These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,
Parallel translations
- WEB Now these are the nations which Yahweh left, to test Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
- KJV Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
- NKJV Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan
- NASB Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them (that is, all the Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan;
- NLT These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
These are the nations the LORD left to test Israel, those who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. It matters as naming God's purpose for the remaining peoples.
Overview
The text introduces the nations God left behind to test the new generation that had not fought in the conquest. The testing is purposeful, exposing whether they would trust and obey Yahweh. This shows God's sovereign use even of unconquered enemies to accomplish his refining purposes among his people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Judg 2:21–22I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died.
- Prov 17:3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
- Deut 7:22The LORD your God will drive out these nations before you little by little. You will not be enabled to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals would multiply around you.
- Deut 8:16He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.
- 1 Pet 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Judg 2:10After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.
- Deut 8:2Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.
- Jer 6:27“I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, so you may know and try their ways.
- John 2:24But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.
- Job 23:10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- Jer 17:9–10The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- Zech 13:9This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
- 1 Pet 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Rev 2:23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
- 2 Chr 32:31And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Israel's cycle of sin and rescue through flawed deliverers cries out for a Savior who never fails — the true and final Judge and Deliverer who saves his people not for a season but forever.
How Judges 3:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.