only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it previously).
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:
- KJV Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
- 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),
- 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 2:3You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Tim 4:7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
- 1 Cor 9:26–27I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air,
- Eph 6:11–18Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- John 16:33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- 2 Chr 12:8Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
- Gen 2:17but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
- 1 Tim 6:12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
- Gen 3:7Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.
- Matt 10:34–39“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
- Gen 3:5for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, 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.