19 And the LORD H3068 was with Judah; H3063 and he drave out H3423 the inhabitants of the mountain; H2022 but could not H3808 drive out H3423 the inhabitants H3427 of the valley, H6010 because they had chariots H7393 of iron. H1270
Then G5119 came G4334 the disciples G3101 to Jesus G2424 apart, G2596 G2398 and said, G2036 Why G1302 could G1410 not G3756 we G2249 cast G1544 him G846 out? G1544 And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 Because G1223 of your G5216 unbelief: G570 for G1063 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 If G1437 ye have G2192 faith G4102 as G5613 a grain G2848 of mustard seed, G4615 ye shall say G2046 unto this G5129 mountain, G3735 Remove G3327 hence G1782 to yonder place; G1563 and G2532 it shall remove; G3327 and G2532 nothing G3762 shall be impossible G101 unto you. G5213
But G1161 when he saw G991 the wind G417 boisterous, G2478 he was afraid; G5399 and G2532 beginning G756 to sink, G2670 he cried, G2896 saying, G3004 Lord, G2962 save G4982 me. G3165 And G1161 immediately G2112 Jesus G2424 stretched forth G1614 his hand, G5495 and caught G1949 him, G846 and G2532 said G3004 unto him, G846 O thou of little faith, G3640 wherefore G1519 G5101 didst thou doubt? G1365
Fear H3372 not, thou worm H8438 Jacob, H3290 and ye men H4962 of Israel; H3478 I will help H5826 thee, saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 and thy redeemer, H1350 the Holy One H6918 of Israel. H3478 Behold, I will make H7760 thee a new H2319 sharp H2742 threshing H4173 instrument having H1167 teeth: H6374 thou shalt thresh H1758 the mountains, H2022 and beat them small, H1854 and shalt make H7760 the hills H1389 as chaff. H4671
And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 appeared H7200 unto him, and said H559 unto him, The LORD H3068 is with thee, thou mighty H1368 man of valour. H2428 And Gideon H1439 said H559 unto him, Oh H994 my Lord, H113 if H3426 the LORD H3068 be with us, why then is all this befallen H4672 us? and where be all his miracles H6381 which our fathers H1 told H5608 us of, saying, H559 Did not the LORD H3068 bring us up H5927 from Egypt? H4714 but now the LORD H3068 hath forsaken H5203 us, and delivered H5414 us into the hands H3709 of the Midianites. H4080
Neither did Manasseh H4519 drive out H3423 the inhabitants of Bethshean H1052 and her towns, H1323 nor Taanach H8590 and her towns, H1323 nor the inhabitants H3427 of Dor H1756 and her towns, H1323 nor the inhabitants H3427 of Ibleam H2991 and her towns, H1323 nor the inhabitants H3427 of Megiddo H4023 and her towns: H1323 but the Canaanites H3669 would H2974 dwell H3427 in that land. H776 And it came to pass, when Israel H3478 was strong, H2388 that they put H7760 the Canaanites H3669 to tribute, H4522 and did not utterly H3423 drive them out. H3423 Neither did Ephraim H669 drive out H3423 the Canaanites H3669 that dwelt H3427 in Gezer; H1507 but the Canaanites H3669 dwelt H3427 in Gezer H1507 among H7130 them. Neither did Zebulun H2074 drive out H3423 the inhabitants H3427 of Kitron, H7003 nor the inhabitants H3427 of Nahalol; H5096 but the Canaanites H3669 dwelt H3427 among H7130 them, and became tributaries. H4522 Neither did Asher H836 drive out H3423 the inhabitants H3427 of Accho, H5910 nor the inhabitants H3427 of Zidon, H6721 nor of Ahlab, H303 nor of Achzib, H392 nor of Helbah, H2462 nor of Aphik, H663 nor of Rehob: H7340 But the Asherites H843 dwelt H3427 among H7130 the Canaanites, H3669 the inhabitants H3427 of the land: H776 for they did not drive them out. H3423
And the children H1121 of Joseph H3130 said, H559 The hill H2022 is not enough H4672 for us: and all the Canaanites H3669 that dwell H3427 in the land H776 of the valley H6010 have chariots H7393 of iron, H1270 both they who are of Bethshean H1052 and her towns, H1323 and they who are of the valley H6010 of Jezreel. H3157 And Joshua H3091 spake H559 unto the house H1004 of Joseph, H3130 even to Ephraim H669 and to Manasseh, H4519 saying, H559 Thou art a great H7227 people, H5971 and hast great H1419 power: H3581 thou shalt not have one H259 lot H1486 only: But the mountain H2022 shall be thine; for it is a wood, H3293 and thou shalt cut it down: H1254 and the outgoings H8444 of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out H3423 the Canaanites, H3669 though they have iron H1270 chariots, H7393 and though they be strong. H2389
And it came to pass, when Jabin H2985 king H4428 of Hazor H2674 had heard H8085 those things, that he sent H7971 to Jobab H3103 king H4428 of Madon, H4068 and to the king H4428 of Shimron, H8110 and to the king H4428 of Achshaph, H407 And to the kings H4428 that were on the north H6828 of the mountains, H2022 and of the plains H6160 south H5045 of Chinneroth, H3672 and in the valley, H8219 and in the borders H5299 of Dor H1756 on the west, H3220 And to the Canaanite H3669 on the east H4217 and on the west, H3220 and to the Amorite, H567 and the Hittite, H2850 and the Perizzite, H6522 and the Jebusite H2983 in the mountains, H2022 and to the Hivite H2340 under Hermon H2768 in the land H776 of Mizpeh. H4709 And they went out, H3318 they and all their hosts H4264 with them, much H7227 people, H5971 even as the sand H2344 that is upon the sea H3220 shore H8193 in multitude, H7230 with horses H5483 and chariots H7393 very H3966 many. H7227 And when all these kings H4428 were met together, H3259 they came H935 and pitched H2583 together H3162 at the waters H4325 of Merom, H4792 to fight H3898 against Israel. H3478 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Joshua, H3091 Be not afraid H3372 because H6440 of them: for to morrow H4279 about this time H6256 will I deliver them up H5414 all slain H2491 before H6440 Israel: H3478 thou shalt hough H6131 their horses, H5483 and burn H8313 their chariots H4818 with fire. H784 So Joshua H3091 came, H935 and all the people H5971 of war H4421 with him, against them by the waters H4325 of Merom H4792 suddenly; H6597 and they fell upon H5307 them. And the LORD H3068 delivered H5414 them into the hand H3027 of Israel, H3478 who smote H5221 them, and chased H7291 them unto great H7227 Zidon, H6721 and unto Misrephothmaim, H4956 and unto the valley H1237 of Mizpeh H4708 eastward; H4217 and they smote H5221 them, until they left H7604 them none remaining. H8300 And Joshua H3091 did H6213 unto them as the LORD H3068 bade H559 him: he houghed H6131 their horses, H5483 and burnt H8313 their chariots H4818 with fire. H784
And he took H3947 six H8337 hundred H3967 chosen H977 chariots, H7393 and all the chariots H7393 of Egypt, H4714 and captains H7991 over every one of them. And the LORD H3068 hardened H2388 the heart H3820 of Pharaoh H6547 king H4428 of Egypt, H4714 and he pursued H7291 after H310 the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 went out H3318 with an high H7311 hand. H3027 But the Egyptians H4714 pursued H7291 after H310 them, all the horses H5483 and chariots H7393 of Pharaoh, H6547 and his horsemen, H6571 and his army, H2428 and overtook H5381 them encamping H2583 by the sea, H3220 beside Pihahiroth, H6367 before H6440 Baalzephon. H1189 And when Pharaoh H6547 drew nigh, H7126 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 lifted up H5375 their eyes, H5869 and, behold, the Egyptians H4714 marched H5265 after H310 them; and they were sore H3966 afraid: H3372 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 cried out H6817 unto the LORD. H3068 And they said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Because there were no graves H6913 in Egypt, H4714 hast thou taken us away H3947 to die H4191 in the wilderness? H4057 wherefore H2063 hast thou dealt H6213 thus with us, to carry us forth H3318 out of Egypt? H4714 Is not this the word H1697 that we did tell H1696 thee in Egypt, H4714 saying, H559 Let us alone, H2308 that we may serve H5647 the Egyptians? H4714 For it had been better H2896 for us to serve H5647 the Egyptians, H4714 than that we should die H4191 in the wilderness. H4057 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto the people, H5971 Fear H3372 ye not, stand still, H3320 and see H7200 the salvation H3444 of the LORD, H3068 which he will shew H6213 to you to day: H3117 for the Egyptians H4714 whom ye have seen H7200 to day, H3117 ye shall see H7200 them again H3254 no more for H5704 ever. H5769 The LORD H3068 shall fight H3898 for you, and ye shall hold your peace. H2790 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Wherefore criest H6817 thou unto me? speak H1696 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that they go forward: H5265 But lift thou up H7311 thy rod, H4294 and stretch out H5186 thine hand H3027 over the sea, H3220 and divide H1234 it: and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 shall go H935 on dry H3004 ground through the midst H8432 of the sea. H3220 And I, behold, I will harden H2388 the hearts H3820 of the Egyptians, H4714 and they shall follow H935 them: H310 and I will get me honour H3513 upon Pharaoh, H6547 and upon all his host, H2428 upon his chariots, H7393 and upon his horsemen. H6571 And the Egyptians H4714 shall know H3045 that I am the LORD, H3068 when I have gotten me honour H3513 upon Pharaoh, H6547 upon his chariots, H7393 and upon his horsemen. H6571 And the angel H4397 of God, H430 which went H1980 before H6440 the camp H4264 of Israel, H3478 removed H5265 and went H3212 behind H310 them; and the pillar H5982 of the cloud H6051 went H5265 from before their face, H6440 and stood H5975 behind H310 them: And it came H935 between the camp H4264 of the Egyptians H4714 and the camp H4264 of Israel; H3478 and it was a cloud H6051 and darkness H2822 to them, but it gave light H215 by night H3915 to these: so that the one came not near H7126 the other H2088 all the night. H3915 And Moses H4872 stretched out H5186 his hand H3027 over the sea; H3220 and the LORD H3068 caused the sea H3220 to go H3212 back by a strong H5794 east H6921 wind H7307 all that night, H3915 and made H7760 the sea H3220 dry H2724 land, and the waters H4325 were divided. H1234 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 went H935 into the midst H8432 of the sea H3220 upon the dry H3004 ground: and the waters H4325 were a wall H2346 unto them on their right hand, H3225 and on their left. H8040 And the Egyptians H4714 pursued, H7291 and went in H935 after H310 them to the midst H8432 of the sea, H3220 even all Pharaoh's H6547 horses, H5483 his chariots, H7393 and his horsemen. H6571 And it came to pass, that in the morning H1242 watch H821 the LORD H3068 looked H8259 unto the host H4264 of the Egyptians H4714 through the pillar H5982 of fire H784 and of the cloud, H6051 and troubled H2000 the host H4264 of the Egyptians, H4714 And took off H5493 their chariot H4818 wheels, H212 that they drave H5090 them heavily: H3517 so that the Egyptians H4714 said, H559 Let us flee H5127 from the face H6440 of Israel; H3478 for the LORD H3068 fighteth H3898 for them against the Egyptians. H4714 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Stretch out H5186 thine hand H3027 over the sea, H3220 that the waters H4325 may come again H7725 upon the Egyptians, H4714 upon their chariots, H7393 and upon their horsemen. H6571 And Moses H4872 stretched forth H5186 his hand H3027 over the sea, H3220 and the sea H3220 returned H7725 to his strength H386 when the morning H1242 appeared; H6437 and the Egyptians H4714 fled H5127 against H7125 it; and the LORD H3068 overthrew H5287 the Egyptians H4714 in the midst H8432 of the sea. H3220 And the waters H4325 returned, H7725 and covered H3680 the chariots, H7393 and the horsemen, H6571 and all the host H2428 of Pharaoh H6547 that came H935 into the sea H3220 after H310 them; there remained H7604 not so much as H5704 one H259 of them. But the children H1121 of Israel H3478 walked H1980 upon dry H3004 land in the midst H8432 of the sea; H3220 and the waters H4325 were a wall H2346 unto them on their right hand, H3225 and on their left. H8040 Thus the LORD H3068 saved H3467 Israel H3478 that day H3117 out of the hand H3027 of the Egyptians; H4714 and Israel H3478 saw H7200 the Egyptians H4714 dead H4191 upon the sea H3220 shore. H8193 And Israel H3478 saw H7200 that great H1419 work H3027 which the LORD H3068 did H6213 upon the Egyptians: H4714 and the people H5971 feared H3372 the LORD, H3068 and believed H539 the LORD, H3068 and his servant H5650 Moses. H4872
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Judges 1
Commentary on Judges 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 1
Jud 1:1-3. The Acts of Judah and Simeon.
1. Now after the death of Joshua—probably not a long period, for the Canaanites seem to have taken advantage of that event to attempt recovering their lost position, and the Israelites were obliged to renew the war.
the children of Israel asked the Lord—The divine counsel on this, as on other occasions, was sought by Urim and Thummim, by applying to the high priest, who, according to Josephus, was Phinehas.
saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first—The elders, who exercised the government in their respective tribes, judged rightly, that in entering upon an important expedition, they should have a leader nominated by divine appointment; and in consulting the oracle, they adopted a prudent course, whether the object of their inquiry related to the choice of an individual commander, or to the honor of precedency among the tribes.
2. the Lord said, Judah shall go up—The predicted pre-eminence (Ge 49:8) was thus conferred upon Judah by divine direction, and its appointment to take the lead in the ensuing hostilities was of great importance, as the measure of success by which its arms were crowned, would animate the other tribes to make similar attempts against the Canaanites within their respective territories.
I have delivered the land into his hand—not the whole country, but the district assigned for his inheritance.
3. Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me …, that we may fight against the Canaanites—Being conterminous tribes (Jos 19:1, 2), they had a common interest, and were naturally associated in this enterprise.
Jud 1:4-21. Adoni-bezek Justly Requited.
5, 6. Bezek—This place lay within the domain of Judah, about twelve miles south of Jerusalem.
found Adoni-bezek—that is, "lord of Bezek"—he was "found," that is, surprised and routed in a pitched battle, whence he fled; but being taken prisoner, he was treated with a severity unusual among the Israelites, for they "cut off his thumbs and great toes." Barbarities of various kinds were commonly practised on prisoners of war in ancient times, and the object of this particular mutilation of the hands and feet was to disable them for military service ever after. The infliction of such a horrid cruelty on this Canaanite chief would have been a foul stain on the character of the Israelites if there were not reason for believing it was done by them as an act of retributive justice, and as such it was regarded by Adoni-bezek himself, whose conscience read his atrocious crimes in their punishment.
7. Threescore and ten kings—So great a number will not appear strange, when it is considered that anciently every ruler of a city or large town was called a king. It is not improbable that in that southern region of Canaan, there might, in earlier times, have been even more till a turbulent chief like Adoni-bezek devoured them in his insatiable ambition.
8. Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it—The capture of this important city, which ranks among the early incidents in the war of invasion (Jos 15:63), is here noticed to account for its being in the possession of the Judahites; and they brought Adoni-bezek thither [Jud 1:7], in order, probably, that his fate being rendered so public, might inspire terror far and wide. Similar inroads were made into the other unconquered parts of Judah's inheritance [Jud 1:9-11]. The story of Caleb's acquisition of Hebron is here repeated (Jos 15:16-19). [See on Jos 15:16.]
16. the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah—called "the Kenite," as probably descended from the people of that name (Nu 24:21, 22). If he might not himself, his posterity did accept the invitation of Moses (Nu 10:32) to accompany the Israelites to Canaan. Their first encampment was in the "city of palm trees"—not Jericho, of course, which was utterly destroyed, but the surrounding district, perhaps En-gedi, in early times called Hazezon-tamar (Ge 14:7), from the palm-grove which sheltered it. Thence they removed for some unknown cause, and associating themselves with Judah, joined in an expedition against Arad, in the southern part of Canaan (Nu 21:1). On the conquest of that district, some of this pastoral people pitched their tents there, while others migrated to the north (Jud 4:17).
17-29. And Judah went with Simeon his brother—The course of the narrative is here resumed from Jud 1:9, and an account given of Judah returning the services of Simeon (Jud 1:3), by aiding in the prosecution of the war within the neighboring tribes.
slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath—or Zephathah (2Ch 14:10), a valley lying in the southern portion of Canaan.
Hormah—destroyed in fulfilment of an early vow of the Israelites (see on Nu 21:2). The confederate tribes, pursuing their incursions in that quarter, came successively to Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron, which they took. But the Philistines seem soon to have regained possession of these cities.
19. the Lord was with Judah; … but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley—The war was of the Lord, whose omnipotent aid would have ensured their success in every encounter, whether on the mountains or the plains, with foot soldiers or cavalry. It was distrust, the want of a simple and firm reliance on the promise of God, that made them afraid of the iron chariots (see on Jos 11:4-9).
21. the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem—Judah had expelled the people from their part of Jerusalem (Jud 1:8). The border of the two tribes ran through the city—Israelites and natives must have been closely intermingled.
Jud 1:22-26. Some Canaanites Left.
22, 23. the house of Joseph—the tribe of Ephraim, as distinguished from Manasseh (Jud 1:27).
24. the spies … said, … Show us, … the entrance into the city—that is, the avenues to the city, and the weakest part of the walls.
we will show thee mercy—The Israelites might employ these means of getting possession of a place which was divinely appropriated to them: they might promise life and rewards to this man, though he and all the Canaanites were doomed to destruction (Jos 2:12-14); but we may assume the promise was suspended on his embracing the true religion, or quitting the country, as he did. If they had seen him to be firmly opposed to either of these alternatives, they would not have constrained him by promises any more than by threats to betray his countrymen. But if they found him disposed to be serviceable, and to aid the invaders in executing the will of God, they might promise to spare him.
26. Luz—(See on Ge 12:7; Ge 28:18).
27-36. The same course of subjugation was carried on in the other tribes to a partial extent, and with varying success. Many of the natives, no doubt, during the progress of this exterminating war, saved themselves by flight and became, it is thought, the first colonists in Greece, Italy, and other countries. But a large portion made a stout resistance and retained possession of their old abodes in Canaan. In other cases, when the natives were vanquished, avarice led the Israelites to spare the idolaters, contrary to the express command of God; and their disobedience to His orders in this matter involved them in many troubles which this book describes.