Judges 2:15

Authorized King James Version

Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

Word-by-Word Analysis

בְּכֹ֣ל׀

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָֽצְא֗וּ

H3318

Whithersoever they went out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יַד

H3027

the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

and as the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הָֽיְתָה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָּ֣ם

לְרָעָ֔ה

H7451

was against them for evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#10

דִּבֶּ֣ר

H1696

had said

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#11

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

and as the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#12

וְכַֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#13

נִשְׁבַּ֥ע

H7650

had sworn

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

#14

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

and as the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

לָהֶ֑ם

#16

וַיֵּ֥צֶר

H3334

distressed

to press (intransitive), i.e., be narrow; figuratively, be in distress

#17

לָהֶ֖ם

#18

מְאֹֽד׃

H3966

unto them and they were greatly

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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