Judges 2:14-15
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This verse uses the powerful phrase "he sold them" not just to describe a surrender to enemies, but to show God delivering Israel into their hands as a transaction of justice. It highlights that their defeat wasn't random misfortune, but a direct consequence of their disobedience, a consequence God Himself enacted.
So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Joshua's death and a new generation arose who didn't know God's commands, Israel abandoned their faithfulness and worshiped local deities. This turning away from God led to His righteous anger, resulting in their enemies plundering their land and enslaving them, leaving Israel utterly defeated and vulnerable. This cyclical pattern of disobedience, judgment, and eventual deliverance through raised-up judges becomes the defining rhythm of the book.
Have you ever felt a righteous anger surge when injustice happens? The Bible doesn't shy away from God's anger, and here, it's a powerful force.
This verse uses strong language: "the anger of the LORD was hot." This isn't a fleeting temper, but a holy indignation against sin and rebellion.
The Nature of God's Anger
"Sold" into Enemies' Hands
The phrase "he sold them into the hand of their enemies" is striking. It signifies a complete loss of control and sovereignty. Israel was treated like property, handed over to oppressors because they had forfeited their protected status by forsaking God.
Judges 2:14 describes a devastating low point for Israel. But this isn't the end of the story. It's part of a recurring pattern in this book.
This verse is a snapshot of a painful cycle that defines the book of Judges:
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This cycle repeats throughout the book, illustrating Israel's deep-seated tendency to stray and God's persistent, though often stern, faithfulness.
Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the burning, intense, and righteous indignation of God against sin and covenant unfaithfulness, which demands a response of justice.
makar · Hebrew Verb
To be handed over to an adversary or circumstances of judgment, illustrating God's withdrawal of protection as a disciplinary consequence for rebellion.
yad · Hebrew Noun
The exercise of divine power or authority, often used anthropomorphically to describe God’s active intervention in human history for either blessing or judgment.
shaba' · Hebrew Verb
A solemn, binding promise or commitment, often made by God, which carries grave consequences if broken by the human party involved.
tsar · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A state of extreme suffering, constraint, or oppression resulting from divine judgment, often leading to repentance.
This verse describes a direct consequence of Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness. The 'selling' into the hands of enemies wasn't a literal transaction, but God allowing their adversaries to overpower them as a form of discipline.
c. 1400 BC
Death of Joshua
Following Joshua's leadership and the conquest of Canaan, a new generation arose who did not know the LORD or His mighty deeds.
c. 1400-1075 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges
This era is characterized by cycles of Israel's disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations, crying out to God, and God raising up judges to deliver them.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Serves Idols
The people began to worship the local Canaanite deities, the Baals, abandoning the LORD who had delivered them.
c. 1400 BC
Raiding and Plundering Begins
As a consequence of their disobedience, marauding bands from surrounding nations began to raid Israel's territory, stealing livestock and goods.
c. 1400 BC
Loss of Military Strength
Their spiritual unfaithfulness led to God's hand being against them, weakening their ability to defend themselves against their enemies.
This passage powerfully illustrates the same theme of God handing His people over to their enemies due to their unfaithfulness, using the striking metaphor of 'selling' them.
Psalm 78:59This Psalm echoes the sentiment of Judges 2:14, recounting how Israel’s sin provoked God's anger, leading to their abandonment and suffering at the hands of their enemies.
Leviticus 26:17This is a foundational warning from God's law: disobedience would lead to being 'slain before your enemies,' directly foreshadowing the consequences described in Judges 2:14.
Judges 3:8This verse demonstrates the recurring cycle in Judges, explicitly stating that because of Israel's sin, God 'sold' them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim, directly paralleling the language and outcome in Judges 2:14.
Romans 1:24-32The New Testament explains God's righteous judgment against human sin by saying He 'gave them up' to their desires and consequences, a concept that deeply resonates with God 'giving them over' to their enemies in the Old Testament.
jfbJudges 2:14: "And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies."
- the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them—Adversities in close and rapid succession befell them. But all these calamities were designed only as chastisements—a course…
jfbJudges 2:11-19: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
Jud 2:11-19. Wickedness of the New Generation after Joshua.11-19. the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord—This chapter, together with the first eight verses of the next [Jud 2:11-3:8], contains a brief but comprehensive summary of the principles developed in the following history. An attentive consideration of them, therefore, is of the greatest importance to a right understanding…
This verse uses the powerful phrase "he sold them" not just to describe a surrender to enemies, but to show God delivering Israel into their hands as a transaction of justice. It highlights that their defeat wasn't random misfortune, but a direct consequence of their disobedience, a consequence God Himself enacted.
After Joshua's death and a new generation arose who didn't know God's commands, Israel abandoned their faithfulness and worshiped local deities. This turning away from God led to His righteous anger, resulting in their enemies plundering their land and enslaving them, leaving Israel utterly defeated and vulnerable. This cyclical pattern of disobedience, judgment, and eventual deliverance through raised-up judges becomes the defining rhythm of the book.
After Joshua's death and a new generation arose who didn't know God's commands, Israel abandoned their faithfulness and worshiped local deities. This turning away from God led to His righteous anger, resulting in their enemies plundering their land and enslaving them, leaving Israel utterly defeated and vulnerable. This cyclical pattern of disobedience, judgment, and eventual deliverance through raised-up judges becomes the defining rhythm of the book.
"So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they…" — This verse uses the powerful phrase "he sold them" not just to describe a surrender to enemies, but to show God delivering Israel into their hands as a transaction of justice. It highlights that thei…
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Last reviewed October 2026
