And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this verse as just another cycle of Israel failing and God punishing them. But notice the phrasing: "the LORD strengthened Eglon... because they had done evil." God didn't just allow Eglon to win; He actively empowered him as a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience. This highlights that God's discipline isn't passive; it's a deliberate act of justice to bring His people back to Him.
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the first judge, Othniel, delivered Israel, the people fell back into their old habits of doing evil in God's eyes, specifically idolatry. This time, God allowed them to be oppressed by Eglon, a Moabite king who, with allies, conquered them and ruled for eighteen years. This verse marks the beginning of a cycle where Israel's sin leads to oppression, and their repentance leads to deliverance.
Why did God seem to 'strengthen' Israel's enemies? It wasn't random, but a direct response to their choices.
This verse kicks off a recurring pattern in the book of Judges: Israel sins, God sends a disciplinarian, and Israel cries out for deliverance. It's a stark reminder that our choices have consequences, and God, in His justice, responds to persistent sin.
A Familiar Fall
The phrase "did evil again" isn't just a casual observation; it highlights a deep-seated tendency. After experiencing God's deliverance and the leadership of judges like Othniel, the people quickly reverted to idolatry. This wasn't a one-off mistake, but a cycle they seemed trapped in.
God's Sovereign Hand
When the text says "the LORD strengthened Eglon," it's crucial to understand God's sovereignty. He didn't cause them to sin, but He allowed and utilized the Moabite king's ambition as a consequence for Israel's disobedience. This is God's way of bringing His people back to Himself through tough love.
What kind of 'evil' were the Israelites doing that warranted such a strong response from God?
The 'evil' mentioned here, particularly in the context of Judges, primarily refers to idolatry and the worship of foreign gods. This wasn't just a minor infraction; it was a profound betrayal of their covenant with the LORD.
Betraying the Covenant
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Israel's unique calling was to be a people set apart, worshipping Yahweh alone. Turning to other gods was akin to a spouse being unfaithful in a marriage covenant. It violated the very foundation of their relationship with God and their identity as His chosen people.
Imitating Their Enemies
Tragically, the people often adopted the religious practices of the surrounding nations they were supposed to be distinct from. They embraced the very idolatry they were commanded to destroy, leading God to use those very nations as instruments of His judgment.
Who was Eglon, and how could a human king be seen as an instrument of God's justice?
Eglon, the king of Moab, becomes the significant oppressor in this passage. While the text doesn't offer extensive details about his reign, the commentaries suggest his name might have carried a somewhat ironic meaning ('fat bullock'), hinting at a powerful, perhaps even physically imposing, ruler.
A Foreign Oppressor
Eglon united Moab with other hostile nations like the Ammonites and Amalekites to subdue Israel. His success wasn't due to his own inherent power alone, but because God 'strengthened' him. This divine enablement served as a consequence for Israel's sin.
God's Authority Over Nations
This highlights a critical theological point: God is sovereign not only over His people but also over all the nations. He can raise up or bring down rulers and utilize even wicked kings to carry out His purposes and discipline His own covenant people.
Understand the original words
ra · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A state or action that is morally wrong, wicked, or disagreeable to God's standards and character. In the context of Israel's history, it frequently refers to covenant unfaithfulness, apostasy, or turning toward idolatry.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal covenant name of the Creator and Redeemer of Israel. It represents His faithfulness to His people, His holiness, and His sovereign authority over all nations and history.
chazaq · Hebrew Verb
To make firm, robust, or resolute. In a theological context, it often refers to God sovereignly empowering an individual or nation, sometimes even an enemy, to fulfill His divine purposes in judgment or discipline.
This passage highlights a recurring pattern in Israel's history: their straying from God led to foreign oppression, a cycle broken only by divine intervention through chosen leaders.
c. 1400-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
Following the conquest of Canaan, Israel entered a cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance under various judges.
c. 11th Century BC
Israel's Idolatry and Disobedience
The Israelites repeatedly turned away from God to worship local deities, provoking God's judgment and leading to foreign oppression.
c. 11th Century BC— this verse
Moabite Aggression
King Eglon of Moab, possibly with alliances from Ammon and Amalek, formed a coalition to subdue Israel and reclaim territories east of the Jordan.
c. 11th Century BC
Eighteen Years of Moabite Oppression
Eglon's forces successfully conquered parts of Israel, establishing garrisons and oppressing the people for nearly two decades.
c. 11th Century BC
Ehud's Deliverance
The judge Ehud assassinated King Eglon and led a rebellion, resulting in Israel's liberation and eighty years of peace.
This verse echoes the warning from Exodus, where making alliances or showing favor to the nations around them would lead Israel into idolatry and subsequent judgment.
Deuteronomy 28:15The consequences described in Judges 3:12 are a direct fulfillment of the curses in Deuteronomy for disobedience, showing how God's justice follows Israel's sin.
1 Samuel 12:9-10Samuel recounts this very period, explicitly stating that Israel cried out to God and then forgot Him, leading to oppression by enemies like Eglon, confirming the cyclical nature of their sin and God's response.
Psalm 106:39-42This psalm reflects on Israel's history of sin and God's recurring pattern of delivering them from oppressors after they cried out, mirroring the situation in Judges 3:12.
jfbJudges 3:12-30: "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD."
Jud 3:12-30. Ehud Slays Eglon.12-14. the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord—The Israelites, deprived of the moral and political influences of Othniel, were not long in following their native bias to idolatry.the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab—The reigning monar…
gillJudges 3:12: "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD."
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord,.... Fell into idolatry again, which was a great evil in the sight of God, and what they were prone to fall into: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel; put it into his heart to invade them, and encouraged…
It's easy to read this verse as just another cycle of Israel failing and God punishing them. But notice the phrasing: "the LORD strengthened Eglon... because they had done evil." God didn't just allow Eglon to win; He actively empowered him as a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience. This highlights that God's discipline isn't passive; it's a deliberate act of justice to bring His people back to Him.
After the first judge, Othniel, delivered Israel, the people fell back into their old habits of doing evil in God's eyes, specifically idolatry. This time, God allowed them to be oppressed by Eglon, a Moabite king who, with allies, conquered them and ruled for eighteen years. This verse marks the beginning of a cycle where Israel's sin leads to oppression, and their repentance leads to deliverance.
After the first judge, Othniel, delivered Israel, the people fell back into their old habits of doing evil in God's eyes, specifically idolatry. This time, God allowed them to be oppressed by Eglon, a Moabite king who, with allies, conquered them and ruled for eighteen years. This verse marks the beginning of a cycle where Israel's sin leads to oppression, and their repentance leads to deliverance.
"And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD." — It's easy to read this verse as just another cycle of Israel failing and God punishing them. But notice the phrasing: "the LORD strengthened Eglon... because they had done evil." God didn't just al…
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Last reviewed October 2026