What does Judges 2:15 mean?
“Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.” — Judges 2:15
The Bible verse Judges 2:15 from the King James Version (KJV) states: "Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed."
This verse comes from the book of Judges in the Old Testament, which tells the story of the Israelites' struggle to claim the Promised Land after the death of Joshua. The book of Judges is a historical account of the cycle of disobedience, oppression, crying out to God, and deliverance that the Israelites experienced during this time, as they repeatedly fell into sin and idolatry.
In this specific verse, we see the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience to God's commands. The phrase "the hand of the Lord was against them for evil" signifies that God allowed suffering and distress to come upon the Israelites as punishment for their disobedience. This underscores the concept of divine justice and the idea that God holds his people accountable for their actions.
The context of this verse is essential to understanding its significance. The Israelites had been instructed by God to drive out the inhabitants of the land they were to occupy, and to eradicate all traces of idolatry and false gods. However, they failed to fully obey these commands, and instead intermarried with the Canaanites and adopted their pagan practices. This disobedience led to the Israelites facing the consequences of God's judgment, as they were subjected to oppression and distress.
This cycle of disobedience and punishment is a recurring theme throughout the book of Judges. The Israelites would turn away from God, worship idols, and engage in sinful behavior, leading to God allowing foreign nations to oppress them. In their distress, the Israelites would cry out to God for deliverance, and he would raise up a judge to lead them to freedom. However, the cycle would inevitably repeat as the Israelites fell back into sin after a period of peace and prosperity.
The verse also highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping his promises. The mention of "as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them" emphasizes that God's actions were in fulfillment of his previous warnings and agreements with the Israelites. This serves as a reminder that God's word is trustworthy and that he will always follow through on his promises, whether they be for blessings or for judgment.
Symbolically, the "hand of the Lord" represents God's authority and power over his people. In allowing the Israelites to suffer at the hands of their enemies, God demonstrated his sovereignty and his role as the ultimate judge of humanity. This verse also symbolizes the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God's commands. It serves as a warning to the Israelites and to all believers that there are severe repercussions for turning away from God and pursuing worldly desires.
In conclusion, Judges 2:15 from the King James Version of the Bible conveys a powerful message about the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance that marks the history of Israel and the ongoing struggle between humanity's sinful nature and God's redemptive power. This verse offers timeless insights into the nature of God and his relationship with his people, serving as a source of instruction and inspiration for believers today.
Get our apps
Artwork for Judges 2:15
Judges 2:15 - "Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed."
"Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed." - Judges 2:15
Judges 15:15
1 Corinthians 2:15 - "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
Judges 9:8-15
John 8:15 - "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man."
Judges 15:20 - "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years."
Judges 15:15 - "And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith."
Judges 4:15 – "The Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword."
Judges 15:9 - "¶ Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi."
2 Kings 15:5 - "¶ And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land."
Judges 15:2 - "And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her."
Judges 21:15 - "And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel."
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." - 1 Corinthians 2:15
Judges 12:15 - "And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites."
"And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years." - Judges 15:20
"Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." - John 8:15
2 Samuel 15:4 - "Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"
1 Samuel 24:15 - "The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand."
Judges 2:16 - "¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."
Judges 18:15 - "And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him."
Judges 2:31
Judges 15:8 - "And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam."
Judges 15:16 - "And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men."
Judges 11:15 - "And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:"
Judges 15:7 - "¶ And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease."
1 Samuel 7:15 - "And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life."
Matthew 7:1-2 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Judges 15:3 - "¶ And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure."
Judges 15:4 - "And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails."