Judges 10:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel removes their foreign gods and serves the LORD, and His soul is grieved over their misery.
What Does Judges 10:16 Mean?
Repentance moves from words to action. Israel puts away the foreign gods from among them and serves the LORD again. And the text turns to God's own heart: His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel, unable to bear their suffering any longer.
Here the chapter reveals the tender heart behind the earlier severity. The God who said He would deliver no more is moved with grief over His people's pain. His was never indifference but the ache of love. When His people truly turn and put their idols away, His compassion answers. This is the God to whom all may return: one whose heart is stirred by our misery and whose mercy outlasts His just displeasure.
Judges 10:16 in the Original Language
nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), 'soul' -- the inner self or life, here the very heart of God moved with grief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 10:16
What does Judges 10:16 mean?
Israel removes their foreign gods and serves the LORD, and His soul is grieved over their misery.