Discovery BoxJudges 2:3 
Context2:3 At that time I also warned you, 1 ‘If you disobey, 2 I will not drive out the Canaanites 3 before you. They will ensnare you 4 and their gods will lure you away.’” 5
Judges 6:35
Context6:35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh and summoned them to follow him as well. 6 He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet him.
Judges 9:20
Context9:20 But if not, may fire blaze from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo! May fire also blaze from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and consume Abimelech!”
Judges 9:49
Context9:49 So each of his men also cut off a branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branches 7 against the stronghold and set fire to it. 8 All the people 9 of the Tower of Shechem died – about a thousand men and women.
1 tn Heb “And I also said.” The use of the perfect tense here suggests that the messenger is recalling an earlier statement (see Josh 23:12-13). However, some translate, “And I also say,” understanding the following words as an announcement of judgment upon those gathered at Bokim.
2 tn The words “If you disobey” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See Josh 23:12-13.
3 tn Heb “them”; the referent (the Canaanites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צִדִּים (tsiddim) is uncertain in this context. It may be related to an Akkadian cognate meaning “snare.” If so, a more literal translation would be “they will become snares to you.” Normally the term in question means “sides,” but this makes no sense here. On the basis of Num 33:55 some suggest the word for “thorns” has been accidentally omitted. If this word is added, the text would read, “they will become [thorns] in your sides” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).
5 tn Heb “their gods will become a snare to you.”
6 tn Heb “and he also was summoned after him.”
7 tn The words “the branches” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
8 tn Heb “they kindled over them the stronghold with fire.”
9 tn Or “men,” but the word seems to have a more general sense here, as the conclusion to the sentence suggests.
