Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the men of Judah went with the Simeonites their fellow Israelites and attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they totally destroyed the city. Therefore it was called Hormah. New Living Translation Then Judah joined with Simeon to fight against the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they completely destroyed the town. So the town was named Hormah. English Standard Version And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they attacked the Canaanite dwelling in Zephath and devoted it to destruction. And they called the name of the city Hormah. King James Bible And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. New King James Version And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah. New American Standard Bible Then Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah. NASB 1995 Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah. NASB 1977 Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah. Legacy Standard Bible Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah. Amplified Bible Then [the warriors of the tribe of] Judah went with [the warriors of the tribe of] Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath and utterly destroyed it. So the city was called Hormah (destruction). Berean Annotated Bible Then the men of Judah (praised) went with their brothers the Simeonites (heard), attacked the Canaanites (merchants) living in Zephath (watch-tower), and devoted the city to destruction {cherem}. So it was called Hormah (destruction). Christian Standard Bible Judah went with his brother Simeon, struck the Canaanites who were living in Zephath, and completely destroyed the town. So they named the town Hormah. Holman Christian Standard Bible Judah went with his brother Simeon, struck the Canaanites who were living in Zephath, and completely destroyed the town. So they named the town Hormah. American Standard Version And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. Contemporary English Version Judah's army helped Simeon's army attack the Canaanites who lived at Zephath. They completely destroyed the town and renamed it Hormah. English Revised Version And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. GOD'S WORD® Translation The tribe of Judah went to fight along with the tribe of Simeon, their close relatives. They defeated the Canaanites who lived in Zephath and claimed it for the LORD by destroying it. So the city was called Hormah [Claimed for Destruction]. Good News Translation The people of Judah went with the people of Simeon, and together they defeated the Canaanites who lived in the city of Zephath. They put a curse on the city, destroyed it, and named it Hormah. International Standard Version The army of Judah accompanied the army of Simeon, Judah's brother, as they attacked the Canaanites who were living in Zephath, and they completely destroyed it. Then they renamed the city Hormah. NET Bible The men of Judah went with their brothers the men of Simeon and defeated the Canaanites living in Zephath. They wiped out Zephath. So people now call the city Hormah. New Heart English Bible Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah. Webster's Bible Translation And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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. World English Bible Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Judah goes with his brother Simeon, and they strike the Canaanite inhabiting Zephath, and devote it; and [one] calls the name of the city Hormah. Berean Literal Bible And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they attacked the Canaanite dwelling in Zephath and devoted it to destruction. And they called the name of the city Hormah. Young's Literal Translation And Judah goeth with Simeon his brother, and they smite the Canaanite inhabiting Zephath, and devote it; and one calleth the name of the city Hormah. Smith's Literal Translation And Judah will go up with Simeon his brother, and they will smite the Canaanite dwelling in Zephath, and they will exterminate it, and he will call the name of the city, Hormah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Juda went with Simeon his brother, and they together defeated the Chanaanites that dwelt in Sephaath, and slew them. And the name of the city was called Horma, that is, Anathema. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Judah went out with his brother Simeon, and together they struck the Canaanites who were living at Zephath, and they put them to death. And the name of the city was called Hormah, that is, Anathema. New American Bible Then Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they defeated the Canaanites who lived in Zephath. They put the city under the ban and renamed it Hormah. New Revised Standard Version Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and devoted it to destruction. So the city was called Hormah. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Simeon went with Judah his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And they called the name of the city Khirma. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shemon went with Yehuda his brother and they struck the Canaanites who dwelt in Tsuphath, and they destroyed it, and they called the name of the city Kharma destruction OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Judas went with Symeon his brother, and smote the Chananite that inhabited Sepheth, and they utterly destroyed them; and they called the name of the city Anathema. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem and Hebron Captured…16Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people. 17Then 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. 18And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.… Cross References Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, Joshua 19:1 The second lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Simeon: Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah Joshua 19:9 The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the territory of Judah, because the share for Judah’s descendants was too large for them. So the Simeonites received an inheritance within Judah’s portion. 1 Chronicles 4:42 And five hundred of these Simeonites led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, went to Mount Seir attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, Joshua 10:28 On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho. Joshua 11:11-12 The Israelites put everyone in Hazor to the sword, devoting them to destruction. Nothing that breathed remained, and Joshua burned down Hazor itself. / Joshua captured all these kings and their cities and put them to the sword. He devoted them to destruction, as Moses the LORD’s servant had commanded. Deuteronomy 20:17 For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, and devoted the city to destruction. Joshua 6:17 Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. Deuteronomy 13:15 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” So it was called Hormah. Numbers 21:3 And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah. Deuteronomy 1:44 Then the Amorites who lived in the hills came out against you and chased you like a swarm of bees. They routed you from Seir all the way to Hormah. Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that part of the hill country came down, attacked them, and routed them all the way to Hormah. Deuteronomy 7:2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Joshua 15:13-19 According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) / And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. / From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). … Joshua 10:36-39 Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron and fought against it. / They captured it and put to the sword its king, all its villages, and all the people. Joshua left no survivors, just as he had done at Eglon; he devoted to destruction Hebron and everyone in it. / Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it. … Joshua 11:21-23 At that time Joshua proceeded to eliminate the Anakim from the hill country of Hebron, Debir, and Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction, along with their cities. / No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive. / So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to the allotments to their tribes. Then the land had rest from war. Treasury of Scripture And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. And Judah Judges 1:3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him. Zephath 2 Chronicles 14:10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. Hormah Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah. Numbers 21:3 And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah. Joshua 19:4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah, Jump to Previous Attacked Canaanite Canaanites City Curse Defeated Destroyed Devote Hormah Inhabited Judah Overcame Simeon Simeonites Slew Smite Smote Struck Totally Utterly ZephathJump to Next Attacked Canaanite Canaanites City Curse Defeated Destroyed Devote Hormah Inhabited Judah Overcame Simeon Simeonites Slew Smite Smote Struck Totally Utterly ZephathJudges 1 1. The acts of Judah and Simeon4. Adonibezek justly requited 8. Jerusalem taken 10. Hebron taken 11. Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir 16. The Kenites dwell in Judah 17. Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken 21. The acts of Benjamin 22. Of the house of Joseph, who take Bethel 30. Of Zebulun 31. Of Asher 33. Of Naphtali 34. Of Dan Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites The tribes of Judah and Simeon were closely related, both descending from Leah, Jacob's wife. This alliance reflects the tribal cooperation necessary during the conquest of Canaan. The unity between these tribes is significant, as it demonstrates the importance of collaboration among God's people to achieve His purposes. Historically, the tribe of Simeon was small and often associated with Judah, as seen in their shared inheritance (Joshua 19:1-9). attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath and devoted the city to destruction So it was called Hormah 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. Simeonites Members 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. Canaanites The 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. Zephath A city in the territory of the Canaanites, targeted by the Israelites for destruction as part of their conquest of the Promised Land. 5. Hormah The 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 Commands The destruction of Zephath as commanded by God underscores the necessity of obedience to divine instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging. Spiritual Warfare The 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 God The 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 and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 1:17?2. How does Judges 1:17 demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's commands? 3. What lessons can we learn from Judah and Simeon's alliance in Judges 1:17? 4. How does Judges 1:17 connect to God's promises to Israel in Deuteronomy? 5. In what ways can we apply the unity shown in Judges 1:17 today? 6. How does the victory in Judges 1:17 encourage us in spiritual battles? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 1:17? 8. How does Judges 1:17 reflect God's justice and mercy? 9. Why did Judah and Simeon target the Canaanites in Zephath according to Judges 1:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 1? 11. When was 2 Kings written? 12. In Judges 1:8 versus 1:21, why does it say Judah captured Jerusalem but Benjamin couldn't drive out the Jebusites, leading to conflicting accounts about Jerusalem's conquest? 13. How can 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 speak of an eternal throne for David's line when the historical monarchy in Judah ended? 14. In Judges 17:7-13, how credible is the Levite's priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage? What Does Judges 1:17 Mean Then the men of Judah• This phrase roots the action in Judah’s tribe, already chosen to lead the conquest after Joshua’s death (Judges 1:2). • Judah’s leadership honors Jacob’s prophetic blessing that his descendants would hold a place of authority (Genesis 49:8–10). • By stepping forward first, Judah models obedient faith that God would deliver the enemy “into his hand” (Judges 1:4), reinforcing that victory flows from trusting God’s promises rather than human strength. Went with their brothers the Simeonites • Judah invites Simeon because Simeon’s territory lies within Judah’s allotment (Joshua 19:1–9), making cooperation natural and mutually beneficial. • Their unity illustrates Psalm 133:1—“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.” • Earlier, Judah pledged, “Come with me... and we will attack the Canaanites together” (Judges 1:3). Now they keep that promise, showing covenant faithfulness to both God and family. Attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath • Zephath sits in the southern hill country, a strategic spot threatening Israel’s interior settlements (compare Joshua 12:14). • The word “attacked” reminds us that the conquest was an act of judgment on persistent, aggressive wickedness (Leviticus 18:24–25). • Israel is not an aggressor for personal gain; the Lord Himself commanded the removal of Canaanite practices to protect Israel’s purity (Deuteronomy 20:16–18). And devoted the city to destruction • “Devoted... to destruction” (herem) signals total surrender of the city to God, leaving no room for compromise (Deuteronomy 7:2). • This obedience contrasts sharply with later failures, such as Saul sparing king Agag (1 Samuel 15:9). • God’s holiness demands full loyalty; selective obedience always breeds future trouble (Joshua 7:1). So it was called Hormah • “Hormah” means “destruction” and echoes Israel’s earlier vow: “If You will deliver these people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction” (Numbers 21:2–3). • The fulfilled vow testifies that the Lord keeps His word and expects His people to do the same (Psalm 15:4). • Renaming the site memorializes God’s decisive intervention so later generations would remember both judgment and mercy (Joshua 4:7). summary Judges 1:17 records Judah and Simeon standing shoulder-to-shoulder, faithfully executing God’s judgment on Zephath. Their united obedience underscores that victory comes when God’s people trust His promises, walk in brotherly unity, and refuse compromise with sin. The new name “Hormah” seals the moment as a lasting reminder that the Lord fulfills every word He speaks and calls His people to wholehearted allegiance. (17) Zephath.--This name is only mentioned elsewhere in 2Chronicles 14:10, as the scene of Asa's battle with Zerah the Ethiopian.Hormah--i.e., "a place devoted by ban." The name Chormah is derived from Cherem (anathema or oan), and the verb rendered "utterly destroyed" means 'executed the ban upon it." By their conquest the Israelites fulfilled the vow which they had made in consequence of the "defeat inflicted on them by the king of Arad," as a punishment for their disobedient Attempt to force their way into Palestine (see Numbers 14:45; Numbers 21:1-3). The town belonged to Simeon (Joshua 19:4; 1Chronicles 4:28-32), and was close to the lands of the Kenites (1Samuel 30:29-30). . . . Verse 17. - Judah went with Simeon. In ver. 3 Simeon went with Judah, because the places which follow were all in Judah's lot; but now we read, Judah went with Simeon, because Zephath or Hormah was in Simeon's lot (Joshua 19:4). For Hormah, identified by Robinson (2:181) with Es-sufeh, see Numbers 21:3. The Hebrew verb for "they utterly destroyed" is the root of the name Hormah, i.e. utter destruction.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then the men of Judahיְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites went וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk with אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among their brothers אָחִ֔יו (’ā·ḥîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) the Simeonites, שִׁמְע֣וֹן (šim·‘ō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8095: Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife struck וַיַּכּ֕וּ (way·yak·kū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5221: To strike the Canaanites הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י (hak·kə·na·‘ă·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan who were living יוֹשֵׁ֣ב (yō·wō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in Zephath, צְפַ֑ת (ṣə·p̄aṯ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6857: Zephath -- a Canaanite city and completely destroyed וַיַּחֲרִ֣ימוּ (way·ya·ḥă·rî·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2763: To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose [the city]. אוֹתָ֔הּ (’ō·w·ṯāh) Direct object marker | third person feminine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case So [it] was called וַיִּקְרָ֥א (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read Hormah. חָרְמָֽה׃ (ḥā·rə·māh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 2767: Hormah -- 'asylum', a place in Simeon Links Judges 1:17 NIVJudges 1:17 NLT Judges 1:17 ESV Judges 1:17 NASB Judges 1:17 KJV Judges 1:17 BibleApps.com Judges 1:17 Biblia Paralela Judges 1:17 Chinese Bible Judges 1:17 French Bible Judges 1:17 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 1:17 Judah went with Simeon his brother (Jd Judg. 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