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Judges 3:1

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them ([that is], all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan;
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, [even] as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— Now these are the nations which Jehovah left, to prove Israel by them, even as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, ([even] as many [of Israel] as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And these are the nations that Jehovah left, to prove Israel by them, all that had not known all the wars of Canaan;
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Now, these, are the nations which Yahweh left, that he might, by them, put Israel to the proof,—all who had not known any of the wars of Canaan;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And these [are] the nations which Jehovah left, to try Israel by them, all who have not known all the wars of Canaan;
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— These are the nations which the Lord left, that by them he might instruct Israel, and all that had not known the wars of the Chanaanites:
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— These nowe are the nations which the Lorde left, that he might proue Israel by them (euen as many of Israel as had not knowen all the warres of Canaan,
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prooue Israel by them, (euen as many of Israel as had not knowen all the warres of Canaan;
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— NOW these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them, even the Israelites who had not experienced all the wars of Canaan.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— And these [are] the nations which the Lord left to prove Israel with them, all that had not known the wars of Canaan{gr.Chanaan}.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— Now these [are] the nations which Yahweh left, to prove Yisrael by them, [even] as many [of Yisrael] as had not known all the wars of Kenaan;

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
Now these x428
(0428) Complement
אֵלֶּה
'el-leh
{ale'-leh}
Prolonged from H0411; these or those.
[are] the nations 1471
{1471} Prime
גּוֹי
gowy
{go'-ee}
Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.
which x834
(0834) Complement
אֲשֶׁר
'asher
{ash-er'}
A primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as adverb and conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
Yähwè יָהוֶה 3068
{3068} Prime
יְהֹוָה
Y@hovah
{yeh-ho-vaw'}
From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.
left, y3240
[3240] Standard
יָנַח
yanach
{yaw-nakh'}
A primitive root; to deposit; by implication to allow to stay. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to H5117, and the others here).
z8689
<8689> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 2675
x5117
(5117) Complement
נוּחַ
nuwach
{noo'-akh}
A primitive root; to rest, that is, settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, intransitively, transitively and causatively (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.).
to prove 5254
{5254} Prime
נָסַה
nacah
{naw-saw'}
A primitive root; to test; by implication to attempt.
z8763
<8763> Grammar
Stem - Piel (See H8840)
Mood - Infinitive (See H8812)
Count - 790
x853
(0853) Complement
אֵת
'eth
{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
Yiŝrä´ël יִשׂרָאֵל 3478
{3478} Prime
יִשְׂרָאֵל
Yisra'el
{yis-raw-ale'}
From H8280 and H0410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity.
by them, [even] x853
(0853) Complement
אֵת
'eth
{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
as many x3605
(3605) Complement
כֹּל
kol
{kole}
From H3634; properly the whole; hence all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense).
x834
(0834) Complement
אֲשֶׁר
'asher
{ash-er'}
A primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as adverb and conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
[of Yiŝrä´ël יִשׂרָאֵל] as had not x3808
(3808) Complement
לֹא
lo'
{lo}
lo; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abstract negation); by implication no; often used with other particles.
known 3045
{3045} Prime
ידע
yada`
{yaw-dah'}
A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively instruction, designation, punishment, etc.).
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
x853
(0853) Complement
אֵת
'eth
{ayth}
Apparently contracted from H0226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely).
all x3605
(3605) Complement
כֹּל
kol
{kole}
From H3634; properly the whole; hence all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense).
the wars 4421
{4421} Prime
מִלְחָמָה
milchamah
{mil-khaw-maw'}
From H3898 (in the sense of fighting); a battle (that is, the engagement); generally war (that is, warfare).
of Cænä`an כְּנָעַן; 3667
{3667} Prime
כְּנַעַן
K@na`an
{ken-ah'-an}
From H3665; humiliated; Kenaan, a son of Ham; also the country inhabited by him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Judges 3:1

_ _ Judges 3:1-4. Nations left to prove Israel.

_ _ these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel — This was the special design of these nations being left, and it evinces the direct influence of the theocracy under which the Israelites were placed. These nations were left for a double purpose: in the first instance, to be instrumental, by their inroads, in promoting the moral and spiritual discipline of the Israelites; and also to subserve the design of making them acquainted with war, in order that the young, more especially, who were total strangers to it, might learn the use of weapons and the art of wielding them.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Judges 3:1-7

_ _ We are here told what remained of the old inhabitants of Canaan. 1. There were some of them that kept together in united bodies, unbroken (Judges 3:3): The five lords of the Philistines, namely, Ashdod, Gaza, Askelon, Gath, and Ekron, 1 Samuel 6:17. Three of these cities had been in part reduced (Judges 1:18), but it seems the Philistines (probably with the help of the other two, which strengthened their confederacy with each other thenceforward) recovered the possession of them. These gave the greatest disturbance to Israel of any of the natives, especially in the latter times of the judges, and they were never quite reduced until David's time. There was a particular nation called Canaanites, that kept their ground with the Sidonians, upon the coast of the great sea. And in the north the Hivites held much of Mount Lebanon, it being a remote corner, in which perhaps they were supported by some of the neighbouring states. But, besides these, 2. There were every where in all parts of the country some scatterings of the nations (Judges 3:5), Hittites, Amorites, etc., which, by Israel's foolish connivance and indulgence, were so many, so easy, and so insolent, that the children of Israel are said to dwell among them, as if the right had still remained in the Canaanites, and the Israelites had been taken in by their permission and only as tenants at will.

_ _ Now concerning these remnants of the natives observe,

_ _ I. How wisely God permitted them to remain. It is mentioned in the close of the foregoing chapter as an act of God's justice, that he let them remain for Israel's correction. But here another construction is put upon it, and it appears to have been an act of God's wisdom, that he let them remain for Israel's real advantage, that those who had not known the wars of Canaan might learn war, Judges 3:1, Judges 3:2. It was the will of God that the people of Israel should be inured to war, 1. Because their country was exceedingly rich and fruitful, and abounded with dainties of all sorts, which, if they were not sometimes made to know hardship, would be in danger of sinking them into the utmost degree of luxury and effeminacy. They must sometimes wade in blood, and not always in milk and honey, lest even their men of war, by the long disuse of arms, should become as soft and as nice as the tender and delicate woman, that would not set so much as the sole of her foot to the ground for tenderness and delicacy, a temper as destructive to every thing that is good as it is to every thing that is great, and therefore to be carefully watched against by all God's Israel. 2. Because their country lay very much in the midst of enemies, by whom they must expect to be insulted; for God's heritage was a speckled bird; the birds round about were against her, Jeremiah 12:9. It was therefore necessary they should be well disciplined, that they might defend their coasts when invaded, and might hereafter enlarge their coast as God had promised them. The art of war is best learnt by experience, which not only acquaints men with martial discipline, but (which is no less necessary) inspires them with a martial disposition. It was for the interest of Israel to breed soldiers, as it is the interest of an island to breed sea-men, and therefore God left Canaanites among them, that, by the less difficulties and hardships they met with in encountering them, they might be prepared for greater, and, by running with the footmen, might learn to contend with horses, Jeremiah 12:5. Israel was a figure of the church militant, that must fight its way to a triumphant state. The soldiers of Christ must endure hardness, 2 Timothy 2:3. Corruption is therefore left remaining in the hearts even of good Christians, that they may learn war, may keep on the whole armour of God, and stand continually upon their guard. The learned bishop Patrick offers another sense of Judges 3:2 : That they might know to teach them war, that is, they shall know what it is to be left to themselves. Their fathers fought by a divine power. God taught their hands to war and their fingers to fight; but now that they have forfeited his favour let them learn what it is to fight like other men.

_ _ II. How wickedly Israel mingled themselves with those that did remain. One thing God intended in leaving them among them was to prove Israel (Judges 3:4), that those who were faithful to the God of Israel might have the honour of resisting the Canaanites' allurements to idolatry, and that those who were false and insincere might be discovered, and might fall under the shame of yielding to those allurements. Thus in the Christian churches there must needs be heresies, that those who are perfect may be made manifest, 1 Corinthians 11:19. Israel, upon trial, proved bad. 1. They joined in marriage with the Canaanites (Judges 3:6), though they could not advance either their honour or their estate by marrying with them. They would mar their blood instead of mending it, and sink their estates instead of raising them, by such marriages. 2. Thus they were brought to join in worship with them; they served their gods (Judges 3:6), Baalim and the groves (Judges 3:7), that is, the images that were worshipped in groves of thick trees, which were a sort of natural temples. In such unequal matches there is more reason to fear that the bad will corrupt the good than to hope that the good will reform the bad, as there is in laying two pears together, the one rotten and the other sound. When they inclined to worship other gods they forgot the Lord their God. In complaisance to their new relations, they talked of nothing by Baalim and the groves, so that by degrees they lost the remembrance of the true God, and forgot there was such a Being, and what obligations they lay under to him. In nothing is the corrupt memory of man more treacherous than in this, that it is apt to forget God; because out of sight, he is out of mind; and here begins all the wickedness that is in the world: they have perverted their way, for they have forgotten the Lord their God.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Judges 3:1

Had not known — That is, such as had no experience of those wars, nor of God's extraordinary power and providence manifested in them.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Judges 3:1

Now these [are] the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, [even] as many [of Israel] as had not known all the (a) wars of Canaan;

(a) Which were achieved by the hand of God, and not by the power of man.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
am 2561, bc 1443, An, Ex, Is, 48

the nations:

Judges 2:21-22 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: ... That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep [it], or not.
Deuteronomy 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

prove:

Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Deuteronomy 8:16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
2 Chronicles 32:31 Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was [done] in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all [that was] in his heart.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
Jeremiah 6:27 I have set thee [for] a tower [and] a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? ... I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.
Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.
John 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

as had not:

Judges 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Dt 7:22; 8:2, 16. Jg 2:10, 21. 2Ch 32:31. Jb 23:10. Pv 17:3. Jr 6:27; 17:9. Zc 13:9. Jn 2:24. 1P 1:7; 4:12. Rv 2:23.

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