Judges 3:11

11 The land was quiet for forty years. Then 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 People of Israel cried out to God and God raised up a savior who rescued them: Caleb's nephew Othniel, son of his younger brother Kenaz.The Spirit of God came on him and he rallied Israel. He went out to war and God gave him Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. Othniel made short work of him.
11 The land was quiet for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
12 But the People of Israel went back to doing evil in God's sight. So God made Eglon king of Moab a power against Israel because they did evil in God's sight.
13 He recruited the Ammonites and Amalekites and went out and struck Israel. They took the City of Palms.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.