What does Judges 11:16 mean?
"But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;" - Judges 11:16

Judges 11:16 - "But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;"
Judges 11:16 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh."
This verse is part of the story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel who is known for his rash vow to sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house if he is victorious in battle. The verse is spoken by Jephthah as he recounts the history of Israel to the king of Ammon to establish Israel's rightful claim to the land.
To understand the full meaning and significance of this verse, it is important to consider the context in which it is set. The book of Judges takes place during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, after they have settled in the Promised Land but before the establishment of a monarchy. The Israelites are constantly being oppressed by foreign nations and are in need of strong leaders, known as judges, to deliver them from their enemies.
Jephthah, though a valiant warrior, comes from humble beginnings. He is the son of a prostitute and is initially rejected by his half-brothers. However, when the Ammonites threaten to take over Israelite territory, the elders of Gilead approach Jephthah to lead them in battle. Jephthah agrees on the condition that he will become their leader if he emerges victorious.
In the verse preceding Judges 11:16, Jephthah recounts the history of Israel and emphasizes their rightful possession of the land. He mentions their exodus from Egypt, their journey through the wilderness, and their arrival at Kadesh. This is significant because it highlights the faithfulness and sovereignty of God in leading and preserving His people throughout their history.
The exodus from Egypt, which is mentioned in the verse, is a foundational event in the history of Israel. It was during this time that God delivered the Israelites from slavery and established a covenant with them as His chosen people. The wilderness journey, often characterized by hardships and testing, served as a time of purification and preparation for the Promised Land. Kadesh, the final destination mentioned in the verse, was an important site in the wilderness where significant events took place, including the sending of the twelve spies into the land of Canaan.
In recounting this history, Jephthah is reminding the king of Ammon that the Israelites have a legitimate claim to the land based on their divine calling and the promises of God. It also serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and delivering His people.
The themes present in this verse include the faithfulness of God, the chosen status of Israel, and the importance of historical memory. It serves as a reminder of the foundational events in Israel's history and the divine intervention that shaped their identity as a people. It also emphasizes the sovereignty of God in establishing and preserving His chosen nation, despite the challenges and opposition they faced.
In addition to its historical and theological significance, this verse also holds symbolic value. The exodus from Egypt, the wilderness journey, and the arrival at Kadesh can be seen as representative of the Christian journey. The exodus represents liberation from sin and bondage, the wilderness journey symbolizes the trials and refining experiences of the Christian life, and Kadesh can be seen as a picture of the promised rest and inheritance in Christ.
In conclusion, Judges 11:16 holds deep historical, theological, and symbolic significance in the narrative of Israel's history. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, the chosen status of Israel, and the foundational events that shaped their identity as a people. It also carries symbolic value for the Christian journey and the promises of God for His people.
Judges 11:16 Artwork

Judges 11:16 - "But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;"

Zechariah 1:1-6

John 16:11 - "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

Judges 16:11 - "And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak, and be as another man."

Judges 2:16 - "¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."

Judges 12:11 - "¶ And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years."

1 Corinthians 11:31 - "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

Job 31:11 - "For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges."

Genesis 16:11

Psalm 16:11

Psalm 16:11

Judges 16:1 - "Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her."

Proverbs 8:16 - "By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth."

Judges 16:16 - "And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;"

Judges 2:11 - "¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"

Judges 11:14 - "And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:"

Psalms 148:11 - "Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:"

Judges 3:11 - "And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died."

Ezekiel 16:38 - "And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy."

Ezekiel 11:11 - "This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will judge you in the border of Israel:"

Judges 14:11 - "And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him."

Judges 16:22 - "Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven."

Judges 16:4 - "¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah."

Judges 11:4 - "¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel."

Judges 11:27 - "Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon."

Judges 17:11 - "And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons."

Judges 8:16 - "And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth."

Judges 11:11 - "Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh."

Judges 11:40 - "That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year."

Judges 11:6 - "And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon."