Judges 2

Judges 2:1

ANgel] Which was the sonne of God himselfe, who from time to time appeared in humane shape, as the great Captaine of the people; and therefore here attributeth unto himself the works of God, see Ex. 14. 19. and 23. 20. and 33. 14. Ios. 5. 13, 14. Iodg. 6. 12. and 13. 3 Came up] From Gilgal, where he first appeared to Ioshua, Iosh. 5. 13. hee now appeared again in Bochim: here so called by anticipation, vers. 5.

Judges 2:3

A snare] A cause of rine, and perdition; through the idolatry which you shall commit with them, drawne thereunto by the society which you hold with these nations. Exodus 23:33. Deuteronomy 7:1-26; Deuteronomy 16:1-22.

Judges 2:4

Spake] It is very likely that hee spake through the high Priest, or Ioshua himselfe.

Judges 2:5

Bochim] That is to say, the place of weeping.

Judges 2:9

Timnath-Heres] It seemeth that by reason of the abommation of the idolatry which was here done to the Sun (for Heres in Hebrew signifieth the Sun) this place was afterward by transposition of, letters called Timnath-ra, Ios. 19. 50. and 2. 0. as upon the same occasion the like change was made, of many other proper names.

Judges 2:10

Which knew not] Which was not present at the time of those miraculous works, and manifestations: and had not the experience, nor lively impression thereof, as they who had been eye-witnesses of it.

Judges 2:11

Did evil] By this ordinary circumlocution is meant idolatry, which is the sinne which above all other sinnes offends Gods Majesty Baalim] The generall name of all the Canaanean, Caldean, and Syrian idols, and signifieth Lords, or Governors. Under this name the Planets were worshipped, to whom the Astrologians attribute some kind of domination in their houses in heaven. Under this name is also the name of Bel comprehended, either single or compounded.

Judges 2:13

Ashtaroth] The generall name of the female idolls of those nations as of Venus-starre amongst the Sidonians, and of the Moone and the earth amongst the Syrians; and it is very likely that from thence is derived the Greek word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Saturne, Mercury, Iupiter, Luna, Pallas, &c. came from the Hebrew.

Judges 2:16

Iudges] Rulers and supream Magistrates who were endowed with heroicall and extraordinary vertues by Gods spirit, and had also a divine calling, as well to rule the people with Laws and judgements, as for to defend them from their enemies by just warre.

Judges 2:17

A whoring] A very frequent terme in Scripture, signifying the unlawfull and shamefull conjunction of the soule with idolls: whereas true and sincere religion is compared to chaste wedlock Their fathers] In Ioshua’s time, and a while after.

Judges 2:18

It repented] See upon Genesis 6:6.

Judges 2:19

Then their fathers] The ancientest, in Egypt, and in the wildernesse: They ceased not] they imitated, yea went beyond the examples of their wicked fore-fathers.

Judges 2:22

I may prove] This was Gods end, when he left these Nations in Joshua’s time, for afterwards, this triall having an evill issue, they served no longer for trials, but for scourges and instruments of revenge.