Judges 10:7
*“The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the sons of Ammon.”* (v.7) In this brief but weighty verse, the book of Judges shows the divine response to Israel’s repeated disobedience. The word burned conveys a fierce, righteous indignation that arises when God’s chosen people abandon their covenant obligations and pursue other gods. Selling them into the hands of their enemies demonstrates that God, who had delivered Israel so many times before, now allows oppression to overtake them as a way to bring the nation to repentance. This judgment echoes the cyclical theme found throughout Judges, where Israel’s sin leads to servitude, and eventually, their contrite cries for deliverance.
By mentioning both the Philistines and the sons of Ammon, the verse highlights two different groups poised to strike at Israel from separate territories. The Philistines lived in the southwestern region of Canaan, near the Mediterranean coast, while the Ammonites dwelled east of the Jordan River in the area of present-day Jordan (Genesis 19:36–38). Their shared hostility toward Israel sets the stage for the nation’s suffering. Historically, this took place during the period of the Judges, roughly between 1380–1050 BC, a time where Israel had no king except the LORD. Again and again, the people forsook God’s ways, only to discover that turning away from Him opened the door to calamity.
Ultimately, this verse reveals not only God’s holiness but also His undying commitment to restore His people whenever they turn back to Him in humility (Judges 2:16–18). Though the LORD’s anger is severe, it is also a means to bring wayward hearts home—foreshadowing the greater redemption in Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness to all who repent and call upon His name (Romans 10:9–13).
God both judges sin and paves the way for redemption.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 2:6-10 meaning. This passage from Judges provides a snapshot of the transition from Joshua’s leadership to the period of the judges, highlighting both continuity and change in Israel’s spiritual and societal landscape.
- Judges 4:4-10 meaning. This passage introduces Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, who calls upon Barak to lead an army against Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s forces. Deborah delivers a divine command to Barak, instructing him to gather ten thousand men and promising victory over Sisera. Barak agrees to go but insists that Deborah accompany him. Deborah agrees, but because of Barak’s fear, Deborah predicts that the honor of victory will ultimately go to a woman. Together, Barak and Deborah lead the forces of Zebulun and Naphtali to battle.
- Amos 9:7-10 meaning. The Suzerain God dismisses Israel’s arrogance and false confidence in themselves and says that He will shake the sinners of His people and kill them by the sword.