Israel Rebuked at Bochim

1Now the angel (Angel)a of the LORD {YHWH} went up from Gilgal (a wheel) to Bochim (weeping) and said, “I brought you⁺ up out of Egypt (land of bondage) and led you⁺ into the land that I had promised to your⁺ fathers, and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you⁺, 2and you⁺ are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you⁺ shall tear down their altars.’

Yet you⁺ have not obeyed My voice. What is this you⁺ have done? 3So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you⁺; they will be thorns in your⁺ sides, and their gods will be a snare to you⁺.”

4When the angel of the LORD {YHWH} had spoken these words to all the Israelites (God prevails), the people lifted up their voices and wept. 5So they called that place Bochim (weepers)b and offered sacrifices there to the LORD {YHWH}.

Joshua’s Death and Burial
(Joshua 24:29–33)

6After Joshua (YHWH saves) had dismissed the people, the Israelites (God prevails) went out to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 7And the people served the LORD {YHWH} throughout the days of Joshua (YHWH saves) and of the elders who outlived him, who had seen all the great works that the LORD had done for Israel (he wrestles with God).

8And Joshua (YHWH saves) son of Nun (fish / posterity), the servant of the LORD {YHWH}, died at the age of 110. 9They buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath-heres (portion of the sun)c in the hill country of Ephraim (doubly fruitful), north of Mount Gaash (quaking).

Israel’s Unfaithfulness
(Isaiah 43:22–28; Jeremiah 2:23–37)

10After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD {YHWH} or the works that He had done for Israel (he wrestles with God). 11And the Israelites (God prevails) did evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH} and served the Baals (lord).

12Thus they forsook the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt (land of bondage), and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, 13for they forsook Him {YHWH} and served Baal (lord) and the Ashtoreths (star).

14Then the anger of the LORD {YHWH} burned against Israel (he wrestles with God), and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them \of plunderers who plundered them/.d He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. 15Wherever Israel marched out, the hand of the LORD {YHWH} was against them to bring calamity, just as He had sworn to them. So they were greatly distressed.

Judges Raised Up

16Then the LORD {YHWH} raised up judges (governors),e who saved them from the hands of those who plundered them.

17Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s {YHWH} commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done.

18Whenever the LORD {YHWH} raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them. 19But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

20So the anger of the LORD {YHWH} burned against Israel (he wrestles with God), and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice, 21I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua (YHWH saves) left when he died. 22In this way I will test whether Israel (he wrestles with God) will keep the way of the LORD {YHWH} by walking in it as their fathers did.”

23That is why the LORD {YHWH} had left those nations in place and had not driven them out immediately by delivering them into the hand of Joshua (YHWH saves).