Judges Chapter 6 · Verse 8
That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 22
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֣ה׀
That the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה׀
That the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִ֥ישׁ
a prophet
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
a prophet
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
unto the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֣ה׀
That the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה׀
That the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 22
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הֶֽעֱלֵ֤יתִי
I brought you up
H5927
הֶֽעֱלֵ֤יתִי
I brought you up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
16 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וָֽאֹצִ֥יא
and brought you forth
H3318
וָֽאֹצִ֥יא
and brought you forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
19 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
This prophetic speech follows ancient Near Eastern treaty patterns where suzerains would list their beneficial acts toward vassals before declaring treaty violations. The Hittite suzerainty treaties (14th-13th centuries BCE) particularly demonstrate this structure. God's covenant with Israel follows similar form but with crucial differences: God's faithfulness is absolute, and His demands flow from grace rather than mere political expedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How should remembering God's past saving acts affect our response to His current commands?
- In what ways do you minimize God's historical faithfulness when justifying present disobedience?
- How does understanding salvation history (from Egypt to Canaan) parallel the Christian's salvation journey from sin to sanctification?
Analysis & Commentary
The prophet recounts God's historical interventions: bringing Israel from Egypt, delivering from bondage, driving out enemies, and giving them the land. The comprehensive scope—'all that oppressed you'—emphasizes God's total faithfulness. The verb 'drove them out' (agaresh, אֲגָרֵשׁ) uses the same word as the original conquest promises (Exodus 23:28-31), highlighting continuity between God's past and promised future actions. This recital serves as covenant lawsuit preamble—establishing the suzerain's beneficence before charging the vassal with treaty violation.