Judges 4:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 4:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, when Ehud was dead.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, when Ehud was dead.
Judges 4:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, when Ehud was dead.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, etc.] Which was the fruit and effect of the long rest and peace they enjoyed; and which is often the case of a people favoured with peace, plenty, and prosperity, who are apt to abuse their mercies, and forget God, the author and giver of them; and the principal evil, though not expressed, was idolatry, worshipping Baalim, the gods of the nations about them; though it is highly probable they were guilty of other sins, which they indulged in the times of their peace and prosperity: when Ehud was dead; Shamgar is not mentioned, because his time of judging Israel was short, and the people were not reformed in his time, but fell…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“DEBORAH AND BARAK DELIVER ISRAEL FROM JABIN AND SISERA. (Jdg. 4:1-17) The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead--The removal of the zealous judge Ehud again left his infatuated countrymen without the restraint of religion.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 2699, bc 1305, An, Ex, Is, 186 did evil: Jdg 2:11, Jdg 2:19, Jdg 2:20, Jdg 3:7, Jdg 3:12, Jdg 6:1, Jdg 10:6; Lev 26:23-25; Neh 9:23-30; Psa 106:43-45; Jer 5:3 Judges 4:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Victory over Jabin and His General Sisera. - Jdg 4:1-3. As the Israelites fell away from the Lord again when Ehud was dead, the Lord gave them into the hand of the Canaanitish king Jabin, who oppressed them severely for twenty years with a powerful army under Sisera his general. The circumstantial clause, "when Ehud was dead," places the falling away of the Israelites from God in direct causal connection with the death of Ehud on the one hand, and the deliverance of Israel into the power of Jabin on the other, and clearly indicates that as long as Ehud lived he kept the people from idolatry (cf. Jdg 2:18-19), and defended Israel from hostile oppressions. Joshua had already conquered one…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification