Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

JUDGES 10:14KJV
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Judges 10:14 (KJV)

What does Judges 10:14 mean?

Judges 10:14 shows God telling the Israelites to call out to the gods they have chosen instead of Him, saying those gods should save them when they are in trouble. This is a statement of rebuke, highlighting that the Israelites have turned away from God to worship other gods, and now face the consequences of that choice.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites after they have repeatedly abandoned Him for other gods and are now suffering because of enemy oppression. God’s words are sharp and ironic, making it clear that since the people have put their trust in other gods, they should not expect His help. The verse sets up the seriousness of Israel’s unfaithfulness and the reality of their situation.

The Hebrew behind Judges 10:14

  • "Cry" (זָעַק, za'aq) means to call out or plead for help, often in desperation. Here, it underlines how the Israelites are being told to desperately seek help from the false gods they preferred.
  • "Gods" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim) is the same word used for the true God and for idols; in this context, it clearly refers to the idols the Israelites have chosen over the Lord.
  • "Chosen" (בָּחַר, bachar) means to select or prefer. God is pointing out that the Israelites made a deliberate choice to follow other gods, not Him.
  • "Deliver" (יָשַׁע, yasha‘) means to save or rescue. God’s challenge is pointed: let these other gods provide the rescue you need, since you trusted them.

Why Judges 10:14 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that God’s help is automatic or unconditional; it shows that turning away from Him has real consequences.
  • Judges 10:14 highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the emptiness of trusting in anything other than God, making the Israelites’ situation painfully clear.
  • The verse connects to the wider pattern in Judges, where Israel repeatedly abandons God, suffers, and then cries out for help, showing the cycle of rebellion and repentance.

Where else these words appear

“them” Hebrew H1992 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  • Numbers 13:3 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

“tribulation” Hebrew H6869 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

“cry” Hebrew H2199 · used in 73 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  • Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.