And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. They took their daughters in marriageThis phrase highlights the Israelites' disobedience to God's command to remain separate from the pagan nations surrounding them. The Hebrew root for "took" (לָקַח, laqach) implies an active choice, indicating that the Israelites willingly entered into these unions. Historically, marriage alliances were common in the ancient Near East as a means of securing political and social ties. However, for the Israelites, this act represented a significant departure from their covenantal identity. By marrying the daughters of the surrounding nations, they not only disobeyed God's explicit instructions ( Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3-4) but also opened themselves up to the influence of foreign gods and practices, which would lead them away from their devotion to Yahweh. and gave their own daughters to their sons
This phrase further emphasizes the reciprocal nature of these alliances. The Israelites not only took foreign wives but also gave their daughters in marriage to the sons of these nations. The Hebrew word for "gave" (נָתַן, nathan) suggests a deliberate act of offering or surrendering. This exchange of daughters signifies a deeper level of integration and assimilation into the surrounding cultures. From a scriptural perspective, this act of giving their daughters away symbolizes a relinquishing of their distinctiveness as God's chosen people. It reflects a compromise of their values and a willingness to conform to the practices of the nations around them, which ultimately led to spiritual and moral decline. and served their gods
This phrase reveals the inevitable consequence of the Israelites' intermarriage with pagan nations. The Hebrew word for "served" (עָבַד, avad) conveys the idea of worship and devotion. By serving the gods of the surrounding nations, the Israelites violated the first commandment, which called for exclusive worship of Yahweh. This service was not merely a passive acceptance but an active participation in idolatrous practices. Historically, the worship of foreign gods often involved rituals and customs that were abhorrent to the God of Israel, including child sacrifice and temple prostitution. The Israelites' service to these gods represents a profound spiritual adultery, as they turned away from their covenant relationship with Yahweh to pursue the false promises of the idols. This act of serving other gods led to their oppression and suffering, as God allowed them to experience the consequences of their unfaithfulness, ultimately calling them back to repentance and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God who were commanded to remain separate from the pagan nations around them to maintain their covenant relationship with God. 2. Canaanite NationsThe surrounding pagan nations whose daughters the Israelites took in marriage, leading to idolatry and disobedience to God. 3. IntermarriageThe act of marrying outside the Israelite community, which led to the Israelites serving other gods. 4. IdolatryThe worship of false gods, which was a direct violation of the first commandment and led to Israel's downfall. 5. JudgesLeaders raised by God to deliver Israel from oppression, often following periods of disobedience and idolatry. Teaching Points The Danger of CompromiseCompromising God's commands leads to spiritual decline and idolatry. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commands is crucial for maintaining a faithful relationship with Him. Guarding Against IdolatryModern believers must be vigilant against anything that takes the place of God in their lives. The Influence of RelationshipsRelationships can significantly impact one's spiritual walk; therefore, choosing godly relationships is vital. Repentance and RestorationGod is always ready to restore those who turn back to Him in repentance. Bible Study Questions 1. What were the consequences of the Israelites' decision to intermarry with the Canaanite nations, and how can we apply this lesson to our lives today? 2. How does the warning against intermarriage in Judges 3:6 relate to the New Testament teaching in 2 Corinthians 6:14? 3. In what ways can modern believers guard against idolatry in their own lives? 4. How can the account of the Israelites in Judges 3:6 encourage us to remain obedient to God's commands? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our relationships honor God and strengthen our faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 34:16Warns against intermarriage with pagan nations, as it would lead to idolatry. Deuteronomy 7:3-4Commands the Israelites not to intermarry with the Canaanites to prevent turning away from God. 1 Kings 11:1-4Describes how Solomon's foreign wives led him to idolatry, paralleling the situation in Judges. 2 Corinthians 6:14Advises believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, echoing the Old Testament warnings against intermarriage. Ezra 9:1-2Details the consequences of intermarriage with foreign nations, leading to a call for repentance. People Amalek, Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Anath, Aram, Canaanites, Chushanrishathaim, Chushan-rishathaim, Eglon, Ehud, Gera, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Kenaz, Moabites, Othniel, Perizzites, Shamgar, Sidonians, ZidoniansPlaces Canaan, Gilgal, Jordan River, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Mesopotamia, Moab, Mount Baal-hermon, SeirahTopics Daughters, Gods, Marriage, Nations, Servants, Serve, Served, Sons, Themselves, WivesDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 3:5-6 5711 marriage, restrictions Judges 3:5-8 6218 provoking God Library Use what You Have
Few people really are and do their best. Nature has blessed a few with great talents and abilities. These persons often become proud, self-centered, and feel themselves to be superior, and for that reason many times they fail to make the proper use of their abilities. How often are they used in a bad or foolish way, so that what might be a blessing to the world fails to be such! There are many others who realize they do not possess these natural gifts. They look upon those who have them, and envy …
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart TalksGifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Whether Baptism Should Take Away the Penalties of Sin that Belong to this Life?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should take away the penalties of sin that belong to this life. For as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:15), the gift of Christ is farther-reaching than the sin of Adam. But through Adam's sin, as the Apostle says (Rom. 5:12), "death entered into this world," and, consequently, all the other penalties of the present life. Much more, therefore, should man be freed from the penalties of the present life, by the gift of Christ which is received in Baptism. Objection 2: Further, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare unto You, that God is Light,"
1 John i. 5.--"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light," &c. The great design of the gospel is to make up the breach of man's joy, and open up the way to the fulness of it, and therefore it is the good news and glad tidings of great joy, the only best message that ever came to the world. Now it shows unto us the channel that this river of gladness and joy runs into, it discovers what is the way of the conveyance of it to the soul, and what are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law made unfitting precepts concerning rulers. Because, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 4), "the ordering of the people depends mostly on the chief ruler." But the Law contains no precept relating to the institution of the chief ruler; and yet we find therein prescriptions concerning the inferior rulers: firstly (Ex. 18:21): "Provide out of all the people wise [Vulg.: 'able'] men," etc.; again (Num. 11:16): "Gather unto Me seventy men of the ancients of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Doctrine of Angels.
I. THEIR EXISTENCE. 1. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. 2. THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES. II. THEIR NATURE. 1. CREATED BEINGS. 2. SPIRITUAL BEINGS. 3. GREAT POWER AND MIGHT. 4. VARIOUS GRADES. 5. THE NUMBER OF ANGELS. III. THE FALL OF ANGELS. 1. TIME AND CAUSE. 2. THE WORK OF FALLEN ANGELS. 3. THE JUDGMENT OF FALLEN ANGELS. IV. THE WORK OF ANGELS. 1. THEIR HEAVENLY MINISTRY. 2. THEIR EARTHLY MINISTRY. a) In Relation to the Believer. b) In Relation to Christ's Second Coming. THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS. We are not …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 3:6 NIVJudges 3:6 NLTJudges 3:6 ESVJudges 3:6 NASBJudges 3:6 KJV
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