Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 2:5
And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.
5. Bochim ] i.e. ‘Weepers.’ The author sees in this name of the place a recollection of the Angel’s reproof and the people’s repentance. But such a form as Bochim, active ptcp. plur., is very unusual in a place-name, and it has probably been adapted to suit the present occasion. Originally the name may have been Bekaim ‘balsam-trees,’ cf. 2Sa 5:23 f.; Psa 84:6 (see RVm.).
and they sacrificed there ] i.e. in Beth-el; see on Jdg 2:1 a, to which this sentence belongs. The appearance of the Angel consecrates the place, and an altar henceforward marks it as a sanctuary; cf. Jdg 6:24, Jdg 13:15-20, 2Sa 24:16; 2Sa 24:18. Another ancient tradition carried back the consecration of Beth-el to the times of the patriarch Jacob, Genesis 28, 35; according to the later view of the Priestly writer the religious centre of Israel was not at Beth-el, but at Shiloh, Jos 18:1; Jos 19:51; cf. ch. Jdg 21:12 n.
Bochim – i. e. weepers. It was near Shechem, but the site is unknown. Compare the names given to places for similar reasons in Gen 35:8; Gen 50:11. Verse 5. They called the name of that place Bochim] The word bochim signifies weepings or lamentations; and is translated by the Septuagint or , bewailings; and it is supposed that the place derived its name from these lamentations of the people. Some think the place itself, where the people were now assembled, was Shiloh, now named Bochim because of the above circumstance. It should be observed, that the angel speaks here in the person of God, by whom he was sent; as the prophets frequently do. For the expiation of their sins, by which they had provoked God to this resolution; and for the regaining of Gods favour. And they called the name of that place Bochim,…. Which signifies “weepers”, from the general lamentation of the people, which before had another name; very probably it was Shiloh itself since all Israel was gathered together, the tabernacle being now at Shiloh, and also because sacrifices were offered up, as follows:
and they sacrificed there unto the Lord; to atone for the sins they had committed; and if they did this in the faith of the great sacrifice of the Messiah, they did well; however, so far there was an acknowledgment of their, guilt, and a compliance with the appointments of God directed to in such cases.
(5) Bochim.(Comp. Gen. 35:8; Gen. 1:11.) It was like the Jews wailing-place in modern Jerusalem.
They sacrificed there unto the Lord.It is not necessary to infer from this that Bochim must have been near the sanctuary at Bethel, Shechem, or Shiloh. Not only did kings and prophets seem to be tacitly excepted from the general rule against offering sacrifice at any place except the chosen sanctuary, but also sacrifice was always freely offered at places where there had been any manifestation of the Divine PresenceJdg. 6:20 (Gideon); Jdg. 22:19 (Manoah); 2Sa. 24:25 (David), &c. On the other hand, it is improbable that all Israel would have been assembled at some unknown place, or that the memory of such a spot should not have been preserved.
5. They sacrificed there Seeking by propitiatory offerings to turn away the wrath of God, and obtain mercy and forgiveness of their sins. Where the Lord appeared there was a place sufficiently holy for the offering of sacrifices.
Jdg 2:5 And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.
Ver. 5. And they called the name of that place Bochim, ] i.e., Weepers. As they had formerly filled God’s bag with their sins; so now they help as fast to fill God’s bottle with their tears. Their hearts were as so many Hadadrimmons. Zec 12:11
“ Sic faciles motus mens generosa capit. ”
And they sacrificed there unto the Lord. Bochim: that is, Weepers, Gen 35:8, Jos 7:26
they sacrificed: Jdg 6:24, Jdg 13:19, 1Sa 7:9
Reciprocal: Jdg 2:1 – Bochim 2Ki 22:19 – wept Ezr 3:13 – the noise Ezr 10:1 – very sore Luk 7:38 – weeping 2Co 7:7 – mourning
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge