Judges 3:14
Judges 3:14 in Multiple Translations
The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.
So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
And the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
And the children of Israel were servants to Eglon, king of Moab, for eighteen years.
The Israelites were subject to Eglon, king of Moab, for eighteen years.
So the children of Israel serued Eglon king of Moab eighteene yeeres.
and the sons of Israel serve Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.
The children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
And the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years:
Then King Eglon ruled the Israelis for eighteen years.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 3:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 3:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעַבְד֤וּ
בְנֵֽי
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
אֶת
עֶגְל֣וֹן
מֶֽלֶךְ
מוֹאָ֔ב
שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
שָׁנָֽה
וַ/יַּעַבְד֤וּ
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
עֶגְל֣וֹן
ʻEglôwn
H5700
Eglon
N-proper
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
מוֹאָ֔ב
Môwʼâb
H4124
Moab
N-proper
שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Adj
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
שָׁנָֽה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 3:14
וַ/יַּעַבְד֤וּ
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עֶגְל֣וֹן
ʻEglôwn
H5700
"Eglon"
N-proper
Eglon was a king of Moab who oppressed Israel for 18 years before being killed by Ehud. The name also refers to a city in Canaan that opposed Israel's conquest.
Definition: A man of the Moabites living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.3.12 § Eglon = "calf-like" 1) king of Moab who oppressed the children of Israel for 18 years before he was killed by the judge Ehud 2) a royal city in Canaan that opposed the conquest; located in the low lands of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Eglon. See also: Joshua 10:3; Joshua 12:12; Judges 3:17.
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
מוֹאָ֔ב
Môwʼâb
H4124
"Moab"
N-proper
Moab refers to the land and descendants of the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous relationship. The land of Moab is mentioned in the book of Numbers and the book of Ruth.
Definition: Combined with a.ra.vah (עֲרָבָה " Plains" H6160I) § Moab = "of his father" the land inhabited by the descendants of the son of Lot
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: Moab. See also: Genesis 19:37; 2 Kings 3:21; Psalms 60:10.
שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
שָׁנָֽה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
Study Notes — Judges 3:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 3:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 3:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 3:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 3:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 3:14
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 3:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 3:14
- Sermons on Judges 3:14
Context — Ehud
12Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
13After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms.
14The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.
15And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloakCross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 28:47–48 | Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance, you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 28:40 | You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off. |
| 3 | Leviticus 26:23–25 | And if in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me, then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins. And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. Though you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. |
Judges 3:14 Summary
[The Israelites were forced to serve Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years because they had disobeyed God, as stated in Judges 3:12. This was a difficult time for them, but it ultimately led them to cry out to God for help, as seen in Judges 3:15. We can learn from their experience that disobedience can lead to hard times, but God is always willing to deliver us when we turn back to Him, as seen in Psalm 107:6 and Isaiah 55:7. By studying this verse, we can see the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God, and the value of crying out to Him in times of need, as seen in Psalm 34:17-18.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites serve Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years?
The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord, as stated in Judges 3:12, and as a result, God gave Eglon power over them, allowing them to be conquered and oppressed.
What can we learn from the Israelites' experience of serving Eglon king of Moab?
We can learn that disobedience to God can lead to bondage and oppression, as seen in Judges 3:14, but that God is always willing to deliver us when we cry out to Him, as seen in Judges 3:15 and Psalm 107:6.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the book of Judges?
This verse is part of a larger pattern in the book of Judges, where the Israelites sin, are punished, and then cry out to God for deliverance, as seen in Judges 2:10-19 and throughout the book, highlighting the need for obedience and faithfulness to God.
What does this verse teach us about God's character?
This verse teaches us that God is a holy and just God who will not tolerate sin, as stated in Deuteronomy 28:15 and Leviticus 26:14-39, but also a loving and merciful God who desires to deliver and redeem His people, as seen in Judges 3:15 and Exodus 34:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What areas of my life am I serving something or someone other than God, and how can I cry out to Him for deliverance?
- How have I experienced bondage or oppression in my life, and how has God delivered me in the past?
- What can I learn from the Israelites' experience of serving Eglon king of Moab, and how can I apply those lessons to my own life?
- In what ways am I disobedient to God, and how can I repent and turn back to Him, as seen in 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 3:14
So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. Ten years longer than they served the king of Mesopotamia, Jude 3:8, as a severer correction of them for their relapse into idolatry.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 3:14
And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 3:14
Judges 3:14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. Ver. 14. Served Eylon … eighteen years.] Eight years they served Chusanrishathaim, now Eglon eighteen, and afterwards Jabin twenty. With the froward God will wrestle; neither will God give to much punishing, till men do sinning; but punish them seven times more; for is it fit that he should lay down the bucklers first, and not get the better of them?
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 3:14
(14) Served Eglon.—One instance of that receiving of “a yoke of iron” which had been threatened as a punishment of apostasy (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). The narrative, however, shows that the Moabite dominion did not extend beyond the borders of Ephraim (Judges 3:13).
Cambridge Bible on Judges 3:14
12–30. Ehud delivers Israel from Moab The story of Ehud is furnished by the editor with an introduction (Judges 3:12-15 a) and conclusion (Judges 3:30) in his usual manner. The narrative thus enclosed is one of the oldest in the Book; it has the freshness and vigour which belong to the best style of Hebrew story-telling. Traces of editorial interference may perhaps be detected here and there, Judges 3:19-20; Judges 3:22-23; Judges 3:27-28 are taken by some to be doublets; but the narrative as a whole (Judges 3:15-29) is homogeneous. The Moabites, whose territory lay on the E. of the Dead Sea and reached northwards probably to the fords of the Jordan, had crossed the river, occupied Jericho, and reduced the Israelites of the neighbourhood. The Benjamites were the principal sufferers; and it was the Benjamite hero Ehud who, by a clever and courageous stratagem, freed his countrymen from the tyrant. By the Dtc. compiler the subjugation and deliverance are extended so as to affect all Israel.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 3:14
14. Served Eglon — That is, were tributary. Judges 3:8, note. Eighteen years — We cannot estimate the length of the period of Israel’s idolatry from the duration of their punishment.
Sermons on Judges 3:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Basics) 17. Dead Works by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of being a cheerful giver in the eyes of God. He references 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states that God loves a cheerful giver. T |
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Desiring God - Lesson 3 by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper discusses the concept of Christian hedonism, which is the belief that our highest duty is to pursue delight in God. He argues that there are bibli |
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An Ambition to Please God by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having an ambition as Christians, focusing on pleasing God whether in heaven or on earth. It highlights the need to prioritize pleasing God |
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A Time for Everything by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the destructive power of one sentence spoken by a carnal Christian. He warns against being a tail bearer or gossip, as revealing secrets can |
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Feel by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing emotions and affections in the pursuit of maximum joy in God. He acknowledges that he may not have suffered as |
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The Self-Centered Person's Attitude to God by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen addresses the self-centered person's attitude towards God, emphasizing that legalistic service stems from a desire for reward rather than genuine love. He illustrates th |
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Serving the Lord With Gladness by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God desires His people to serve Him with joy and gladness, rooted in the understanding of His tender love and ongoing work in their lives. He warns |