Judges 2:4

4 And as the angel of Yahweh spoke these words to all the {Israelites}, the people {wept bitterly}.

Judges 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 2:4

And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spake these
words unto all the children of Israel
This being either one of the three solemn feasts, when all the males appeared at the tabernacle of the Lord; or else here was now a solemn convention of all the tribes to inquire of the Lord the reason why they were not able to drive out the Canaanites in some places, and why they prevailed over them in many:

that the people lift up their voice, and wept;
being affected with what the angel said, and convicted in their consciences of their sins, and so fearing the bad consequences thereof, they wept because of the sins they had been guilty of, and because of the evils that were like to befall them on account of them.

Judges 2:4 In-Context

2 And [as for] you, do not {make a covenant} with the inhabitants of this land; break down their altars.' But you did not listen to my voice. {Why would you do such a thing}?

3 Now I say, I will not drive them out from before you; they will {become as thorns} for you, and their gods will be a trap for you."

4 And as the angel of Yahweh spoke these words to all the {Israelites}, the people {wept bitterly}.

5 And they called the name of this place Bokim, and there they sacrificed to Yahweh.

6 And Joshua sent the people away, and the {Israelites} went each to their own inheritance to take possession of the land.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"
• [b]. Literally "lifted up their voices and they wept"