Judges 2:1-5
New English Translation
Confrontation and Repentance at Bokim
2 The angel of the Lord[a] went up from Gilgal to Bokim. He said, “I brought you up from Egypt and led you into the land I had solemnly promised to give to your ancestors.[b] I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, 2 but you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You should tear down the altars where they worship.’[c] But you have disobeyed me.[d] Why would you do such a thing?[e] 3 At that time I also warned you,[f] ‘If you disobey,[g] I will not drive out the Canaanites[h] before you. They will ensnare you[i] and their gods will lure you away.’”[j]
4 When the angel of the Lord finished speaking these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly.[k] 5 They named that place Bokim[l] and offered sacrifices to the Lord there.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Judges 2:1 sn See Exod 14:19; 23:20.
- Judges 2:1 tn Heb “the land that I had sworn to your fathers.”
- Judges 2:2 tn Heb “their altars.”
- Judges 2:2 tn Heb “you have not listened to my voice.”
- Judges 2:2 tn Heb “What is this you have done?”
- Judges 2:3 tn Heb “And I also said.” The use of the perfect tense here suggests that the messenger is recalling an earlier statement (see Josh 23:12-13). However, some translate, “And I also say,” understanding the following words as an announcement of judgment upon those gathered at Bokim.
- Judges 2:3 tn The words “If you disobey” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See Josh 23:12-13.
- Judges 2:3 tn Heb “them”; the referent (the Canaanites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Judges 2:3 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צִדִּים (tsiddim) is uncertain in this context. It may be related to an Akkadian cognate meaning “snare.” If so, a more literal translation would be “they will become snares to you.” Normally the term in question means “sides,” but this makes no sense here. On the basis of Num 33:55 some suggest the word for “thorns” has been accidentally omitted. If this word is added, the text would read, “they will become [thorns] in your sides” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).
- Judges 2:3 tn Heb “their gods will become a snare to you.”
- Judges 2:4 tn Heb “lifted their voices and wept.”
- Judges 2:5 sn Bokim means “weeping ones” and is derived from the Hebrew verb בָּכָא (bakhaʾ, “to weep”).
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.