Judges — Chapter 10
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1After the time of Abimelech, a man of Issachar, Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose up to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim.
2Tola judged Israel twenty-three years, and when he died, he was buried in Shamir.
3Tola was followed by Jair the Gileadite, who judged Israel twenty-two years.
4He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys. And they had thirty towns in the land of Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth-jair.
5When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon.
6And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him.
7So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,
8who that very year harassed and oppressed the Israelites, and they did so for eighteen years to all the Israelites on the other side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites.
9The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim, and Israel was in deep distress.
10Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.”
11The LORD replied, “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines,
12Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites oppressed you and you cried out to Me, did I not save you from their hands?
13But you have forsaken Me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you.
14Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you in your time of trouble.”
15“We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!”
16So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.
17Then the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, and the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah.
18And the rulers of Gilead said to one another, “Whoever will launch the attack against the Ammonites will be the head of all who live in Gilead.”
1And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.
2And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
3And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.
4And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.
5And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.
6And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
7And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.
8And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
9Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.
10And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.
11And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?
12The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
13Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.
14Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.
15And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.
16And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
17Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.
18And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
1And after Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in the hill-country of Ephraim.
2And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
3And after him arose Jair, the Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty and two years.
4And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.
5And Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.
6And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and served the Baalim, and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook Jehovah, and served him not.
7And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.
8And they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel that year: eighteen years [oppressed they] all the children of Israel that were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
9And the children of Ammon passed over the Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.
10And the children of Israel cried unto Jehovah, saying, We have sinned against thee, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Baalim.
11And Jehovah said unto the children of Israel, [Did] not [I save you] from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?
12The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried unto me, and I saved you out of their hand.
13Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will save you no more.
14Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.
15And the children of Israel said unto Jehovah, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; only deliver us, we pray thee, this day.
16And they put away the foreign gods from among them, and served Jehovah; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
17Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpah.
18And the people, the princes of Gilead, said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
1After Abimelech’s death, Tola son of Puah, grandson of Dodo, from the tribe of Issachar, rose up to deliver Israel. He lived in Shamir in the Ephraimite hill country.
2He led Israel for 23 years, then died and was buried in Shamir.
3Jair the Gileadite rose up after him; he led Israel for 22 years.
4He had 30 sons who rode on 30 donkeys and possessed 30 cities. To this day these towns are called Havvoth Jair—they are in the land of Gilead.
5Jair died and was buried in Kamon.
6The Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths, as well as the gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, the Ammonites, and the Philistines. They abandoned the Lord and did not worship him.
7The Lord was furious with Israel and turned them over to the Philistines and Ammonites.
8They ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites that eighteenth year—that is, all the Israelites living east of the Jordan in Amorite country in Gilead.
9The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight with Judah, Benjamin, and Ephraim. Israel suffered greatly.
10The Israelites cried out for help to the Lord: “We have sinned against you. We abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals.”
11The Lord said to the Israelites, “Did I not deliver you from Egypt, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines,
12the Sidonians, Amalek, and Midian when they oppressed you? You cried out for help to me, and I delivered you from their power.
13But since you abandoned me and worshiped other gods, I will not deliver you again.
14Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen! Let them deliver you from trouble!”
15But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. You do to us as you see fit, but deliver us today!”
16They threw away the foreign gods they owned and worshiped the Lord. Finally the Lord grew tired of seeing Israel suffer so much.
17The Ammonites assembled and camped in Gilead; the Israelites gathered together and camped in Mizpah.
18The leaders of Gilead said to one another, “Who is willing to lead the charge against the Ammonites? He will become the leader of all who live in Gilead!”
1After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
2He judged Israel twenty-three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.
3After him Jair, the Gileadite arose, and he judged Israel twenty-two years.
4He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkey colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead.
5Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.
6The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals, the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh, and didn’t serve him.
7Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the children of Ammon.
8They troubled and oppressed the children of Israel that year. For eighteen years, they oppressed all the children of Israel that were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
9The children of Ammon passed over the Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was very distressed.
10The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, saying, “We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Baals.”
11Yahweh said to the children of Israel, “Didn’t I save you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?
12The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand.
13Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods. Therefore I will save you no more.
14Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen. Let them save you in the time of your distress!”
15The children of Israel said to Yahweh, “We have sinned! Do you to us whatever seems good to you; only deliver us, please, today.”
16They put away the foreign gods from among them, and served Yahweh; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
17Then the children of Ammon were gathered together and encamped in Gilead. The children of Israel assembled themselves together and encamped in Mizpah.
18The people, the princes of Gilead, said to one another, “Who is the man who will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”
Summary
After Abimelech, Tola of Issachar judges Israel twenty-three years (vv. 1-2), followed by Jair the Gileadite, whose thirty sons ride thirty donkeys and control thirty towns known as Havvoth-jair, for twenty-two more years (vv. 3-5). Israel again turns to idols, serving the gods of the surrounding nations, so the LORD's anger delivers them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites, who oppress Israel severely for eighteen years, especially east of the Jordan (vv. 6-9). When the people cry out and confess their sin, the LORD initially refuses to save them again, telling them to cry to the gods they chose instead (vv. 10-14), but relents in compassion after Israel puts away its foreign gods and pleads for deliverance (vv. 15-16). As the Ammonites mass for battle in Gilead, Israel gathers at Mizpah, and the leaders of Gilead ask who will lead the fight, promising that man headship over the whole region (vv. 17-18), setting up the introduction of Jephthah in the next chapter.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Tola: From Issachar, dwells in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim (central highlands)
- Jair: A Gileadite — operates in Transjordan (30 cities in Gilead called Havvoth-jair)
- Oppression comes from both sides: Philistines from the west (coastal plain) and Ammonites from the east (Transjordan)
Places on this map
- Gileadnorthern JordanThe wooded highlands east of the Jordan between the Yarmuk and the Arnon, good grazing country and a source of the resin traded as balm. Being across the river left its tribes perpetually worried about being written out of Israel. Wikipedia
- Ephraimcentral West BankThe central hill country north of Benjamin, the largest and best watered of the northern territories. It dominated the north so thoroughly that the prophets use Ephraim to mean the whole northern kingdom. Wikipedia
- Transjordanwestern JordanEverything east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea: the plateau taken before the river was crossed and settled by Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh, who then spent centuries anxious about being counted out. Wikipedia
- Philistiasouthern coastal Israel and GazaThe coastal plain south of Joppa, held by a league of five cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath and Ekron. Flat, fertile and on the trade road, it gave the Philistines chariots and iron while Israel held the hills above them. Wikipedia
- AmmonAmman, JordanThe plateau at the desert's edge east of Gilead, with its capital Rabbah at the head of a wadi where modern Amman still preserves the name. Squeezed between the desert and Israel, it spent its history pushing west whenever Israel was weak. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes God's "tough love" in vv.13-14 — He refuses to be a convenience God, called upon only in emergencies while ignored in prosperity. The dialogue forces Israel to choose: either their idols are sufficient or they are not. God's apparent refusal produces genuine repentance.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Judges -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Total Abandonment, Not Just Addition (v.6) — Israel didn't just add other gods alongside the LORD; they served seven nations' gods and forsook Him entirely. Is there anything competing for first place in your life that's quietly become a replacement rather than an addition?
- Exposing the Idols We Really Trust (v.14) — God tells Israel to go cry out to the gods they'd chosen instead, forcing them to face how powerless those gods actually were. When trouble hits, what do you instinctively turn to before you turn to God?
- Surrender Without Conditions (v.15) — Israel's response holds no bargaining, only a plea for God to do as He sees fit as long as He delivers them. Can you approach God with that kind of surrender, or do you still negotiate the terms?
- Repentance That Removes the Idol (v.16) — Israel didn't just confess; they actually put away the foreign gods, and God's heart was moved with compassion for their suffering. Does your repentance include actually removing what you confessed, or just naming it?