measured against the fathers' obedient 'way' (cf. vv. 7, 17).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְגַ֤םyet evenconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating conjunction + adverb (concessive, 'yet even')גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; concessive force here — despite the judges' deliverance, the people still would not listen.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (object of שָׁמֵעוּ, idiom שָׁמַע אֶל)אֶל (H413) 'to'; with שָׁמַע, idiomatic 'listen to'.
שֹֽׁפְטֵיהֶם֙their judgesQal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Object of preposition אֶל→ Participle: characterizing — 'the ones who judge them', repeating v. 16's termשָׁפַט (H8199); repeats the term of v. 16 — even to their own divinely-raised deliverers, Israel would not listen.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁמֵעוּלֹא (H3808); negates the listening — the judges' deliverance did not produce lasting obedience.
שָׁמֵ֔עוּthey listenedQal perf 3cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of fact — persistent refusal, not a momentary lapseשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the same verb of covenant obedience from v. 2, now negated even toward the judges themselves.
כִּ֣יfor/but ratherconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Coordinating/explanatory conjunction (introduces the true character of their disobedience)כִּי (H3588) 'for, that, but'; adversative/explanatory here, introducing the positive description of their apostasy — whoring after other gods.
זָנ֗וּthey whoredQal perf 3cp · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate verb (explanatory clause)→ Perfective: a completed, characteristic pattern of infidelityזָנָה (H2181) 'to be a harlot, commit fornication'; the covenant-marriage metaphor for idolatry — Israel's bond to YHWH cast as a marriage betrayed by chasing other gods.
אַֽחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (object of pursuit, idiom זָנָה אַחֲרֵי)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; idiomatic with זָנָה, 'to whore after' — the standing Judges-period idiom for apostasy (cf. 8:27, 33).
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'.
אֲחֵרִ֔יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'; repeats the standard phrase for forbidden deities.
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּand they bowed downwaw-consec + Hishtaphel wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — repeats v. 12's culminating act of homageשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel 'to bow down, worship'; repeats v. 12 verbatim, underscoring the cycle's recurrence even after deliverance.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object (object of worship)לְ 'to'; marks the foreign gods as recipients of worship.
סָ֣רוּthey turned asideQal perf 3cp · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive departureסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; names the apostasy as a deviation from a defined, known path.
מַהֵ֗רquicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying סָרוּ ('turned aside quickly')→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifies the speed of the turning — the rapidity of Israel's relapseמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; adverbial, 'quickly' — stresses how fast Israel abandoned the way even after deliverance, without extended faithfulness.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source, object of סָרוּ)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the path departed from.
הַדֶּ֜רֶךְthe wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of preposition מִןדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, path'; the way of covenant obedience, defined in the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְ)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the defining clause.
הָלְכ֧וּwalkedQal perf 3cp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, exemplary pattern of the fathers' conductהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; idiomatic of conduct/lifestyle — 'the way their fathers walked' names the ancestral standard of obedience now abandoned.
אֲבוֹתָ֛םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of הָלְכוּאָב (H1) 'father'; the faithful generation of vv. 7-10, now the standard against which the present relapse is measured.
לִשְׁמֹ֥עַto obeyprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Purpose/epexegetical infinitive clause (defining the fathers' way)→ Infinitive construct with purpose/result prep לְ: 'so as to obey' — describes the fathers' way as one of obedienceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; repeats the verb of vv. 2, 17a — the fathers' way was defined by the very obedience the present generation lacks.
מִצְוֺתthe commandments ofN f pl constr · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of לִשְׁמֹעַמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; the body of covenant stipulations the fathers obeyed.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068).
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates עָשׂוּלֹא (H3808); negates the present generation's conformity to the fathers' pattern.
עָ֥שׂוּthey didQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state — a decisive failure to replicate the fathers' obedienceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the negated verb closes the verse — 'they did not do so', flatly denying continuity with the fathers' faithful way.
כֵֽןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of עָשׂוּ (manner, 'thus, so')כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; refers back to the fathers' obedient way — 'they did not do likewise'.
18
וְכִֽי הֵקִ֨ים יְהוָ֥ה לָהֶם֮ שֹֽׁפְטִים֒ וְהָיָ֤ה יְהוָה֙ עִם הַשֹּׁפֵ֔ט וְהֽוֹשִׁיעָם֙ מִיַּ֣ד אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י הַשּׁוֹפֵ֑ט כִּֽי יִנָּחֵ֤ם יְהוָה֙ מִנַּֽאֲקָתָ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֥י לֹחֲצֵיהֶ֖ם וְדֹחֲקֵיהֶֽם
Whenever YHWH raised up judges for them, YHWH was with the judge and saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for YHWH was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and crushed them.
This verse steps back from a single instance to generalize the recurring mechanism (note the iterative weqatal forms וְהָיָה, וְהוֹשִׁיעָם): YHWH's presence with each judge secures deliverance, but only 'all the days of the judge' — a temporal limit exploited in v. 19. The theological center is יִנָּחֵם יְהוָה, 'YHWH was moved to pity' — his compassion, provoked by Israel's groaning (echoing the exodus cry of Exod 2:24), not their merit, is what powers the whole cycle of grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְכִֽיand whenconj וְ + conjunction · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction (introduces the explanatory mechanism clause)כִּי (H3588) 'when, that'; introduces a generalizing description of the pattern just narrated — how the judge-cycle mechanism worked.
הֵקִ֨יםhe raised upHiphil perf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Perfective in a generalizing/iterative sense: 'whenever he raised up' — describes the repeated pattern, not a single eventקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up'; repeats vv. 10, 16's root, now generalized as YHWH's recurring pattern of response.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הֵקִיםיְהוָה (H3068).
לָהֶם֮for themprep + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object (beneficiary of הֵקִים)לְ 'for'; marks Israel as beneficiary of the raised-up judges.
שֹֽׁפְטִים֒judgesQal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Direct object of הֵקִים→ Participle: characterizing — repeats the office-title from v. 16שָׁפַט (H8199); the same substantival participle as v. 16, repeated to generalize the pattern.
וְהָיָ֤הand waswaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal continuing the generalizing/iterative sequence (main clause)→ Weqatal: iterative/habitual — describes what regularly happened during each judge's tenureהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; weqatal here marks habitual, repeated action across each cycle — YHWH's abiding presence with the judge, not a one-time fact.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְהָיָהיְהוָה (H3068).
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; marks YHWH's enabling presence with the judge — the ultimate source of the judge's success.
הַשֹּׁפֵ֔טthe judgeart + Qal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Object of preposition עִם→ Participle: characterizing — the individual judge, singular, representing each cycle's delivererשָׁפַט (H8199); singular substantival participle, 'the judge' — the individual figure of each recurring cycle.
וְהֽוֹשִׁיעָם֙and he saved themwaw-consec + Hiphil weqatal 3ms/3mp suffix · יָשַׁע (H3467)Weqatal continuing the iterative sequence→ Weqatal: iterative/habitual — the judge's saving action recurs with each cycleיָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save'; repeats v. 16's verb, generalized here as the judge's recurring accomplishment throughout his tenure.
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand ofprep מִ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (source, object of deliverance)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; repeats the idiom of v. 16.
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔םtheir enemiesQal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · אֹיֵב (H341)Substantival participle, object of preposition מִיַּד→ Participle: characterizing — repeats the term from v. 14אֹיֵב (H341); as in v. 14, the enduring hostile powers from whom deliverance comes.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing יְמֵי הַשּׁוֹפֵט (temporal, 'all the days of')כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; bounds the deliverance temporally to the judge's own lifetime — a limitation exploited in v. 19.
יְמֵ֣יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain (temporal, genitive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; יְמֵי הַשּׁוֹפֵט, the temporal boundary of relief — deliverance lasts only as long as the judge lives.
הַשּׁוֹפֵ֑טthe judgeart + Qal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Genitive (construct chain)→ Participle: characterizing — repeats the office titleשָׁפַט (H8199); repeats the term, bounding the deliverance's duration to this one figure's life.
כִּֽיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introduces the theological ground of the whole pattern)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the theological explanation — divine compassion, not merit, underlies the deliverance.
יִנָּחֵ֤םwas moved to pityNiphal impf 3ms · נָחַם (H5162)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Niphal yiqtol expressing repeated divine relenting/compassion — YHWH's emotional response recurs with each cycle's groaningנָחַם (H5162) Niphal 'to be sorry, relent, be moved to compassion'; the same root behind God's 'repenting' language elsewhere (Gen 6:6; Exod 32:14) — here divine pity moved by Israel's suffering, the emotional engine beneath the whole cycle of grace.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יִנָּחֵםיְהוָה (H3068).
מִנַּֽאֲקָתָ֔םbecause of their groaningprep מִ + N f sg constr/3mp suffix · נְאָקָה (H5009)Prepositional phrase (causal, ground of YHWH's relenting)נְאָקָה (H5009) 'groaning'; a rare term (cf. Exod 2:24, Israel's groaning in Egypt) — deliberately recalls the exodus cry, casting each judges-era rescue as a re-enactment of the founding redemption.
מִפְּנֵ֥יon account ofprep מִ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (causal, parallel to מִנַּאֲקָתָם)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic מִפְּנֵי, 'because of, from before' — introduces the human agents of Israel's suffering.
לֹחֲצֵיהֶ֖םtheir oppressorsQal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · לָחַץ (H3905)Object of preposition מִפְּנֵי→ Participle: characterizing — 'those who oppress them'לָחַץ (H3905) 'to press, oppress'; substantival participle naming the oppressing enemies whose pressure produces the groaning.
וְדֹחֲקֵיהֶֽםand their crushersconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix (substantival) · דָּחַק (H1766)Coordinated object of preposition מִפְּנֵי→ Participle: characterizing — near-synonym intensifying לֹחֲצֵיהֶםדָּחַק (H1766) 'to press, crowd, oppress'; near-synonymous doubling with לֹחֲצֵיהֶם intensifies the picture of relentless pressure that moves YHWH to compassion.
19
וְהָיָ֣ה בְּמ֣וֹת הַשּׁוֹפֵ֗ט יָשֻׁ֨בוּ֙ וְהִשְׁחִ֣יתוּ מֵֽאֲבוֹתָ֔ם לָלֶ֗כֶת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים לְעָבְדָ֖ם וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת לָהֶ֑ם לֹ֤א הִפִּ֨ילוּ֙ מִמַּ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם וּמִדַּרְכָּ֖ם הַקָּשָֽׁה
And whenever the judge died, they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn way.
This is the paradigm's centerpiece: the iterative construction (וְהָיָה...יָשֻׁבוּ) frames apostasy not as static repetition but as intensifying moral decline — 'more corruptly than their fathers' (שָׁחַת, the pre-flood corruption word of Gen 6). The closing image, 'they did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn way', seals the verse with total, willful tenacity in evil, explaining why the cycle only worsens rather than resolves.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהָיָ֣הand it happenedwaw-consec + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal continuing the iterative sequence (temporal frame, 'and whenever...')→ Weqatal: iterative/habitual — the pattern recurs at the death of every judgeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; introduces the recurring temporal condition — 'and it would happen at the death of the judge'.
בְּמ֣וֹתat the death ofprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · מוּת (H4191)Temporal infinitive clause (subject clause of וְהָיָה)→ Infinitive construct with temporal prep בְּ: 'at/when he died'מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; temporal infinitive, marking the recurring moment of relapse.
הַשּׁוֹפֵ֗טthe judgeart + Qal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Subject of the infinitive בְּמוֹת→ Participle: characterizing — repeats the office titleשָׁפַט (H8199); repeats the term — the judge whose death removes the restraining presence of v. 18.
יָשֻׁ֨בוּ֙they would turn backQal impf 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, iterative)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitual — a repeated pattern following each judge's deathשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; here of relapse into apostasy, an ironic inversion of the returning-to-YHWH pattern elsewhere in the book.
וְהִשְׁחִ֣יתוּand acted more corruptlywaw-consec + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · שָׁחַת (H7843)Weqatal continuing the iterative sequence→ Weqatal: iterative/habitual — the corruption compounds with each cycleשָׁחַת (H7843) Hiphil 'to corrupt, destroy, act corruptly'; the same root as the pre-flood corruption of Gen 6:11-12 — each generation's apostasy is framed as intensifying moral ruin, not static repetition.
מֵֽאֲבוֹתָ֔םthan their fathersprep מִ + N m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Comparative prepositional phrase (object of comparison with הִשְׁחִיתוּ)אָב (H1) 'father'; comparative מִן — 'more corruptly than their fathers', the downward ratchet across generations that is this verse's centerpiece.
לָלֶ֗כֶתby goingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Epexegetical infinitive clause (explains the manner of the corruption)→ Infinitive construct explaining the corruption's manner: 'by going after other gods'הָלַךְ (here cited H3212) 'to go'; idiomatic הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי, repeating the standard apostasy idiom of v. 12.
אַֽחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (object of pursuit)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; idiomatic with הָלַךְ.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'.
אֲחֵרִ֔יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'.
לְעָבְדָ֖םto serve themprep לְ + Qal inf constr/3mp suffix · עָבַד (H5647)Coordinated purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose prep לְ: 'to serve them' — the recurring verb of misdirected worshipעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; repeats the verb from vv. 11, 13, now with 3mp suffix pointing to the foreign gods.
וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣תand to bow downconj וְ + prep לְ + Hishtaphel inf constr · שָׁחָה (H7812)Coordinated purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct with purpose prep לְ: 'and to bow down' — completes the pair of misdirected-worship verbsשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel 'to bow down, worship'; repeats vv. 12, 17's culminating act of homage.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object (object of both infinitives)לְ 'to'; marks the foreign gods as recipients.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הִפִּילוּלֹא (H3808); negates the dropping/abandoning — total tenacity in wrongdoing.
הִפִּ֨ילוּ֙they let dropHiphil perf 3cp · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed state of fact — total, unrelenting persistence in wrongdoingנָפַל (H5307) Hiphil 'to cause to fall, drop, let go'; negated idiom, 'they did not let drop/abandon anything' — an image of tenacious grip on their evil practices.
מִמַּ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔םfrom their practicesprep מִ + N m pl constr/3mp suffix · מַעֲלָל (H4611)Prepositional phrase (partitive, object of הִפִּילוּ)מַעֲלָל (H4611) 'deed, practice', often pejorative; the ingrained pattern of wrongdoing Israel refuses to relinquish.
וּמִדַּרְכָּ֖םand from their wayconj וְ + prep מִ + N c sg constr/3mp suffix · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Coordinated prepositional phrase (partitive, second object of הִפִּילוּ)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way'; contrasted with the fathers' obedient 'way' of v. 17 — this way is stubborn and hard.
הַקָּשָֽׁהthe stubbornart + adj f sg abs · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Attributive adjective modifying דַּרְכָּםקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, stubborn, obstinate'; describes Israel's habitual way as willfully hardened — the verse's final, damning characterization.
20
וַיִּֽחַר אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֗אמֶר יַעַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָבְר֜וּ הַגּ֣וֹי הַזֶּ֗ה אֶת בְּרִיתִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּ֣יתִי אֶת אֲבוֹתָ֔ם וְלֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ לְקוֹלִֽי
And the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he said, 'Because this nation has transgressed my covenant that I commanded their fathers and has not listened to my voice,
The verse reopens divine speech with the same anger-formula as v. 14, marking the transition from the paradigm's general description (vv. 11-19) to a specific verdict (vv. 20-22). יַעַן אֲשֶׁר ('because') introduces formal covenant-lawsuit language: Israel — pointedly called הַגּוֹי הַזֶּה, 'this nation' — stands charged with transgressing the covenant and refusing to obey, the twin grounds for the judgment announced in v. 21.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּֽחַרand it burnedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause; idiom of anger, resumes narrative time)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the verdict section opens with renewed divine angerחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; repeats v. 14's idiom, marking the transition from the paradigm's general description back to a specific divine verdict.
אַ֥ףthe anger ofN common sg abs · אַף (H639)Subject of וַיִּחַראַף (H639) 'nose; anger'; subject of the idiom, as in v. 14.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068).
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לagainst Israelprep בְּ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Prepositional phrase (object of the anger)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introduces the verdict speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces YHWH's pronounced sentence, vv. 20-22אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's verdict explaining the withheld dispossession that follows through v. 22.
יַעַן֩becausecausal conjunction · יַעַן (H3282)Causal conjunction (introduces the grounds of the verdict)יַעַן (H3282) 'because, on account of'; formal causal particle introducing the legal/covenantal rationale for judgment.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (completes the causal idiom יַעַן אֲשֶׁר, 'because')אֲשֶׁר (H834); with יַעַן forms the standard causal conjunction 'because'.
עָבְר֜וּtransgressedQal perf 3cp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of transgression grounding the verdictעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, transgress'; idiomatic עָבַר בְּרִית, 'to transgress/violate a covenant' — the legal ground of the judgment that follows.
הַגּ֣וֹיthe nationart + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Subject of עָבְרוּגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; a term more commonly applied to foreign peoples, here pointedly applied to Israel itself as a transgressing nation.
הַזֶּ֗הthisart + demonstr pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיזֶה (H2088) 'this'; 'this nation' — a distancing, almost third-person legal designation for Israel in the indictment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of עָבְרוּ)אֵת (H853), marking בְּרִיתִי as the definite object transgressed.
בְּרִיתִי֙my covenantN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of עָבְרוּבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; YHWH's own covenant, now formally declared transgressed — recalling the unbreakable pledge of v. 1, now violated from Israel's side.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying בְּרִיתִי)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the qualifying clause on the covenant.
צִוִּ֣יתִיI commandedPiel perf 1cs · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; YHWH's own authoritative charge to the fathers, now disregarded by the present generation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of צִוִּיתִי)אֵת (H853), marking אֲבוֹתָם as the definite object commanded.
אֲבוֹתָ֔םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of צִוִּיתִיאָב (H1) 'father'; the generation originally charged with covenant obedience.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁמְעוּלֹא (H3808); negates the listening — final confirmation of the charge.
שָׁמְע֖וּthey listenedQal perf 3cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, second charge)→ Perfective: a completed state of fact — total disregard for the commandשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; repeats the verb of vv. 2, 17, 20 — the recurring diagnosis of Israel's failure across the whole chapter.
לְקוֹלִֽיmy voiceprep לְ + N m sg constr/1cs suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of preposition (idiom שָׁמַע לְקוֹל, 'obey')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; idiomatic 'my voice' closing the verdict with YHWH's own first-person indictment, echoing v. 2's language.
21
גַּם אֲנִי֙ לֹ֣א אוֹסִ֔יף לְהוֹרִ֥ישׁ אִ֖ישׁ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם מִן הַגּוֹיִ֛ם אֲשֶׁר עָזַ֥ב יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ וַיָּמֹֽת
I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died,
The emphatic fronted אֲנִי ('I') pairs YHWH's decisive resolve with Israel's transgression just charged (v. 20). The verb יָרַשׁ ('dispossess'), the very promise of v. 6 and the concern of vv. 1-3, is now formally, permanently withheld — the remaining nations, fixed at the scope they held at Joshua's death, become the concrete instrument of judgment developed in v. 22.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
גַּםalsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial (emphatic, 'I too/I also')גַּם (H1571) 'also'; emphatic, pairing YHWH's response with Israel's own transgression — 'I too/on my part'.
אֲנִי֙Iindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of אוֹסִיף (emphatic, fronted)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic independent pronoun, stressing YHWH's own deliberate decision as the direct counterpart to Israel's transgression (v. 20).
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אוֹסִיףלֹא (H3808); negates the continuing/adding — 'I will no longer'.
אוֹסִ֔יףI will continueHiphil impf 1cs · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause, quoted divine pronouncement)→ Yiqtol: volitional/future, negated — 'I will no longer continue to' — a decisive resolveיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, continue'; idiomatic negated + infinitive, 'I will no longer [do X]' — hardens the earlier partial withholding of v. 3 into a firm, final decision.
לְהוֹרִ֥ישׁto dispossessprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Complementary infinitive (object of אוֹסִיף)→ Infinitive construct completing אוֹסִיף: 'to dispossess' — the specific withheld actionיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; repeats the root of v. 6 (לָרֶשֶׁת), now the very action withheld — the conquest formally halted.
אִ֖ישׁanyN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of לְהוֹרִישׁ (distributive, 'anyone')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive, 'anyone/any single one' — total scope of the withheld dispossession.
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑םfrom before themprep מִ + N c pl constr/3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (source/separation, object of dispossession)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic מִפְּנֵי, 'from before' — Israel as the party from whose presence the nations would have been driven.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (partitive, source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the specific referent group — the nations left at Joshua's death.
הַגּוֹיִ֛םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Object of preposition מִןגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the remaining Canaanite peoples, contrasted with 'this nation' (Israel) of v. 20.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying הַגּוֹיִם)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the temporal qualifier fixing the scope of the withheld dispossession.
עָזַ֥בleftQal perf 3ms · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — the nations remaining as of a fixed historical pointעָזַב (H5800) 'to leave, abandon'; here of Joshua leaving the nations unconquered at his death (a neutral sense), the same root used of Israel's forsaking YHWH in v. 12.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of עָזַביְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the conquest leader whose death (vv. 8-9) marks the boundary of the remaining nations' scope.
וַיָּמֹֽתand he diedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal anchor)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — fixes the historical moment referencedמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; repeats v. 8's notice, anchoring the scope of remaining nations precisely to the moment of Joshua's death.
22
לְמַ֛עַן נַסּ֥וֹת בָּ֖ם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הֲשֹׁמְרִ֣ים הֵם֩ אֶת דֶּ֨רֶךְ יְהוָ֜ה לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר שָׁמְר֥וּ אֲבוֹתָ֖ם אִם לֹֽא
In order to test Israel by them, whether they would keep the way of YHWH, walking in it as their fathers kept it, or not.
This verse supplies one of the book's several rationales for the unconquered nations (cf. 3:1-2, 3:4): not merely residual failure but a deliberate divine test (נִסָּה, the verb of Abraham's trial in Gen 22:1), open-endedly framed by the disjunctive אִם לֹא, 'or not.' The fathers' obedience (שָׁמְרוּ) again sets the standard against which the present and future generations are measured.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לְמַ֛עַןin order toprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction (introduces the purpose of the withheld dispossession)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the theological purpose that reframes the remaining nations as a test rather than mere punishment.
נַסּ֥וֹתto testPiel inf constr · נִסָּה (H5254)Purpose infinitive clause (object of לְמַעַן)→ Infinitive construct with purpose prep לְמַעַן: 'in order to test' — states the divine intent behind the withheld dispossessionנִסָּה (H5254) Piel 'to test, try'; the same verb used of Abraham's testing (Gen 22:1) — the remaining nations become an ongoing trial of covenant loyalty, not merely a residual failure.
בָּ֖םby themprep + 3mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (instrument of the testing)בְּ 'by, through'; the nations themselves are the instrument/means of the test.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of נַסּוֹת)אֵת (H853), marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite object being tested.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of נַסּוֹתיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation under ongoing divine examination through the remaining peoples.
הֲשֹׁמְרִ֣יםwhether they will keepinterrog הֲ + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Substantival participle, predicate of the interrogative content clause defining the test→ Participle with interrogative הֲ: 'whether keeping' — states the substance of the test as an open questionשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the interrogative participle frames the test's content — will Israel keep YHWH's way or not.
הֵם֩theyindependent pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the participial clause (resumptive/emphatic)הֵם (H1992) 'they'; resumes/emphasizes the subject of the participial predicate.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of הֲשֹׁמְרִים)אֵת (H853), marking דֶּרֶךְ יְהוָה as the definite object kept/observed.
דֶּ֨רֶךְthe way ofN c sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Direct object of הֲשֹׁמְרִיםדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way'; repeats the term of vv. 17, 19 — YHWH's way versus the fathers'/present generation's way.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068).
לָלֶ֣כֶתto walkprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Epexegetical infinitive clause (defines the manner of keeping the way)→ Infinitive construct explaining the manner: 'to walk in it' — repeats the conduct-idiom of v. 17הָלַךְ (here cited H3212) 'to go, walk'; idiomatic of conduct, as in v. 17's 'the way their fathers walked'.
בָּ֗םin itprep + 3mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (locative, referring to the way)בְּ 'in'; refers back to דֶּרֶךְ, 'to walk in it'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction (introduces standard of comparison)כַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; sets the fathers' obedience as the measuring standard for the ongoing test.
שָׁמְר֥וּkeptQal perf 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, exemplary patternשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep'; repeats the verb of the test itself (הֲשֹׁמְרִים), now applied to the fathers as the positive precedent.
אֲבוֹתָ֖םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of שָׁמְרוּאָב (H1) 'father'; the standard of comparison, as throughout the chapter (vv. 12, 17, 19, 20).
אִםorconjunction · אִם (H518)Disjunctive conjunction (introduces the negative alternative of the test)אִם (H518) 'if'; disjunctive with the negative that follows, 'or not' — completing the open, two-sided nature of the test.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Completes the disjunctive clause אִם לֹא, 'or not'לֹא (H3808); closes the verse on the genuinely open verdict of the test — the outcome is not predetermined in the text itself, though later chapters answer it.
23
וַיַּנַּ֤ח יְהוָה֙ אֶת הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה לְבִלְתִּ֥י הוֹרִישָׁ֖ם מַהֵ֑ר וְלֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖ם בְּיַד יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ
So YHWH left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
The chapter closes with narrative confirmation that YHWH did as declared: the nations were deliberately left (נוּחַ), not driven out quickly (an ironic echo of v. 17's מַהֵר, Israel's own swift apostasy), and never given into Joshua's hand at all — closing the frame opened by the Joshua retrospect of vv. 6-9 and setting the stage for the individual judges narratives that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיַּנַּ֤חand he leftwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נוּחַ (H3240)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, closes the chapter)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the concluding narrative confirmation of the verdict just pronouncedנוּחַ (H3240) Hiphil 'to leave, let rest, allow to remain'; the narrator's concluding confirmation that YHWH did as declared in vv. 20-22.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיַּנַּחיְהוָה (H3068).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּנַּח)אֵת (H853), marking הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה as the definite object left in place.
הַגּוֹיִ֣םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of וַיַּנַּחגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the same remaining Canaanite peoples of v. 21.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיִםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the particular nations just named as the scope of the withheld dispossession.
לְבִלְתִּ֥יso as notprep לְ + negative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose/result infinitive marker (governs הוֹרִישָׁם)בִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, except'; with לְ + infinitive, negative purpose, 'so as not to' — grammatically marks the deliberate non-dispossession.
הוֹרִישָׁ֖םdispossessing themHiphil inf constr/3mp suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Negative infinitive clause (object of לְבִלְתִּי)→ Infinitive construct negated by לְבִלְתִּי: 'so as not to dispossess them' — states the deliberate withholding of conquestיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess'; repeats the root of vv. 6, 21 — the very action programmatically withheld, now narrated as accomplished fact.
מַהֵ֑רquicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying הוֹרִישָׁם ('dispossessing them quickly')→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: 'quickly' — negates the earlier hoped-for speed of conquestמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry'; adverbial, echoing v. 17's מַהֵר (Israel's quick apostasy) with an ironic reversal — dispossession, unlike apostasy, will NOT happen quickly.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נְתָנָםלֹא (H3808); negates the second verb, reinforcing the withholding.
נְתָנָ֖םhe gave themQal perf 3ms/3mp suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective, negated: a completed state of fact — the giving into Joshua's hand did not occurנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatic נָתַן בְּיַד, 'to give into the hand of' — here of military control, deliberately withheld from Joshua's own generation as well.
בְּיַדinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (idiom נָתַן בְּיַד)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; repeats the idiom of vv. 14, 18, now framing Joshua himself as never having received full control of the remaining nations.
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition בְּיַדיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the chapter closes as it began its retrospect (vv. 6-9), on Joshua's name — even he never received these nations into his hand.