Judges 10:9
In the book of Judges, we encounter a tense period when *“the sons of Ammon crossed the Jordan to fight also against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed”* (v.9). The Jordan River, a central waterway in the ancient Near East, formed a natural boundary between the land of Israel and surrounding nations. By crossing it, the Ammonites inflicted fear on multiple tribes, which included Judah—descended from Jacob’s fourth son, Benjamin—descended from Jacob’s twelfth son, and Ephraim—descended from Joseph’s lineage. Historically, this event took place during the time of the Judges, roughly between the 14th and 11th centuries BC, a season when leaders called judges rose to deliver Israel from her oppressors before the establishment of the monarchy.
*“The sons of Ammon crossed the Jordan”* (v.9) also implies a deeply spiritual crisis for Israel. The people, who were in a covenant relationship with the LORD, had once again forsaken His commandments. In response, God used the rising threat of the Ammonites to remind Israel of their dependence on Him. Although no single judge is named in this specific verse, this context leads to the appearance of Jephthah in Judges 11, who would soon deliver the nation from the oppression of Ammon. This sequence foreshadows the pattern found throughout Scripture where God allows hardship to draw His people back into fellowship with Him—a theme ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who delivers believers from the oppression of sin (Romans 5:6-8 NASB-95).
The geographical detail—Ammon’s crossing of the Jordan River—highlights the severity of Israel’s plight. Judah, one of the largest tribes, occupied the southern region near Jerusalem; Benjamin settled between Judah and the northern tribes; and Ephraim’s territory lay to the north of Benjamin, near the central highlands. Seeing the Ammonites boldly challenge these tribes demonstrated Israel’s grave danger and signaled the urgent need for divine intervention.
Israel’s dire circumstances vividly show the nation’s vulnerability and the necessity for genuine repentance and trust in the LORD.
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 5:9-11 meaning. This passage continues Deborah’s song of victory, praising the leaders and volunteers of Israel for their courage in battle. She calls on various groups in Israel to join in celebrating the Lord’s righteous deeds, which brought deliverance to the oppressed people. The song emphasizes the importance of remembering and recounting God’s works, as His people now emerge from oppression to freedom.
- Hosea 10:9-15 meaning. The LORD announces judgment on Israel because she has been guilty of rebellion and gross immorality since the days of the gruesome episode of wickedness in Gibeah. God exhorts Israel to cease its exploitative and violent wickedness, and start loving one another, as they had promised to do in their covenant with God. Israel has trusted in her military/political establishment rather than trusting in the LORD, and will now be destroyed by a superior force.
- Judges 3:9-11 meaning. In response to Israel’s cry for help, God raises up Othniel, who delivers the Israelites from the oppression of Cushan-rishathaim. Empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, Othniel leads Israel to victory and ushers in a period of peace that lasts forty years.