And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;

JUDGES 6:9KJV
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Judges 6:9 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:9 mean?

Judges 6:9 describes how God reminds the Israelites that He rescued them from the power of the Egyptians and from all who oppressed them, driving out their enemies and giving the Israelites their land. The verse highlights God's past acts of deliverance and generosity toward His people.

In this passage, God is speaking through a prophet to the Israelites during a time when they are suffering under Midianite oppression. God recounts His actions in freeing them from slavery in Egypt and removing those who previously occupied the Promised Land. This reminder is meant to show the Israelites that their current troubles are not because God has failed them, but because they have turned away from Him.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:9

  • "Delivered" (נָצַל, natsal) means to snatch away or rescue. Here, it emphasizes God's active role in saving the Israelites from danger, not just passively allowing them to escape.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad) is used twice, referring to the "hand of the Egyptians" and "hand of all that oppressed you." In Hebrew, "hand" often represents power or control, so God is saying He freed them from those who had power over them.
  • "Out" (גָּרַשׁ, garash) is translated as "drave them out." This word often means to expel or force out, showing that God didn't just help the Israelites settle in the land—He actively removed the previous inhabitants.
  • "Land" (אֶרֶץ, erets) refers to the territory or country. God giving them the land underscores the idea of a promised inheritance, not just a place to live.

Why Judges 6:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel's possession of the land was not by their own strength, but by God's intervention and gift.
  • It connects to the larger context of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly forget God's past help and turn to other gods, leading to cycles of oppression.
  • The verse emphasizes God's faithfulness and the seriousness of the Israelites' disobedience, setting up the reason for their current suffering under foreign powers.

Where else these words appear

“oppressed” Hebrew H3905 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 3:9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
  • Judges 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
  • 2 Kings 13:22 But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

“out” Hebrew H1644 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • Leviticus 21:7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
  • 1 Chronicles 17:21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?