Judges 11:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 11:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; but the king of Edom hearkened not. And in like manner he sent unto the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel abode in Kadesh.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; but the king of Edom hearkened not. And in like manner he sent unto the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel abode in Kadesh.
Judges 11:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; but the king of Edom hearkened not. And in like manner he sent unto the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, etc.] The history of which may be read in (<042014>Numbers 20:14), etc. saying, let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; the land of Edom, from the south to the north of it, according to Jarchi, which was the nearest and shortest way to the land of Canaan; so far were the Israelites from invading and seizing upon the properties of others, that they would not attempt to set their foot in another’s country without leave; which they asked in an humble manner, promising to do no injury to any, but pay for whatever they ate and drank in their passage: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto; or grant their request, but refused them…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Consult the marginal references. If the ark with the copy of the Law Deuteronomy 31:26 was at Mizpeh, it would account for Jephthah’s accurate knowledge of it; and this exact agreement of his message with Numbers and Deuteronomy would give additional force to the expression, “he uttered all his words before the Lord” Judges 11:11. Judges 11:17 No mention is made of this embassy to Moab in the Pentateuch. Judges 11:19 Into my place - This expression implies that the trans-Jordanic possessions of Israel were not included in the land of Canaan properly speaking. Judges 11:21 The title “God of Israel” has a special emphasis here, and in Judges 11:23. in a narrative of transactions relating to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Abode - Peaceably, and did not revenge their unkindness as they could have done. Judges 11:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sent messengers: Num 20:14-21; Deu 2:4-8, Deu 2:29 the king: Deu 2:9 abode: Num 20:1, Num 20:16 Judges 11:18”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification