Judges 3:3

"only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who knew nothing of it before:"

Key Reflection

In Judges 3:3, Joshua and the Israelites are facing a series of challenges from various enemies after entering Canaan. This verse emphasizes the educational purpose behind engaging in warfare; it ensures that future generations learn how to fight, especially those who had not experienced combat firsthand. The original audience would have understood this as a practical measure for national defense and survival, preparing the people for potential conflicts they might encounter as they settled in their new land.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Lords -Seranim, a title used exclusively of the princes of the five Philistine cities. The title is probably of Phoenician origin. Joshua appears to have smitten and subdued the Hivites as far north as Baal-Gad, in the valley of Lebanon under Mount HermonJoshua 11:17;Joshua 12:7, but no furtherJoshua 13:5. There was an unsubdued Hivite population to the north of Baal-hermon (probably Baal-Gad under Hermon, since it is not synonymous with Hermon; see1 Chronicles 5:23), to the entering in of Hamath: i. e. in the fertile valley of Coele-Syria. Hamath is always spoken of as the extreme northern boundary of the land of Canaan.

More from Judges 3

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