Judges 1:1-13 ▼

1 After the death of Joshua (YHWH saves), the Israelites (God prevails) inquired of the LORD {YHWH}, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites (merchants)?”

2 “Judah (praised) shall go up,” answered the LORD {YHWH}. “Indeed, I have delivered the land into their hands.”

3 Then the men of Judah (praised) said to their brothers the Simeonites (heard), “Come up with us to our allotted territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites (merchants). And we likewise will go with you to your territory.” So the Simeonites went with them.

4 When Judah (praised) attacked, the LORD {YHWH} delivered the Canaanites (merchants) and Perizzites (villagers) into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek (lightning).

5 And there (lightning) they found Adoni-bezek (my lord is Besek) and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites (merchants) and Perizzites (villagers).

6 As Adoni-bezek (my lord is Besek) fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.

7 Then Adoni-bezek (my lord is Besek) said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God {Elohim} has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem (city of peace), where he died.

8 Then the men of Judah (praised) fought against Jerusalem (city of peace) and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire.

9 Afterward, the men of Judah (praised) marched down to fight against the Canaanites (merchants) living in the hill country, in the Negev (southland), and in the foothills {Shephelah}.

10 Judah (praised) also marched against the Canaanites (merchants) who were living in Hebron (association) (formerly known as Kiriath-arba (city of Arba)), and they struck down Sheshai (noble), Ahiman (my brother is a gift), and Talmai (furrowed).

11 From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (sanctuary) (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher (city of the book)).

12 And Caleb (dog) said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher (city of the book) and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah (anklet) in marriage.”

13 So Othniel (lion of God) son of Caleb’s (dog) younger brother Kenaz (hunter) captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah (anklet) to him in marriage.