Judges 3:11

11 Then the land was peaceful[a] 40 years, and Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Judges 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 3:11

And the land had rest forty years
As it should seem from the time of this deliverance; though, according to Ben Gersom and Abarbinel, the eight years' servitude are to be included in them; and Bishop Usher F18 reckons these forty years from the rest first settled in the land by Joshua; but the former sense seems best:

and Othniel the son of Kenaz died:
not at the end of the forty years; it is not likely he should live so long, but when he died is not certain; Eusebius F19 says he judged Israel fifty years.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 Anual. Vet. Test. p. 42.
F19 Evangel. Praepar. l. 1O. c. 14. p. 502.

Judges 3:11 In-Context

9 The Israelites cried out to the Lord. So the Lord raised up Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's youngest brother as a deliverer to save the Israelites.
10 The Spirit of the Lord was on him, and he judged Israel. Othniel went out to battle, and the Lord handed over Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram to him, so that Othniel overpowered him.
11 Then the land was peaceful 40 years, and Othniel son of Kenaz died.
12 The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord's sight.
13 After Eglon convinced the Ammonites and the Amalekites to join forces with him, he attacked and defeated Israel and took possession of the City of Palms.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Jdg 3:30; 5:31; 8:28; 2 Ch 14:1,5-6
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