Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The name "Cushan-rishathaim" itself is more than just a name; it means "Cushan of double wickedness," highlighting how Israel's sin had stirred up not just any oppressor, but one whose very identity, according to the ancient translators, spoke of profound evil. This invasion from a distant land wasn't random, but a stark reminder that God's discipline could come from unexpected places when Israel strayed.
Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After failing to drive out all the Canaanites, Israel fell into the sin of idolatry, leading God to deliver them into the hands of a foreign king from Mesopotamia. This king, whose name means "Cushan of double wickedness," oppressed Israel for eight long years, demanding tribute and subjugating them. This period of hardship was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and serves as the setup for Othniel's eventual deliverance.
The verse says God 'sold' Israel into the hands of their enemies. What does that really mean when it comes to God's justice and love?
The language of God 'selling' Israel into oppression isn't about a casual transaction, but a powerful metaphor for divine justice.
A Just Consequence
When Israel repeatedly turned away from God, they broke the covenant they had made. This led to consequences.
Delivered, Not Abandoned
This 'selling' is God allowing the natural consequences of their disobedience to play out. It's a form of discipline, not abandonment. He still has a plan for their deliverance, as seen in the subsequent verses.
A Merciful Warning
God's anger is described as 'hot,' but even this judgment is an act of mercy, designed to wake them up from their spiritual slumber and turn them back to Him.
The enemy's name, Cushan-rishathaim, sounds harsh. What's in a name, and where did this oppressor come from?
The name Cushan-rishathaim itself is loaded with meaning, highlighting both the nature of the enemy and the extent of God's reach.
A Name of Wickedness
Many scholars believe 'Cushan-rishathaim' isn't just a name but a title. It likely means 'Cushan of double wickedness' or 'the wicked Cushan.' The ancient translations often render it this way, emphasizing the evil character of this ruler and his oppression.
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From Far Away
Mesopotamia, also known as Aram-naharaim ('Syria of the two rivers'), was a region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This was a considerable distance from Israel. The fact that the threat came from so far away underscores that this wasn't just a local squabble; it was a divine allowance, showing that no distant land could shield Israel from the consequences of their disobedience.
Israel served Cushan-rishathaim for eight long years. What does this period signify in the cycle of Israel's history?
The duration of this oppression, eight years, is significant and fits a pattern within the book of Judges.
A Defined Period of Discipline
Eight years was a substantial amount of time for the Israelites to suffer under a foreign yoke. It was long enough to cause hardship, privation, and to remind them that their prosperity was tied to their faithfulness to God.
Part of a Cycle
This eight-year period is the first in a recurring cycle described in Judges: sin, judgment, crying out to God, and deliverance. This pattern highlights that even in their lowest moments, God was still working towards their restoration, albeit through painful discipline. This serves as a stark warning and a clear example of the consequences of straying from God's path.
Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
A manifestation of God's holy and righteous response to sin and covenant unfaithfulness. It is not an arbitrary emotion but a settled, just reaction against rebellion and evil.
The oppression under Cushan-rishathaim highlights how even distant powers could threaten Israel, underscoring that their struggles were often tied to regional geopolitical shifts as well as their spiritual faithfulness.
c. 1400-1200 BC
Egyptian Domination of Canaan
During the New Kingdom period, Egypt exerted significant influence and at times direct control over Canaan, impacting regional power dynamics.
c. 1200 BC
Late Bronze Age Collapse
A widespread societal collapse across the region, marked by the decline of major civilizations, invasions, and widespread disruption, setting the stage for new powers to emerge.
c. 1150 BC— this verse
Aramean Migrations and Kingdoms
Aramean tribes began migrating and establishing kingdoms in Syria and Mesopotamia, becoming a significant regional force. Some scholars link Cushan-rishathaim to this period.
c. 1150-1140 BC
Israelite Servitude to Cushan-rishathaim
The people of Israel are oppressed and made tributary by Cushan-rishathaim, king of Aram-naharaim (Mesopotamia), for eight years due to their disobedience to God.
c. 1142 BC
Othniel Delivers Israel
The Spirit of the LORD empowers Othniel, the first of the Judges, to defeat Cushan-rishathaim and bring a period of peace to Israel.
This passage directly speaks to the consequence of disobedience, stating that Israel would serve their enemies in hardship and hunger, echoing the servitude described in Judges 3:8.
Jeremiah 25:11This verse describes a prophetic judgment where the entire land would become a desolation and serve the king of Babylon for seventy years, paralleling the concept of nations being 'sold' into servitude due to sin.
Psalm 106:40-41This psalm recounts Israel's history of sin and God's subsequent judgment, noting how the LORD gave them into the hand of the nations, which is a clear thematic link to their oppression by Cushan-rishathaim.
Romans 6:16Paul uses the metaphor of servitude, explaining that people become slaves to whatever they obey. This spiritual principle mirrors Israel's physical enslavement as a direct result of their disobedience to God.
jfbJudges 3:8-11: "Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years."
Jud 3:8-11. Othniel Delivers Israel.8-11. sold them—that is, "delivered them"into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim—or, Chushan, "the wicked." This name had been probably given him from his cruel and impious character.served Chushan-rishathaim eight years—by the payment of a stipulated trib…
bensonJudges 3:8: "Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years."
Jdg 3:8 . He sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim — So that the first enemies that oppressed the Israelites were the Syrians; who, either out of hatred, or a desire to enlarge their dominions, came over the Euphrates, and invaded them, and kept them in subjection eight years. King…
The name "Cushan-rishathaim" itself is more than just a name; it means "Cushan of double wickedness," highlighting how Israel's sin had stirred up not just any oppressor, but one whose very identity, according to the ancient translators, spoke of profound evil. This invasion from a distant land wasn't random, but a stark reminder that God's discipline could come from unexpected places when Israel strayed.
After failing to drive out all the Canaanites, Israel fell into the sin of idolatry, leading God to deliver them into the hands of a foreign king from Mesopotamia. This king, whose name means "Cushan of double wickedness," oppressed Israel for eight long years, demanding tribute and subjugating them. This period of hardship was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and serves as the setup for Othniel's eventual deliverance.
After failing to drive out all the Canaanites, Israel fell into the sin of idolatry, leading God to deliver them into the hands of a foreign king from Mesopotamia. This king, whose name means "Cushan of double wickedness," oppressed Israel for eight long years, demanding tribute and subjugating them. This period of hardship was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and serves as the setup for Othniel's eventual deliverance.
"Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years." — The name "Cushan-rishathaim" itself is more than just a name; it means "Cushan of double wickedness," highlighting how Israel's sin had stirred up not just any oppressor, but one whose very identit…
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Last reviewed October 2026