2:1 the angel of Yahweh See Exod 3:2 and note.

Angels in the Bible Table

from Gilgal The place Israel stacked 12 stones taken from the Jordan River after crossing it to enter Canaan (Josh 4:20). Gilgal was also where Israel conducted the ceremony of circumcision for the males of the new generation and observed the first Passover in the land (Josh 5). As Joshua’s headquarters, Gilgal may have had a symbolic status as the center of Yahweh’s activity—so the angel comes from there to judge Israel (Josh 9:6; 10:6–9, 15, 43; 14:6).

I brought you up from Egypt See Exod 12–14.

I had promised to your ancestors See Gen 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 28:13; 35:12.

2:2 do not make a covenant See Deut 7:2.

break down their altars See Deut 12:3.

2:3 I will not drive them out from before you God’s promise to complete the conquest by expelling the nations (Josh 13:6; 23:5) was contingent on Israel’s faithfulness to His laws, particularly regarding the worship of Yahweh only (Judg 2:21; compare Josh 23:15).

their gods will be a trap for you Faithfulness to Yahweh alone was necessary for Israel to possess the land (see Deut 4:26–28, 40; 5:30–33; 6:16–19; 7:12; 8:1; compare Lev 26).

2:5 Bokim Means “weeping.”

2:7 all the days of the elders Israel served God under Joshua’s leadership and under the leadership of those who had lived to see Yahweh’s work on their behalf in bringing them into the land (Josh 24:31).

2:9 They buried him See note on Judg 2:6–10; Josh 24:29–30.

2:10 that entire generation Not the generation of Joshua directly since only Joshua and Caleb survived to enter Canaan out of the first generation of Israelites who had escaped Egypt (Num 14:26–35). The generation referred to here is likely the next generation who had undertaken the conquest (Num 14:31). On “gathered to their fathers” as a euphemism for death, see note on Gen 25:8.

2:11 did evil The Israelites disobeyed God’s covenant, to which they had sworn allegiance (Josh 24:16–18, 24).

2:12 who brought them out from the land of Egypt See Exod 12–14.

the gods of the people This specifically violated Israel’s covenant with Yahweh (see Judg 2:1–3, 11).

2:13 they served Baal and the Ashtaroth Indicates that Israel began worshiping Canaanite gods, likely with multiple idols at multiple worship sites. Baal was the Canaanite storm god. Astarte was a Canaanite goddess. Both labels are plural in the Hebrew text, suggesting they are used as common nouns for male and female idols dedicated to those deities.

Pagan Deities in the Old Testament Table

2:14 They were unable to withstand their enemies any longer On judgment in the wake of covenant unfaithfulness, see Lev 26:37; Deut 28:25.

2:15 just as Yahweh had sworn to them See Judg 2:3 and note.

2:16 leaders The Hebrew word used here and throughout the book, shophetim, does not necessarily designate arbiters of law. The judges are mainly military leaders. The term refers elsewhere to general political and military leadership (1 Sam 8:5) rather than judicial function. Only Deborah is described as sitting in judgment of the people’s legal cases (Judg 4:4–5; compare Moses’ role in Exod 18:13–16).

2:21 will not again drive out anyone from before them See Judg 2:3; compare Josh 23:13.

2:22 in order to test Israel The people are tested in whether they will stay true to the Law Yahweh had provided, despite foreign influence, and whether they would depend upon Yahweh for their salvation. The people are also supposed to remove the remaining people groups from the promised land (compare note on Josh 6:16).