Bible Strands
Judges 2:20
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh speaks to Israel after the death of a judge, when the people resume idolatry and refuse to abandon their corrupt practices. He announces His judicial response to their breach of the ancestral covenant.
The words — The text highlights אַ֥ף ('af) for "anger" and עָבְר֜וּ ('a.ve.Ru) for "transgressed," linking divine wrath directly to covenant violation. The verb וַ/יִּֽחַר־ (va/i.yi.char) literally means "and it burned," describing the intensity of Yahweh's reaction against Israel.
The thread — This declaration continues the cycle in Judges 2:14 where Yahweh's anger results in military defeat, and reflects the covenant structure detailed in Joshua 23:16 regarding the consequences of breaking divine commands.
Why it lands — The verse establishes that persistent idolatry and covenant disobedience directly provoke divine judgment. It requires a reader to recognize that spiritual compromise carries immediate, consequential repercussions rather than passive tolerance.
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 the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;
Cross-references
- Judges 2:14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.
- Joshua 23:16 If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.”
- Exodus 24:3 When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.”
- Exodus 32:10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
- Deuteronomy 29:10 All of you are standing today before the LORD your God—you leaders of tribes, elders, officials, and all the men of Israel,
- Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains.
- Joshua 24:21 “No!” replied the people. “We will serve the LORD!”
- Judges 3:8 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.
- Judges 10:7 So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,
- Jeremiah 31:32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.