Bible Strands
Judges 10:16
So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes Israel’s actions after their confession in Judges 10:15 and immediately before the Ammonite mobilization in Judges 10:17. The people act in preparation for the impending military crisis.
The words — וַ/יָּסִ֜ירוּ (va/i.ya.Si.ru) literally means "and they removed," denoting the deliberate act of discarding foreign gods. יְהוָ֑ה (Yah.weh) identifies the specific deity they subsequently served in place of those idols.
The thread — Divine response to national distress appears in Isaiah 63:9 and Psalms 106:44, while covenantal purification parallels the idol removal in 2 Chronicles 15:8. These passages track the same pattern of repentance preceding intervention.
Why it lands — The text first records Israel’s removal of idols and service to Yahweh, then states God’s reaction to their misery. It requires the reader to note that covenant realignment precedes divine action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
- Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress.
- 2 Chronicles 15:8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.
- Jeremiah 31:20 Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.
- Hosea 11:8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
- Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
- Jeremiah 18:7 At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed.
- Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
- Luke 19:41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it