Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
Parallel translations
- WEB only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at least those who knew nothing of it before:
- BSB if only to teach warfare to the subsequent generations of Israel, especially to those who had not known it formerly:
- NKJV (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it),
- NASB only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it previously).
- NLT He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.
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
A further purpose was to teach the inexperienced generations the discipline of war. It matters as God preparing his people through struggle.
Overview
God also leaves the nations so that those untrained in battle might learn warfare. This points to a maturing of the people through trial rather than ease. It illustrates the broader biblical truth that God strengthens his people through conflict, a principle echoed in the believer's call to spiritual warfare.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Tim 2:3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Tim 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
- 1 Cor 9:26–27I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
- Eph 6:11–18Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
- 2 Chr 12:8Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.
- Gen 2:17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
- 1 Tim 6:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
- Gen 3:7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
- Matt 10:34–39Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
- Gen 3:5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 3:2 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.