Judges 5:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The angel of the LORD pronounces a curse on Meroz for failing to come and help the LORD against His enemies.
What Does Judges 5:23 Mean?
Against all the praise of the willing, one place is singled out for a curse. Meroz, an Israelite town, is condemned by the angel of the LORD, not for fighting on the wrong side, but for failing to come at all to help the LORD against the mighty.
The sin here is not active rebellion but refusal to act when God's cause needed them. To stand by while the Lord's people struggle is itself a grave failure. God counts the help we owe Him as truly given to Him, and He does not overlook the silence of those who would not come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 5:23
What does Judges 5:23 mean?
The angel of the LORD pronounces a curse on Meroz for failing to come and help the LORD against His enemies.