Judges 11:17 - then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let me pass through your land;’ but the king of Edom didn’t listen. In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel stayed in Kadesh.
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What does "Judges 11:17" mean?
Judges 11:17 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's journey back to their promised land after their exodus from Egypt. It signifies a period of diplomatic failure and highlights the opposition Israel faced from neighboring nations. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let me pass through your land;'": This shows Israel attempting to take a peaceful route through the land of Edom (who were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother). They weren't asking to settle or claim the land, simply to traverse it. This was a request for hospitality and safe passage, a common practice in the ancient world.
"but the king of Edom didn't listen.": Edom refused Israel's request. This refusal was significant because it showed Edom's hostility towards Israel.
"In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab; but he would not:": Israel repeated their request to the king of Moab, another neighboring kingdom. Like Edom, Moab also denied them passage.
"and Israel stayed in Kadesh.": Denied passage by both Edom and Moab, Israel was forced to remain in Kadesh, a location in the desert near the border of Edom. This meant they were stuck, unable to continue their journey as planned.
Significance and Implications:
Opposition and Obstacles: The verse illustrates the opposition Israel faced in their quest to reach the promised land. They weren't welcomed with open arms; instead, they encountered resistance and rejection.
Failed Diplomacy: It highlights the failure of diplomacy. Israel tried to resolve the situation peacefully, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Forced Detour: The refusal of Edom and Moab forced Israel to take a detour, prolonging their journey and potentially leading to other conflicts.
Context of Judges: This verse is part of Jephthah's argument in Judges 11. He is recounting Israel's history to the Ammonites to demonstrate that Israel did not take their land unlawfully. Jephthah is arguing that Israel tried to peacefully pass through these lands but were denied, and only conquered land when directly attacked. Therefore, he claims that the land Israel conquered from the Amorites was rightfully taken.
In summary, Judges 11:17 describes a crucial setback in Israel's journey, highlighting the resistance they faced from neighboring kingdoms and the failure of their attempts at peaceful passage. It underscores the complex geopolitical landscape of the region and sets the stage for further conflicts and challenges in Israel's early history.
Judges 11:17 - then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let me pass through your land;’ but the king of Edom didn’t listen. In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel stayed in Kadesh.
What does "Judges 11:17" mean?
Judges 11:17 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's journey back to their promised land after their exodus from Egypt. It signifies a period of diplomatic failure and highlights the opposition Israel faced from neighboring nations. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let me pass through your land;'": This shows Israel attempting to take a peaceful route through the land of Edom (who were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother). They weren't asking to settle or claim the land, simply to traverse it. This was a request for hospitality and safe passage, a common practice in the ancient world.
"but the king of Edom didn't listen.": Edom refused Israel's request. This refusal was significant because it showed Edom's hostility towards Israel.
"In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab; but he would not:": Israel repeated their request to the king of Moab, another neighboring kingdom. Like Edom, Moab also denied them passage.
"and Israel stayed in Kadesh.": Denied passage by both Edom and Moab, Israel was forced to remain in Kadesh, a location in the desert near the border of Edom. This meant they were stuck, unable to continue their journey as planned.
Significance and Implications:
Opposition and Obstacles: The verse illustrates the opposition Israel faced in their quest to reach the promised land. They weren't welcomed with open arms; instead, they encountered resistance and rejection.
Failed Diplomacy: It highlights the failure of diplomacy. Israel tried to resolve the situation peacefully, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Forced Detour: The refusal of Edom and Moab forced Israel to take a detour, prolonging their journey and potentially leading to other conflicts.
Context of Judges: This verse is part of Jephthah's argument in Judges 11. He is recounting Israel's history to the Ammonites to demonstrate that Israel did not take their land unlawfully. Jephthah is arguing that Israel tried to peacefully pass through these lands but were denied, and only conquered land when directly attacked. Therefore, he claims that the land Israel conquered from the Amorites was rightfully taken.
In summary, Judges 11:17 describes a crucial setback in Israel's journey, highlighting the resistance they faced from neighboring kingdoms and the failure of their attempts at peaceful passage. It underscores the complex geopolitical landscape of the region and sets the stage for further conflicts and challenges in Israel's early history.