Adonoy's emissary went up. We learn in Seder Olam that this was Pinchos.¹²

footnotes: ¹ Son of Elazar, grandson of Aharon Hakohen. (Bemidbar, 25:11.) ² Why is Pinchas entitled מַלְאַךְ ה׳, lit. “an angel of Adonoy”? Because, when visited by the sacred spirit, he was enflamed with radiance. (Vayikra Rabah, A. See Rashi to Yehoshua, 2:4).

To Bochim. The name of a place.³

footnotes: ³ Not literally “weeping”. See vs.4,5.

I took you up. This was My original intent,⁴ to take you up from Mitzrayim—and I did so—with the stipulation that My enemies be ousted.⁵

footnotes: ⁴ The future tense, אַעֲלֶה, literally “I shall take”, indicates the intent which preceded the actual taking. See Rashi to Shemos, 15:1. ⁵ As indicated by the warning against covenants [v.2].

Now I have also declared. At present I have declared, in My fury.⁶

footnotes: ⁶ This is not part of the original intent stated in vs.1,2, but is a new declaration, made now because they sinned.

At your flanks. They will harass your flanks with bandits and troops, pillaging and plundering.

Yehoshua dismissed, etc. This incident had taken place previously, but, as Scripture intends to relate that they acted wickedly [v.11], it begins with the following statement: at Yehoshua's death, when they resolved, in his presence, to serve Adonoy, he dismissed them, each man to his ancestral property. They served Adonoy throughout his days and the days of the elders. Afterward, "The Bnei Yisroel acted wickedly."

Whose days extended. Their 'days' extended⁷ but not their 'years', as they neglected to eulogize him.⁸ Thus it is said, "…of Mount Ga'ash"—⁹ the mountain stormed at them¹⁰ to slaughter them.

footnotes: ⁷ In contentment. However, their lives were short. (Shabbos, 105:b.-See Rashi there). ⁸ Scripture omits any mention of a mourning period for Yehoshua, as with Aharon (Bemidbar 20:29) and Moshe (Devarim 34:8). This indicates that they were remiss in eulogizing him and mourning for him. (Tosafos to Shabbos, 105:b). ⁹ “They buried him (Yehoshua)…at Mount Ephraim, north of Ga’ash.” [v.9] Mount Ephraim was better known than G’ash. Why, then, does Scripture identify the famous Mountain by its proximity to the obscure Ga’ash? Evidently, “Ga’ash” is not an identifying landmark, but is intended as a homiletical allusion to “ra’ash”, “storm”, teaching that the mountain stormed against them. (Maharsha to Shabbos, ibid.). ¹⁰ Shabbos, ibid.

At Timnas Cheres. So entitled because a likeness of the sun¹¹ was placed over his grave, as if to say, "Alas, that a man who halted the sun¹² lies in the grave."

footnotes: ¹¹ ‘Timnas Serach’ is literally translated as ‘The likeness of the sun’. ¹² Yehoshua ordered the sun to stand still, and the sun obeyed. (Yehoshua, 10:12,13.)

Wherever they went, the hand of Adonoy was destructive to them. This refers to Elimelech, Machlon, and Chilyon—¹³ Seder Olam.

footnotes: ¹³ Naomi’s husband and two sons, mentioned in the opening passages of the Book of Rus. They were punished with poverty and then death. See Rashi to Megilas Rus, ch.1.

Adonoy established judges. Continuously, in successive generations, as enumerated in this book, judge succeeding judge.

When He would establish—This describes an ongoing process—'When He would establish judges for them, and Adonoy would visit with the judge, etc.'

For He would recant. He would recant, concerning them, from the destruction.¹⁴ This is Yonasan's rendition.

footnotes: ¹⁴ Which He had intended to rain upon them. Accordingly, יְנַחֵם is not understood as ‘would find comfort,’ but as ‘would recant.’ See Rashi to Bereishis, 6:6, second interpretation.

From the outcry—As a result of their cry that went up to Him because of their tormentors

They fell nothing short. They omitted nothing deserving of the reproach inherent in everything that befell them.

Whether they observe. The letter ה is vocalized with the abridged pasach,¹⁵ as it expresses the inquiry involved in testing.

footnotes: ¹⁵ This vocalization is used to express inquiry.