Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah. JudahThe tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. The name "Judah" means "praise" in Hebrew, reflecting the tribe's role in leading the Israelites in worship and battle. Historically, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and his descendants became one of the most prominent tribes, eventually leading to the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The tribe's leadership in this verse underscores its importance and the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:8-10, where Judah is prophesied to be a leader among his brothers. Simeon
Simeon, another tribe of Israel, was the second son of Jacob and Leah. The name "Simeon" means "heard" in Hebrew, signifying Leah's belief that God heard her plight. Historically, the tribe of Simeon was smaller and often associated with Judah, as seen in this verse. This alliance reflects the close relationship between the two tribes, both geographically and strategically, as they often collaborated in military campaigns. The partnership here illustrates the unity and cooperation among the tribes in fulfilling God's commands to conquer the Promised Land. went with him
This phrase indicates the cooperation and mutual support between the tribes of Judah and Simeon. In the context of ancient Israel, tribal alliances were crucial for survival and success in military endeavors. The phrase suggests a sense of brotherhood and shared purpose, as both tribes work together to achieve a common goal. This unity is a powerful reminder of the strength found in collaboration and the importance of supporting one another in fulfilling God's purposes. attacked the Canaanites
The Canaanites were the inhabitants of the land promised to the Israelites by God. The term "Canaanites" refers to a collection of different peoples living in the region, known for their idolatrous practices and opposition to the Israelites. The command to attack the Canaanites was part of God's directive to the Israelites to take possession of the land He had given them. This action symbolizes the spiritual battle against sin and idolatry, emphasizing the need for God's people to remain faithful and obedient to His commands. living in Zephath
Zephath, identified with the later city of Hormah, was a Canaanite city located in the southern part of the Promised Land. The name "Zephath" is believed to mean "watchtower" or "observatory," indicating its strategic importance. The city's location made it a significant target for the Israelites as they sought to secure their inheritance. The mention of Zephath highlights the ongoing struggle to claim the land and the importance of strategic victories in fulfilling God's promises. devoted the city to destruction
This phrase refers to the practice of "herem," a Hebrew term meaning to devote something to God by completely destroying it. This act was a form of divine judgment against the Canaanites for their wickedness and idolatry. By devoting the city to destruction, the Israelites were demonstrating their obedience to God's commands and their commitment to purging the land of influences that could lead them away from Him. This concept underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for holiness among God's people. Hormah
The name "Hormah" means "destruction" or "devotion" in Hebrew, reflecting the outcome of the Israelites' conquest of Zephath. The renaming of the city signifies the complete victory and the fulfillment of God's judgment against the Canaanites. Hormah serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in delivering His promises and the Israelites' role in executing His divine will. This transformation from Zephath to Hormah symbolizes the power of God to bring about change and redemption through His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. Men of JudahThe tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for its leadership and strength. They were tasked with leading the conquest of the Promised Land. 2. SimeonitesMembers of the tribe of Simeon, who were closely allied with Judah. Their territory was within the boundaries of Judah, leading to a natural partnership in military endeavors. 3. CanaanitesThe original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, often representing opposition to Israel's occupation and a symbol of idolatry and immorality in biblical accounts. 4. ZephathA city in the territory of the Canaanites, targeted by the Israelites for destruction as part of their conquest of the Promised Land. 5. HormahThe name given to Zephath after its destruction, meaning "devotion" or "destruction" in Hebrew, signifying the complete annihilation of the city as an offering to God. Teaching Points Unity in PurposeThe collaboration between Judah and Simeon highlights the importance of unity among God's people in achieving His purposes. Believers today are called to work together in fulfilling God's mission. Obedience to God's CommandsThe destruction of Zephath as commanded by God underscores the necessity of obedience to divine instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging. Spiritual WarfareThe physical battles of the Israelites against the Canaanites can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare. Christians are called to fight against sin and spiritual opposition with the same determination. Consecration to GodThe renaming of Zephath to Hormah signifies a complete dedication to God. Believers are encouraged to devote every aspect of their lives to God, removing anything that hinders their relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the partnership between Judah and Simeon in Judges 1:17 inspire us to seek unity within the church today? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of complete obedience to God in our daily lives, as demonstrated by the destruction of Zephath? 3. How can the concept of spiritual warfare, as illustrated by the Israelites' battles, be applied to the challenges we face in our Christian walk? 4. What are some areas in our lives that need to be "devoted" or "destroyed" to ensure our full consecration to God? 5. How does the account of Zephath's destruction connect with other biblical accounts of God's judgment and mercy, and what can we learn from these connections? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 21:1-3This passage recounts an earlier vow by the Israelites to destroy the Canaanite cities if God delivered them into their hands, which connects to the fulfillment seen in Judges 1:17. Joshua 19:1-9Describes the allocation of land to the tribe of Simeon within the territory of Judah, explaining the close relationship and cooperation between these two tribes. Deuteronomy 7:1-2God commands the Israelites to completely destroy the Canaanite nations, which provides the theological backdrop for the actions in Judges 1:17. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Attacked, Brother, Brothers, Calleth, Canaanite, Canaanites, Curse, Defeated, Destroyed, Devote, Hormah, Inhabited, Inhabiting, Judah, Overcame, Simeon, Simeonites, Slew, Smite, Smote, Struck, Totally, Town, Utterly, ZephathDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:1-20 7266 tribes of Israel Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:17 NIVJudges 1:17 NLTJudges 1:17 ESVJudges 1:17 NASBJudges 1:17 KJV
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