And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron--each with its territory. Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territoryJudah also capturedThe tribe of Judah, named after one of the twelve sons of Jacob, is often seen as a leading tribe among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "captured" is "lakad," which implies seizing or taking possession. This action signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan. Historically, this reflects the period of conquest where the Israelites, under divine mandate, were to take possession of the land promised to their forefathers. Gaza
Gaza is one of the five major Philistine cities located in the southwestern part of Canaan, near the Mediterranean coast. The name "Gaza" in Hebrew is "Azzah," meaning "strong" or "fortified." Archaeological evidence suggests that Gaza was a significant trade center and a stronghold due to its strategic location. The capture of Gaza by Judah indicates a significant victory over the Philistines, who were perennial adversaries of Israel. Ashkelon
Ashkelon, another major Philistine city, was known for its fortifications and its role as a trade hub. The Hebrew name "Ashkelon" is derived from a root meaning "to weigh," possibly alluding to its commercial significance. The capture of Ashkelon by Judah demonstrates the tribe's expanding influence and control over the coastal regions, which were crucial for trade and military strategy. and Ekron
Ekron, one of the five cities of the Philistine pentapolis, was located further inland. The Hebrew name "Ekron" is thought to mean "eradication" or "uprooting," which is fitting given the Israelites' mission to uproot the existing pagan cultures. Historically, Ekron was known for its agricultural productivity and religious significance, particularly the worship of the deity Baal-Zebub. The capture of Ekron signifies a strategic victory in diminishing Philistine power. each with its territory
The phrase "each with its territory" underscores the comprehensive nature of Judah's conquest. The Hebrew word for "territory" is "gebul," which refers to a boundary or border. This indicates not only the capture of the cities themselves but also the surrounding lands, which were essential for sustaining the population and securing the region. This territorial acquisition reflects the fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel, granting them the land as an inheritance. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudahOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. Known for its leadership role among the tribes. 2. GazaA Philistine city located on the southwestern coast of Canaan. It was one of the five major Philistine cities and often mentioned in the context of Israel's battles with the Philistines. 3. AshkelonAnother major Philistine city, located north of Gaza along the coast. It was a significant trade center and often in conflict with Israel. 4. EkronA Philistine city further inland, north of Ashkelon. It was known for its strategic importance and was frequently contested by Israel. 5. TerritoryRefers to the land surrounding these cities that came under Judah's control. This indicates not just the cities themselves but the broader region. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of PromisesThe capture of these cities by Judah demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to give the Israelites the land of Canaan. Believers can trust in God's promises in their own lives. The Importance of ObedienceJudah's success in capturing these territories can be seen as a result of their obedience to God's command to take possession of the land. This underscores the importance of obedience in the life of a believer. Spiritual WarfareJust as Judah had to fight to claim their inheritance, Christians are called to engage in spiritual warfare to claim the promises of God in their lives. This involves prayer, faith, and reliance on God's strength. The Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceAlthough Judah captured these cities, the Philistines later regained control, illustrating the consequences of incomplete obedience and the need for vigilance in spiritual matters. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the capture of Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron by Judah teach us about God's promises and their fulfillment in our lives today? 2. How can the account of Judah's conquest inspire us to be obedient to God's commands in our own spiritual journey? 3. In what ways does the concept of spiritual warfare apply to the challenges you face in your life? How can you prepare for and engage in this battle? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of incomplete obedience to God. What did you learn from that experience? 5. How can the cyclical nature of conflict over these territories inform our understanding of the ongoing spiritual battles we face as Christians? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 15:45-47These verses provide a background to the allocation of these territories to the tribe of Judah during the division of the land under Joshua's leadership. 1 Samuel 5:1-12This passage describes the Philistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant and its journey through Philistine cities, including Ashkelon and Ekron, highlighting the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines. 2 Chronicles 28:18This verse recounts a later period when the Philistines again captured these cities, showing the cyclical nature of conflict over these territories. 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 Ashkelon, Ash'kelon, Askelon, Border, Captureth, Coast, Ekron, Gaza, Judah, Limit, Territory, ThereofDictionary 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 1:18 NIVJudges 1:18 NLTJudges 1:18 ESVJudges 1:18 NASBJudges 1:18 KJV
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