Judges 2:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Despite their unfaithfulness, the LORD raises up judges who deliver Israel from those who plundered them.
What Does Judges 2:16 Mean?
The single word 'nevertheless' turns the whole scene. Into the cycle of sin and suffering, the LORD raises up judges, leaders empowered to rescue, who deliver the people from their oppressors. This introduces the deliverers whose stories fill the book.
Mercy interrupts judgment. Even while Israel deserved abandonment, God provided rescue, not because they had earned it but because of His own compassion. These judges foreshadow a greater Deliverer, for every rescue in Scripture points toward the Savior who would come to free His people from a bondage no human judge could break.
Judges 2:16 in the Original Language
shaphat (שָׁפַט), 'judge' -- to govern, vindicate, and deliver, not merely to render verdicts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 2:16
What does Judges 2:16 mean?
Despite their unfaithfulness, the LORD raises up judges who deliver Israel from those who plundered them.