Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

JUDGES 3:8KJV
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Judges 3:8 (KJV)

What does Judges 3:8 mean?

Judges 3:8 says that because the Israelites angered the LORD, He allowed them to be conquered and ruled for eight years by Chushanrishathaim, a king from Mesopotamia. This verse explains a period when Israel was under foreign control as a direct result of their disobedience to God.

In the setting of Judges 3:8, the narrator is describing a cycle common in the book of Judges: Israel turns away from God, God’s anger is stirred, and He allows another nation to oppress them. The verse highlights the seriousness of Israel’s actions and introduces Chushanrishathaim, whose rule marks the first oppression in the Judges period. The people’s suffering under this foreign king sets the stage for their eventual cry for help and God’s deliverance.

The Hebrew behind Judges 3:8

  • "anger" (אַף, 'aph, H639): This word literally means "nose" or "nostrils," but is often used in Hebrew to describe anger, as if someone is breathing hard in frustration. Here, it emphasizes the intensity of God’s response to Israel’s actions.
  • "hot" (חָרָה, charah, H2734): This verb means to burn or be kindled, describing anger that is fierce or blazing. The phrase "the anger of the LORD was hot" uses strong imagery to show how deeply God was offended.
  • "sold" (מָכַר, makar, H4376): This term means to hand over or sell, often used in the context of slavery or loss of freedom. It shows that God actively allowed Israel to fall under the power of another nation, not just passively letting it happen.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad, H3027): In Hebrew, being given into someone’s "hand" means coming under their control or power. It is a common way to describe being conquered or dominated.

Why Judges 3:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s suffering was not random but directly connected to their choices and God’s response, which is a key theme throughout Judges.
  • The use of strong language for God’s anger and the idea of being "sold" into another’s hand highlights the seriousness of turning away from God in this narrative.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the pattern in Judges: disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, which repeats throughout the book and shapes its message.

Where else these words appear

“Chushanrishathaim” Hebrew H3573 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

“Mesopotamia” Hebrew H763 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
  • Deuteronomy 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

“sold” Hebrew H4376 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
  • Leviticus 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
  • Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

“hot” Hebrew H2734 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.