What does Judges 3:14 mean?

"So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years." - Judges 3:14

Judges 3:14 - "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years."

Judges 3:14 - "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years."

The verse Judges 3:14 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years." This verse comes from the book of Judges, which is part of the historical books in the Old Testament. The book of Judges covers the period of time from the death of Joshua to the time of Saul, the first king of Israel.

In this particular verse, the children of Israel are described as serving Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years. This period of servitude is significant because it represents a time when the Israelites were under the oppressive rule of a foreign king. The verse sets the stage for the story of Ehud, a judge who would eventually deliver the Israelites from the Moabites.

The broader context of this verse is the recurring cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that is evident throughout the book of Judges. The Israelites repeatedly turned away from God and His commandments, leading to their oppression by foreign nations. In this case, the Moabites were the oppressors, and the Israelites found themselves in a state of subjugation for almost two decades.

The theme of disobedience and its consequences is a central focus of this verse. The Israelites' servitude to Eglon is a direct result of their disobedience to God. Throughout the book of Judges, the Israelites' disobedience leads to their oppression, and it is only when they turn back to God and seek His help that they are delivered from their enemies.

The figure of Eglon, the king of Moab, also carries symbolic significance. In the biblical narrative, Moab is often associated with obstinacy and pride. Eglon's reign over the Israelites represents the oppressive and tyrannical nature of foreign rule. This symbolism serves to emphasize the Israelites' need for deliverance and their eventual reliance on God to free them from the grip of their enemies.

The number eighteen is also worth noting in this verse. In biblical numerology, the number eighteen is often associated with bondage and oppression. It signifies a period of testing and tribulation, which is certainly fitting in the context of the Israelites' servitude to Eglon.

Ultimately, this verse serves as a reminder of the Israelites' cyclical pattern of disobedience and deliverance. It highlights the consequences of turning away from God and the hope for redemption through repentance and reliance on Him. The story of Ehud, which follows this verse, will further illustrate the theme of deliverance and God's faithfulness to His people.

In conclusion, Judges 3:14 is a pivotal verse in the book of Judges, setting the stage for the Israelites' deliverance from the Moabites. It underscores the theme of disobedience and its consequences, as well as the symbolism of foreign oppression and the need for God's intervention. This verse serves as a precursor to the story of Ehud, who will play a crucial role in the Israelites' eventual liberation from their oppressors. Overall, this verse offers a poignant reminder of the Israelites' need for God's guidance and protection in the face of adversity.

Judges 3:14 Artwork

Judges 3:14 - "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years."

Judges 3:14 - "So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years."

Romans 14:3 - "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him."

Romans 14:3 - "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him."

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

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

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

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

Judges 14:1 - "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines."

Judges 14:1 - "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines."

Judges 14:7 - "And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well."

Judges 14:7 - "And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well."

Judges 10:3 - "¶ And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years."

Judges 10:3 - "¶ And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years."

Judges 9:14 - "Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 9:14 - "Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 3:6 - "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods."

Judges 3:6 - "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods."

Judges 14:3 - "Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well."

Judges 14:3 - "Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well."

Zephaniah 3:3 - "Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow."

Zephaniah 3:3 - "Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow."

Judges 14:14 - "And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle."

Judges 14:14 - "And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle."

Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."

Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."

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

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

Judges 12:14 - "And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years."

Judges 12:14 - "And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years."

Romans 14:13 - "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

Romans 14:13 - "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

Judges 3:26 - "And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath."

Judges 3:26 - "And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath."

Judges 3:5 - "¶ And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:"

Judges 3:5 - "¶ And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:"

1 Corinthians 14:29 - "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."

1 Corinthians 14:29 - "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."

Romans 3:6 - "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?"

Romans 3:6 - "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?"

Judges 3:3 - "Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath."

Judges 3:3 - "Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath."

Isaiah 3:13 - "The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."

Isaiah 3:13 - "The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people."

1 Corinthians 4:3 - "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self."

1 Corinthians 4:3 - "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self."

Judges 3:17 - "And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man."

Judges 3:17 - "And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man."

Judges 19:14 - "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."

Judges 19:14 - "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."

Judges 10:14 - "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation."

Judges 10:14 - "Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation."

Judges 20:14 - "But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel."

Judges 20:14 - "But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel."

Psalms 135:14 - "For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants."

Psalms 135:14 - "For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants."

Judges 3:23 - "Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them."

Judges 3:23 - "Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them."

Judges 3:7 - "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves."

Judges 3:7 - "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves."