These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse lists specific groups like the Philistine lords and the Hivites who lived in mountainous regions. This detail emphasizes that God wasn't just leaving enemies scattered everywhere, but rather these were established, influential peoples in key strategic areas, testing Israel’s commitment to Him and their inheritance.
These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage immediately follows the account of Israel's disobedience in not driving out the Canaanites as commanded. Now, God declares these remaining nations will serve as a test for Israel, listing the specific groups and their geographical locations, highlighting the Philistines' coastal control and the Hivites' mountain strongholds to the north. This sets the stage for the cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance that will define Israel's history in the book of Judges.
Even after Joshua's victories, the Promised Land wasn't fully cleared. Why did God leave these nations behind?
This verse is crucial because it lists the very groups of people that Israel was supposed to dispossess from the land. Yet, God intentionally left them.
A Divine Test
Judges 3:1-2 tells us plainly that these nations were left 'to test Israel, to know whether they would obey the commandments of the LORD.' It wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate strategy. God wanted to see if Israel would remain faithful to Him, even when faced with the constant presence of pagan cultures, their tempting lifestyles, and their false gods.
Diverse and Dangerous Neighbors
The list itself is significant: the Philistines (a major military power), the Canaanites (the original inhabitants, deeply entrenched), the Sidonians (coastal traders known for their influence), and the Hivites (occupying the strategic mountainous region of Lebanon). These weren't just scattered remnants; they were established peoples with distinct identities and territories, stretching from the southern coast (Philistines) to the northern borders ('entering in of Hamath'). Their continued existence was a perpetual challenge to Israel's covenant relationship with God.
The verse meticulously maps out the territory of these remaining nations. What does this geographical detail reveal?
The specific locations mentioned in Judges 3:3 aren't just random place names; they define the borders of Israel's ongoing struggle and the extent of God's promised land that remained partially unfulfilled.
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From South to North
The mention of the 'five lords of the Philistines' grounds the southern boundary of the threat. These were a formidable group along the coast. Then, the text moves northwards, encompassing the Canaanites and Sidonians, and finally the Hivites who dwelt in the strategic 'Mount Lebanon.'
Defining the 'Land'
The phrase 'from Mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath' describes the northern limit. Mount Baal-hermon is likely an early name for a significant peak in the Hermon range, while the 'entering in of Hamath' marks the standard northern boundary of the land of Canaan. This geographical scope shows that the challenge wasn't confined to one area; it extended across the entire territory God had promised.
A Constant Reminder
These boundaries served as a constant, tangible reminder to Israel that their conquest was incomplete. The presence of these nations within the borders of their inheritance was a continuous invitation to compromise or a call to faithfulness, depending on Israel's choice.
This verse lists the specific groups that remained in the land after the initial conquest, highlighting the ongoing challenge Israel faced in fully obeying God's command to dispossess all inhabitants.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan, as promised by God.
c. 1390 BC
Initial Israelite Victories
Early successes include the defeat of various Canaanite cities and the subjugation of some peoples, though not complete eradication.
c. 1380 BC
Incomplete Conquest
Despite initial victories, the Israelites fail to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan as commanded, leaving many nations within their territory.
c. 1370 BC
Philistine Consolidation
The five Philistine city-states on the coastal plain (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron) solidify their power, often clashing with the Israelites.
c. 1370 BC— this verse
Hivites in Northern Lebanon
Hivite populations maintain their strongholds in the mountainous regions of Mount Lebanon, stretching from Mount Baal-hermon towards the northern entrance to Hamath.
c. 1370 BC
Sidonians and Canaanites Remain
The Sidonians in the north and various Canaanite groups across the land continue to exist, often independently or in regional centers.
This passage directly lists the same territories and peoples that remained unconquered, emphasizing that the Israelites had not yet fully possessed the land promised to them.
Genesis 10:15-18It traces the lineage of the Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites back to Canaan, the son of Ham, providing the ancient ethnological context for these groups.
Judges 1:18This verse describes Judah's initial success in subduing some Philistine cities, but also notes their later loss of control, mirroring the persistent presence of these nations mentioned in Judges 3:3.
Numbers 34:7-9This passage defines the promised land's boundaries, and the 'entering in of Hamath' is explicitly mentioned as the northern limit, showing the geographical scope of the land God intended for Israel but which was not fully occupied.
Exodus 34:11-12God warns Israel not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land, highlighting the divine decree that these nations were to be driven out, making their continued presence a direct act of disobedience.
wesleyJudges 3:3: "Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath."
3:3 Five lords - Whereof three had been in some sort subdued, chap.1:18. but afterwards recovered their strength. Canaanites - Properly so called, who were very numerous, and dispersed through several parts of the land, whence they gave denomination to all the rest of the people. Zidonions - The people…
ellicottJudges 3:3: "Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath."
(3) Five lords of the Philistines. —The princes of the Pentapolis, Gaza, Ashdod, Askelon, Gath, Ekron. The word rendered “lords” is evidently a technical or local title—Seranim. It is rendered by the LXX. “satrapies,” and by the Vulgate, “satraps.” It is variously derived from seren, “a hinge” (comp. “c…
The verse lists specific groups like the Philistine lords and the Hivites who lived in mountainous regions. This detail emphasizes that God wasn't just leaving enemies scattered everywhere, but rather these were established, influential peoples in key strategic areas, testing Israel’s commitment to Him and their inheritance.
This passage immediately follows the account of Israel's disobedience in not driving out the Canaanites as commanded. Now, God declares these remaining nations will serve as a test for Israel, listing the specific groups and their geographical locations, highlighting the Philistines' coastal control and the Hivites' mountain strongholds to the north. This sets the stage for the cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance that will define Israel's history in the book of Judges.
This passage immediately follows the account of Israel's disobedience in not driving out the Canaanites as commanded. Now, God declares these remaining nations will serve as a test for Israel, listing the specific groups and their geographical locations, highlighting the Philistines' coastal control and the Hivites' mountain strongholds to the north. This sets the stage for the cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance that will define Israel's history in the book of Judges.
"These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath." — The verse lists specific groups like the Philistine lords and the Hivites who lived in mountainous regions. This detail emphasizes that God wasn't just leaving enemies scattered everywhere, but rathe…
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Last reviewed October 2026