שופטים, פרק ג׳, פסוק ח׳

A recurring pattern of spiritual decline and harsh national awakening defines this historical era. As a direct result of their wrongdoings, God punishes the Israelites by delivering them into the power of a foreign oppressor, fulfilling the general cycle of sin and consequence [מלבי״ם].

The nation is placed under the control of Kushan-Rishatayim, the king of Aram-Naharaim. The meaning of the king's title offers a few different avenues of understanding. It may simply be his actual given name, or the second part of his title might refer to a specific geographic region. However, a deeper tradition views his name as a symbolic reference to two distinct acts of wickedness committed by Aram against the Israelites. The first historic offense was carried out by Balaam the Aramean, and the second is this very period of enslavement led by King Kushan [רד״ק].

This era of punishment, during which the Israelites are forced to serve this foreign ruler, continues uninterrupted for eight consecutive years [רלב״ג].