Judges Chapter 6 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

Original Language Analysis

וָֽאֹמְרָ֣ה And I said H559
וָֽאֹמְרָ֣ה And I said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
לָכֶ֗ם H0
לָכֶ֗ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 17
אֲנִי֙ H589
אֲנִי֙
Strong's: H589
Word #: 3 of 17
i
יְהוָ֣ה unto you I am the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה unto you I am the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י not the gods H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י not the gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִֽירְאוּ֙ fear H3372
תִֽירְאוּ֙ fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 7 of 17
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י not the gods H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י not the gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י of the Amorites H567
הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י of the Amorites
Strong's: H567
Word #: 10 of 17
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אַתֶּ֖ם H859
אַתֶּ֖ם
Strong's: H859
Word #: 12 of 17
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
יֽוֹשְׁבִ֣ים ye dwell H3427
יֽוֹשְׁבִ֣ים ye dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 13 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּאַרְצָ֑ם in whose land H776
בְּאַרְצָ֑ם in whose land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 14 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם but ye have not obeyed H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם but ye have not obeyed
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 16 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּקוֹלִֽי׃ my voice H6963
בְּקוֹלִֽי׃ my voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 17 of 17
a voice or sound

Analysis & Commentary

The prophetic indictment climaxes: 'I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites.' The command combines positive and negative: worship Yahweh exclusively (first commandment) and refuse all idolatry (second commandment). The name Yahweh (Yahweh Eloheikhem, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, 'the LORD your God') emphasizes covenant relationship. The prohibition against fearing Amorite gods uses tira'u (תִּירָאוּ, 'fear/revere'), the same verb for worship-fear of Yahweh. The tragic verdict: 'but ye have not obeyed my voice' (velo shema'tem bekoli, וְלֹא שְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹלִי). The verb shema (שָׁמַע) means both 'hear' and 'obey'—true hearing produces obedience.

Historical Context

Amorite gods included Baal (storm/fertility), Asherah (mother goddess), Molech (associated with child sacrifice), and various local deities. Archaeological discoveries at Canaanite religious sites reveal the syncretistic pressures Israel faced—attractive fertility cults promising agricultural bounty through ritual prostitution and seasonal festivals. The prophetic word identifies Israel's oppression as direct consequence of covenant violation, following Deuteronomy 28's covenant curses.

Questions for Reflection