The Nations Left to Test Israel

31 These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan 2 (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):

Other Translations of Judges 3:1-2

King James Version

The Nations Left to Test Israel

31 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

English Standard Version

The Nations Left to Test Israel

31 Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. 2 It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before.

The Message

The Nations Left to Test Israel

31 These are the nations that God left there, using them to test the Israelites who had no experience in the Canaanite wars. 2 He did it to train the descendants of Israel, the ones who had no battle experience, in the art of war.

New King James Version

The Nations Left to Test Israel

31 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan 2 (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it),

New Living Translation

The Nations Left to Test Israel

31 These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. 2 He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 3:1-2

Commentary on Judges 3:1-7

(Read Judges 3:1-7)

As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Temptations and trials detect the wickedness of the hearts of sinners; and strengthen he graces of believers in their daily conflict with Satan, sin, and this evil world. They must live in this world, but they are not of it, and are forbidden to conform to it. This marks the difference between the followers of Christ and mere professors. The friendship of the world is more fatal than its enmity; the latter can only kill the body, but the former murders many precious souls.