Judges 2:4

4 When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.

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 For your part, do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; tear down their altars.' But you have not obeyed my command. See what you have done!
3 So now I say, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become adversaries to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you."
4 When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept.
5 So they named that place Bochim, and there they sacrificed to the Lord.
6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the Israelites all went to their own inheritances to take possession of the land.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.