Judges 10:16 (KJV)

What does Judges 10:16 mean?

Judges 10:16 describes how the people of Israel got rid of the foreign gods they had been worshipping and turned back to serving the LORD. The verse also says that God’s soul was troubled by the suffering of Israel, showing that He cared about their distress.

In the story, the Israelites had fallen into worshipping other gods, which led to their oppression by enemies. After repenting, they removed these "strange gods" and returned to serving the LORD. The verse highlights both the people’s change of heart and God’s compassionate response to their misery.

The Hebrew behind Judges 10:16

• "Strange" (נֵכָר, nekar): This word means "foreign" or "alien," emphasizing that these gods were not part of Israel’s faith but came from surrounding nations.
• "Gods" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim): This is a general word for gods or divine beings, showing that Israel had adopted worship practices from other cultures.
• "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): Here, it refers to God’s inner being or emotional core, suggesting a deep, personal response to Israel’s pain.
• "Grieved" (קָצַר, qatsar): This word often means to be impatient or troubled, so the verse pictures God as being deeply affected, almost distressed, by seeing Israel suffer.

Why Judges 10:16 matters

• This verse clarifies that God is not distant or indifferent; He is moved by the suffering of His people, even after they have failed Him.
• The verse marks a turning point in the story, showing that true repentance involves both actions (removing foreign gods) and a return to serving the LORD.
• The description of God’s response helps readers understand the relationship between Israel and God as one of genuine care and emotional connection, not just rules and consequences.