And the border of the Amorites extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim to Sela and beyond. And the border of the AmoritesThe term "Amorites" refers to a group of ancient people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. The Hebrew root for "Amorites" is "אֱמֹרִי" (Emori), which is often associated with the inhabitants of the hill country. Historically, the Amorites were known as a powerful and influential group in the ancient Near East, often seen as adversaries to the Israelites. Their presence in the land represents the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the native Canaanite tribes. The "border" signifies the territorial limits, indicating the extent of Amorite influence and control, which the Israelites were commanded to overcome as part of God's promise to give them the land. extended from the Ascent of Akrabbim
The "Ascent of Akrabbim" is a geographical location mentioned several times in the Bible, notably as a boundary marker. The Hebrew word "Akrabbim" translates to "scorpions," suggesting a rugged, perhaps dangerous terrain. This ascent is believed to be located in the southern part of the land, near the Negev desert. The mention of this ascent as a border highlights the challenging and often hostile environment the Israelites faced in their conquest of the Promised Land. It serves as a reminder of the perseverance required to fulfill God's commands and the obstacles that must be overcome in faith. to Sela
"Sela" is a Hebrew word meaning "rock" or "cliff," and it is often associated with a place of refuge or strength. In this context, Sela likely refers to a specific location, possibly in the region of Edom, known for its rocky terrain. The use of "Sela" as a boundary marker emphasizes the natural fortifications that defined the territories of ancient peoples. Spiritually, it can symbolize the strength and protection found in God, who is often referred to as a "rock" in the Psalms, providing a place of safety and security for His people. and beyond
The phrase "and beyond" suggests that the Amorite territory extended even further than the specified landmarks. This indicates the vastness and influence of the Amorite presence in the region. For the Israelites, this would have represented the daunting task of conquering a well-established and expansive enemy. From a spiritual perspective, it serves as a metaphor for the boundless nature of God's promises and the limitless potential of His plans for those who trust and obey Him. The call to go "beyond" challenges believers to step out in faith, trusting in God's provision and guidance as they pursue His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. AmoritesA group of ancient people living in Canaan, often in conflict with the Israelites. They were known for their fortified cities and resistance to Israelite settlement. 2. Ascent of AkrabbimA geographical location marking the southern boundary of the Amorite territory. The name "Akrabbim" means "scorpions" in Hebrew, indicating a rugged or challenging terrain. 3. SelaA location within the Amorite territory, possibly referring to a rock or cliff. The term "Sela" means "rock" in Hebrew, and it is often associated with strongholds or places of refuge. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, led by various judges during this period, tasked with conquering and settling the Promised Land. 5. CanaanThe land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which the Israelites were commanded to possess. Teaching Points Understanding BoundariesJust as the Israelites had specific territorial boundaries, Christians today are called to understand and respect the spiritual and moral boundaries set by God in His Word. Facing Challenges with FaithThe rugged terrain of the Ascent of Akrabbim symbolizes the challenges believers face. We are encouraged to trust in God's guidance and strength to overcome obstacles. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe mention of specific locations underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well. Spiritual WarfareThe Amorites' resistance to Israel's settlement is a reminder of the spiritual battles Christians face. We are called to put on the full armor of God and stand firm against spiritual opposition. The Importance of ObedienceThe Israelites' success in possessing the land depended on their obedience to God's commands. Similarly, our spiritual success is linked to our obedience to God's Word. Bible Study Questions 1. How do the geographical boundaries mentioned in Judges 1:36 reflect God's promises to the Israelites, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness? 2. In what ways can the challenges represented by the Ascent of Akrabbim be likened to the spiritual challenges we face today? 3. How does the resistance of the Amorites to Israel's settlement parallel the spiritual opposition Christians encounter, and what strategies can we use to overcome it? 4. What are some "boundaries" in your life that God has set, and how can you ensure you are respecting and adhering to them? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in fulfilling a promise. How can this encourage you in your current walk with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 34:4This verse outlines the southern border of the Promised Land, which includes the Ascent of Akrabbim, showing the continuity of God's promise to Israel regarding their territorial inheritance. Joshua 15:3This passage also mentions the Ascent of Akrabbim as part of the boundary of the tribe of Judah, highlighting the importance of defined borders in the Israelite settlement. Deuteronomy 7:1-2God commands the Israelites to drive out the Amorites and other nations from Canaan, emphasizing the need for obedience and reliance on God's strength. 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 Akrabbim, Akrab'bim, Amorite, Amorites, Ascent, Beyond, Border, Coast, Edomites, Limit, Pass, Ran, Rock, Scorpion, Sela, Slope, UpwardDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:36 5235 boundary 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 1:36 NIVJudges 1:36 NLTJudges 1:36 ESVJudges 1:36 NASBJudges 1:36 KJV
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