Israel's Conquest and Incomplete Possession
Judges 1:1-36
Jud.1.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישאלו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- אל: NEG
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- בתחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 24:29-31 (structural): Provides the immediate narrative frame — the death of Joshua and the period following it — which sets the scene for Judges 1:1's question about who will lead the next phase of conquest.
- Judges 2:6-7 (thematic): Continues the theme of transition after Joshua's death and the people's relationship to Yahweh and leadership, showing the early period of Judges when Israel seeks direction and responds to God's guidance.
- Deuteronomy 1:21 (verbal): Uses the same 'go up' language and the idea of taking possession of the land that underlies Judges 1:1's question about who will 'go up' against the Canaanites to fight for the land.
- Numbers 13:17-20 (thematic): Earlier precedent for Israelinquiring and sending agents regarding the land of Canaan — a comparable moment of deciding how to proceed with entering/conquering the land.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (verbal): Jonathan's challenge 'Who will go down with me?' echoes the phrasing and initiative of asking who will 'go up' to fight — both scenes portray individual or tribal initiative in combat against foes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass after the death of Joshua that the sons of Israel asked the LORD, saying, "Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?"
- And it came to pass after the death of Joshua that the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?'
Jud.1.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 1:2 (verbal): God commands the leader to 'go over' into the land 'which I do give to them,' echoing Judges 1:2's imperative to 'go up' and the declaration that the land has been given.
- Deuteronomy 1:21 (thematic): 'Behold, the LORD your God hath set the land before you: go up, take possession of it' parallels the call to advance and the claim that Yahweh has given the land.
- Genesis 15:18 (allusion): God's covenantal grant 'to your offspring I give this land' provides the theological basis/background for the statement in Judges that the land has been given by the LORD.
- Psalm 105:11 (thematic): The psalm recounts God's promise 'To thee will I give the land of Canaan,' echoing the motif of divine bestowal of the land found in Judges 1:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand."
- And the LORD said, 'Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.'
Jud.1.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לשמעון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- בגורלי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- ונלחמה: VERB,hitp,impf,1,pl
- בכנעני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והלכתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- גם: ADV
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בגורלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- שמעון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.1.2 (structural): Immediate literary context: Yahweh commands Judah to go up, which sets the scene for Judah’s invitation to Simeon to join him in taking the land.
- Joshua 19:1-9 (structural): Simeon’s allotment is described as lying within the territory of Judah (the lots and settlements), explaining the close cooperation and shared concern for adjacent holdings.
- Genesis 49:8-12 (allusion): Jacob’s blessing portrays Judah as the leading, martial tribe (symbols of rule and warfare), providing an ideological background for Judah’s initiative to lead in the conquest.
- 1 Chronicles 4:39-43 (thematic): A later account of Simeonite military activity and settlement in the southern lands; parallels the cooperation and campaigning of Simeon alongside other tribes in securing territory.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me into my lot, and fight with me against the Canaanites; and I will go with you into your lot." And Simeon went with him.
- And Judah said to Simeon his brother, 'Come up with me into my lot, and we will fight against the Canaanites; and I will go with you into your lot.' So Simeon went with him.
Jud.1.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- והפרזי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בידם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויכום: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl+OBJSUFF,3,m,pl
- בבזק: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.1.5 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode—narrates the encounter at Bezek and the fate of Adoni-bezek, closely connected in content and sequence to 1:4.
- Joshua 10:8 (verbal): Similar language and theme of the LORD delivering enemy peoples into Israel's hand ('I have given them into thine hand'), showing divine enablement in Israelite victories.
- Judg.1.19 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's presence with Judah in conquest but also highlights limits to their success—parallels the theme of divine assistance in Judah's campaigns.
- Joshua 15:63 (thematic): Records Judah's inability to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem, offering a contrast to the successful slaughter at Bezek and illustrating uneven outcomes in conquest narratives.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Judah went up, and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they struck them down at Bezek ten thousand men.
- And Judah went up, and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they struck ten thousand men at Bezek.
Jud.1.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וימצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- בזק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבזק: PREP,ב
- וילחמו: VERB,qal,yiqtol,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויכו: VERB,qal,yiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הפרזי: ADJ,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Judg.1.6-7 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode — capture of Adoni‑bezek, his defeat, and the mutilation/punishment of the Canaanite leader; completes the narrative begun in 1:5.
- Judg.1.4 (verbal): Shares key vocabulary and setting (Judah's campaign against the Canaanites and Perizzites, fighting in the hill country/near Bezek); a near‑parallel report of Judah’s early conquests in the same chapter.
- Joshua 10:1-11 (thematic): Conquest narrative in which Israel defeats a coalition of Canaanite kings and subdues their cities — parallels the motif of Israelite military action against Canaanite rulers and communities.
- Gen.14:1-16 (thematic): Ancient Near Eastern battle motif of pursuing and defeating rival kings and rescuing/collecting captives and spoils; parallels the practice of striking down regional chieftains and their cities as in Judges 1:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they found Adoni-bezek at Bezek, and fought against him, and struck the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
- They found Adoni-bezek at Bezek and fought against him and struck the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
Jud.1.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וינס: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- בזק: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירדפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויאחזו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויקצצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בהנות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- ורגליו: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.1.7 (structural): Immediate continuation: Adoni‑bezek explains that he had cut off the thumbs and big toes of seventy kings, and now the same is done to him (same act and wording).
- 2 Sam.4.12 (verbal): Narrative motif of hands and feet being cut off as a punitive and public act (the murderers of Ish‑bosheth have hands and feet cut off and displayed).
- 1 Sam.11.2 (thematic): Use of maiming (gouging out the right eye) by an enemy ruler as a method of humiliation and incapacitation—parallel practice of maiming captives to prevent military use.
- Deut.25.11-12 (thematic): Prescriptive/legal instance of amputation as punitive response (cutting off a hand) illustrating the broader biblical motif of corporal mutilation as punishment or retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and they caught him, and cut off the thumbs of his hands and the toes of his feet.
- And Adoni-bezek fled; they pursued him and caught him, and cut off the thumbs of his hands and the great toes of his feet.
Jud.1.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- בזק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבעים: NUM,card,m,pl
- מלכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהנות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- ורגליהם: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- מקצצים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מלקטים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- תחת: PREP
- שלחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כן: ADV
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויביאהו: VERB,hiphil,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m
- ירושלם: NOUN,prop,sg,abs
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 21:24 (verbal): The lex talionis principle (“eye for eye, tooth for tooth”) parallels Adoni‑bezek’s formulation of reciprocal retribution — ‘as I have done, so God has repaid me.’
- Deuteronomy 32:35 (thematic): God’s exclusive role as avenger and repayer of wrongs (“Vengeance is mine, and recompense...”) echoes Adoni‑bezek’s recognition that God repaid him for his deeds.
- 2 Samuel 4:12 (structural): Captors bringing the defeated ruler’s person (or head) to the recognized seat of power parallels Adoni‑bezek being brought to Jerusalem after his capture and maiming.
- Psalm 7:15–16 (thematic): The motif of poetic justice — one’s plots or violence returning upon oneself — resonates with Adoni‑bezek’s acknowledgment that his own treatment matched what he inflicted on others.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Adoni-bezek said, "Seventy kings, with their thumbs and toes cut off, used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me." And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
- And Adoni-bezek said, 'Seventy kings, with their thumbs and great toes cut off, used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has rewarded me.' They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Jud.1.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילחמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וילכדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותה: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- ויכוה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Similar conquest formula — city put to the sword and devoted to destruction, with language of killing by the edge of the sword and burning.
- Joshua 8:28 (verbal): Describes burning and destruction of a captured city (Ai) using language and actions similar to Judges 1:8 (city burned after capture).
- Joshua 15:63 (structural): Reports that the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem, creating a clear textual tension with Judges 1:8's claim that Judah captured and burned the city.
- Judges 1:21 (structural): Within the same chapter another tradition says the Jebusites remained in Jerusalem with Benjamin, again contrasting Judges 1:8's account of Judah's capture.
- 2 Samuel 5:6-9 (thematic): Later narrative of David's capture of Jerusalem (Zion) from the Jebusites; thematically related as an alternate or subsequent account of how Jerusalem came under Israelite control.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.
- And the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it and struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.
Jud.1.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחר: CONJ
- ירדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
- בכנעני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנגב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והשפלה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.1.8 (verbal): Immediate context — Judah's attack on the Canaanites at Hebron (Kirjath‑arba); v.9 continues the account of Judah's campaigns into the hill country, Negev and Shephelah.
- Judg.1.19 (thematic): Continuing report about Judah's successes and limits — the LORD enabling Judah to drive out inhabitants of the hill country but not the valley because of iron chariots; directly echoes the geographic distinction (mountain, south, lowland).
- Josh.14.6-15 (structural): Caleb's negotiation for Hebron and his conquests in the hill country (Kirjath‑arba) — parallels the allocation and conquest of Judah's hill and southern territories described in Judges 1:8‑9.
- Num.13.22 (allusion): The spies' survey of the land mentions going into the Negev and coming to Hebron (Kirjath‑arba); echoes the same regions (south, hill country) and the presence of Canaanite inhabitants later contested by Judah.
Alternative generated candidates
- And afterward the sons of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the hill country, and in the Negev, and in the lowland.
- Afterward the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, and in the Negeb, and in the lowland.
Jud.1.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אל: NEG
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- היושב: PART,qal,ptc,m,sg,def
- בחברון: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חברון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפנים: PREP
- קרית: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- ויכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ששי: ADJ,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- אחימן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- תלמי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 15:13-14 (verbal): Records the same conquest of Hebron and names the three Anakite leaders Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai—nearly identical wording about driving out these men.
- Joshua 14:15 (structural): Identifies Hebron as Kiriath-arba and as Caleb’s inheritance, linking the place-name and tradition behind Judah’s capture of Hebron.
- Numbers 13:22, 28-33 (thematic): Spies report seeing Anakim (giants) in Hebron; provides background on the Anakite inhabitants (context for the named opponents Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai).
- Joshua 21:11-13 (structural): Later summary that Hebron (formerly Kiriath-arba) is assigned in the settlement tradition—reiterates the city’s identification and its place in Israel’s allocation of land.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron (now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba), and they struck Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai.
- And Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron (formerly called Kiriath-arba). And they struck Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai.
Jud.1.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- אל: NEG
- יושבי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- דביר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דביר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפנים: PREP
- קרית: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 15:15 (verbal): Repeats the same identification: Debir’s earlier name was Kiriath‑sepher (Kiriath‑sepher/Kirjath‑sepher), a near‑verbatim overlap in the tradition.
- Joshua 15:16–17 (verbal): Continues the same episode: Othniel (son of Kenaz) captures Kiriath‑sepher/Debir and receives Achsah in marriage—closely parallel narrative to Judges 1:11–15.
- Judges 1:13 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within Judges: states that Othniel took Debir (Kiriath‑sepher), directly following and completing the statement in Judges 1:11.
- Judges 3:9–11 (thematic): Describes Othniel son of Kenaz as Israel’s deliverer (the first judge); thematically connects the military success at Debir with Othniel’s later role as judge and deliverer of Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir; and the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher.
- From there he went against the inhabitants of Debir; formerly the name of Debir was Kiriath-sepher.
Jud.1.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יכה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קרית: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולכדה: VERB,qal,waw+perf,3,m,sg
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עכסה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:13 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Othniel son of Kenaz attacks Kiriath-sepher (Debir), takes it, and receives Achsah as his wife — completes the promise made by Caleb in v.12.
- Joshua 15:16-17 (verbal): Parallel account in Joshua’s territorial lists describing the same event (capture of Debir/Kiriath‑sepher and Achsah given in marriage), with similar language and outcome.
- Judges 1:14–15 (structural): Direct follow‑on: Achsah’s request for and receipt of springs after her marriage — part of the same Caleb/Achsah narrative introduced in v.12.
- 1 Samuel 18:25–27 (thematic): Different episode where a warrior (David) must achieve a military feat (slaying Philistines) as the bride‑price for a daughter (Michal) — parallels the motif of a bride given as reward for martial success.
- Genesis 29:18–20 (thematic): Jacob’s long service to obtain Rachel exhibits the broader social theme of marriage being secured by service or exchange (a reward/price), comparable to a daughter being promised for accomplishing a task.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Caleb said, "He who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as a wife."
- And Caleb said, 'Whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as a wife.'
Jud.1.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכדה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עתניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קנז: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- כלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקטן: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עכסה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.1.14 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Achsah (the daughter given in v.13) requests and receives springs from her husband—part of the same narrative block.
- Judg.3.9-11 (thematic): Later tradition about Othniel son of Kenaz: he becomes Israel’s deliverer/judge, expanding the brief marital note here into his larger role.
- Josh.15.16-17 (verbal): Parallel version of the same tradition: Othniel son of Kenaz captures Kiriath‑sepher (Debir) and is given Achsah in marriage—essentially the same event retold in Joshua’s allotment narrative.
- Josh.14:6-15 (thematic): Accounts of Caleb’s reward and inheritance (including his giving of family members and cities); provides background for Caleb’s patronage (Achsah as his daughter) and the family’s territorial gains.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, captured it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife.
- And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it, and Caleb gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife.
Jud.1.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בבואה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותסיתהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לשאול: PREP+INF,qal
- מאת: PREP
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותצנח: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מעל: PREP
- החמור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- כלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 1:15–16 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Achsah dismounts and asks her father Caleb for springs of water, and he grants her the upper and lower spring (direct narrative parallel).
- Genesis 26:18–22 (thematic): Isaac’s reopening and naming of wells; springs/wells function as markers of land, blessing, and ownership—same symbolic concern underlying Achsah’s request for springs.
- Genesis 24:28–60 (thematic): Courtship/marriage negotiation involving a bride’s arrival and hospitality (Rebekah brought to Isaac after a water scene); parallels the matrimonial context in which Achsah is given to Othniel and then presses her claim. ”
- 1 Samuel 25:23–31, 42 (thematic): Abigail’s initiative—riding to meet David, dismounting, and pleading for blessing/protection—corresponds to Achsah’s active intervention (dismounting and asking Caleb) to secure a tangible blessing (springs).
Alternative generated candidates
- And when she came to him she urged him to ask her father for a field; and she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"
- When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, 'What do you want?'
Jud.1.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- הבה: PRT
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ברכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נתתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ונתתה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- גלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- כלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- גלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- עלית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- גלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תחתית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.15.16-19 (quotation): Duplicate account in Joshua’s allotment narrative: Achsah asks her father Caleb for springs of water and he grants her the upper and lower springs; Othniel is given Achsah — essentially the same story as Judges 1:15.
- Judg.1.12-13 (structural): Immediate context in Judges: Caleb promises his daughter Achsah to whoever captures Kiriath-sepher; Othniel captures the city and receives Achsah — these verses lead directly into v.15.
- Josh.14.6-15 (thematic): Caleb’s petition for and receipt of land (Hebron) as a reward for his faithfulness parallels the theme of Caleb’s special land grants and his authority to allocate territory to family members.
- Judg.3.9-11 (allusion): Othniel son of Kenaz appears later as Israel’s first judge and deliverer; this connects the martial figure who marries Achsah in Judges 1:15 with the judge who leads Israel in Judges 3.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she said to him, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me the Negev, give me also springs of water." And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
- She said to him, 'Give me a blessing; you have given me the Negeb—give me also springs of water.' And Caleb gave her the upper and the lower springs.
Jud.1.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קיני: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- חתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- מעיר: PREP
- התמרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בנגב: PREP
- ערד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 4:11 (verbal): Names Heber the Kenite and links the Kenites with Moses' in‑law tradition (Hobab), paralleling the identification of the Kenite clan in Judg 1:16 and their separate settlements among Israel.
- Judges 4:17 (thematic): Records Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, interacting with Israelite leaders—illustrates Kenite residence among Israel and their involvement in Israel's history like Judg 1:16.
- Judges 5:24 (allusion): Deborah's song celebrates Jael the Kenite's action against Sisera; a poetic echo of the Kenites' presence and role among the people mentioned in Judg 1:16.
- Exodus 18:2–4 (verbal): Describes Moses' Midianite/Midian‑related in‑law (Jethro/Reuel/Hobab) and family ties—parallels the motif of Moses' kinship with non‑Israelite clans (the Kenites) in Judg 1:16.
- Deuteronomy 34:3 (structural): 'The city of palm trees' (Ir ha‑Temarim) appears in the geographical description of the land here as in Judg 1:16, paralleling the same place‑name/term and its border context.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Kenite, the father-in-law of Moses, went up from the City of Palms with the sons of Judah to the wilderness of Judah in the Negev, to Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
- And the Kenite, the father-in-law of Moses, and the Kenites' descendants went up from the City of Palms with the people of Judah to the wilderness of Judah in the Negeb, to Arad; and the people went and dwelt among the Kenites.
Jud.1.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- שמעון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- ויכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- צפת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויחרימו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אותה: PRON,3,f,sg,acc
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שם: ADV
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- חרמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:3 (structural): Same chapter and narrative of Judah's military actions—Judah (alone or with others) striking Canaanites and carrying out conquest, paralleling Judah and Simeon cooperating in v.17.
- Numbers 21:2-3 (verbal): Numbers records Israel's victory and explicitly names the place 'Hormah' (or 'Herem/Hormah') after they 'utterly destroyed' it—same place-name and the motif of devotion/destruction.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (thematic): Legal injunction to 'devote to destruction' (herem) the cities of the peoples God gives to Israel—provides the law/theology behind the utter destruction described in Judg 1:17.
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Describes the complete destruction of Jericho and the devoted nature of the conquest using the same verbal idea of utterly destroying and devoting a city (herem), paralleling the action in Judg 1:17.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): God's command to Saul to 'utterly destroy' Amalek (herem) echoes the theme of divinely sanctioned total destruction found in Judges 1:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and utterly destroyed it; and they called the name of the city Hormah.
- And Judah went with Simeon his brother and they struck the Canaanites who dwelt in Zephath and utterly destroyed it; therefore it was called Hormah.
Jud.1.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- עזה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- גבולה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3fs
- ואת: CONJ
- אשקלון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- גבולה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3fs
- ואת: CONJ
- עקרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- גבולה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3fs
Parallels
- Joshua 13:2-3 (structural): Same Philistine coastal cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron) appear in the geographical description of the land to be allotted to the Israelites — a parallel list of these city-states and their territorial identity.
- Judges 1:17 (verbal): Immediate intra-book parallel — the preceding verse(s) in Judges 1 likewise describe Judah's campaign against and capture of Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron; the wording and theme of territorial seizure are essentially the same.
- 1 Samuel 6:17 (verbal): Lists the five Philistine city-rulers (including Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron); echoes the same roster of major Philistine city-states attested elsewhere in the narrative tradition.
- Amos 1:6 (thematic): A prophetic oracle condemning Gaza for its crimes — shows these same cities (here, Gaza) as longstanding, significant Philistine centers and connects later prophetic judgment to the earlier narrative presence of these towns.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Judah captured Gaza and its territory, and Ashkelon and its territory, and Ekron and its territory.
- And they captured Gaza and its territory and Ashkelon and its territory and Ekron and its territory.
Jud.1.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,pref_vav
- את: PRT,acc
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- להוריש: VERB,hiph,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העמק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברזל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judges 1:21 (structural): Same chapter/theme: another example of Israel failing to drive out Canaanite inhabitants (the Jebusites remain in Jerusalem), showing incomplete conquest of the land.
- Joshua 17:16-18 (verbal): Explicitly echoes the motif of inability to dispossess inhabitants because of their military advantages — Joshua permits the tribes to keep the mountain while Canaanites with iron chariots remain in the plains.
- Judges 4:3 (verbal): Speaks of Jabin’s 'nine hundred chariots of iron' and Israel’s subjugation; directly parallels the mention of 'chariots of iron' as the reason Israel could not drive out foes.
- 1 Samuel 13:19-22 (thematic): Describes Israel’s lack of iron-working and the Philistines’ monopoly on iron weapons/chariots, reflecting the wider theme that superior iron technology prevented Israel from overcoming certain enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD was with Judah; and they took possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain, because they had chariots of iron.
- And the LORD was with Judah, and they took possession of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, for they had chariots of iron.
Jud.1.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לכלב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- חברון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויורש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- שלשה: NUM,m
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- הענק: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 14:13-14 (quotation): Joshua repeats that Hebron was given to Caleb and records that he drove out the three sons of Anak—essentially the same grant of Hebron as in Judges 1:20.
- Joshua 15:13-14 (verbal): Very close verbal parallel: this passage explicitly says Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from Hebron and received it as his inheritance.
- Numbers 13:22, 30-33 (allusion): The spies report seeing the Anakim in Hebron (Anak there), and Caleb’s confident response is first voiced here—background for the later conquest and occupation of Hebron.
- Numbers 14:24 (thematic): God’s commendation of Caleb ('because he has another spirit') and the promise that he will enter the land underlies the attribution 'as Moses said' and explains Caleb’s receiving Hebron.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they gave Hebron to Caleb as Moses had said; and he dispossessed from there the three sons of Anak.
- And Caleb said, 'To me, as Moses promised, he gave Hebron.' So he expelled from there the three sons of Anak.
Jud.1.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- היבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- הורישו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- היבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 15:63 (verbal): Very similar wording about the failure to drive out the Jebusites; there the Jebusites remain in Jerusalem and the people of Judah could not dispossess them (parallel report with Judah instead of Benjamin).
- 2 Samuel 5:6-9 (thematic): Describes David's later capture of Jerusalem (Zion) from the Jebusites, addressing the situation noted in Judges where the Jebusites continued to inhabit the city.
- 1 Chronicles 11:4-9 (verbal): Chronicle parallel to 2 Samuel 5:6-9 recounting David's taking of the Jebusite stronghold and the tale of 'the blind and the lame,' echoing the displacement of the Jebusites mentioned in Judges.
- Judges 1:27-36 (thematic): Part of the same chapter's broader theme: multiple tribes failing to drive out the original inhabitants, resulting in cohabitation and incomplete conquest throughout the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem; the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites, and the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
- And the Jebusites lived in Jerusalem; the children of Benjamin did not drive them out. So the Jebusites lived with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
Jud.1.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judg.1.23 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the next verse records that the house of Joseph built Bethel and dwelt there, directly following and explaining the action in 1:22.
- Gen.28:19 (allusion): Names the site Bethel ("house of God"); Judges' reference to Bethel echoes its established identity as a theophanic/ancestral cult site in the patriarchal traditions.
- Gen.35:1-7 (thematic): Jacob's return to Bethel and the establishment of an altar there highlights Bethel's role as a sacred dwelling-place of God, paralleling Judges' note that Israelite control of Bethel involved settlement and cultic significance.
- Judg.6:12 (verbal): Shares the formulaic theme of divine presence expressed in phrases like "the LORD was with him/them," which in both passages signals YHWH's support that enables a leader or tribe to act successfully (Gideon in 6:12; Joseph's house in 1:22).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the house of Joseph went up also against Bethel; and the LORD was with them.
- And the house of Joseph also went up against Bethel; and the LORD was with them.
Jud.1.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתירו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפנים: PREP
- לוז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 28:19 (verbal): Explicitly links the names Bethel and Luz: Jacob names the place Bethel, saying the city was formerly called Luz—same lexical pair as Judges 1:23.
- Genesis 35:6-7 (allusion): Jacob returns to the place called Bethel (formerly Luz) and reestablishes worship there; reinforces the earlier name-change and sacred significance associated with Luz/Bethel.
- Joshua 16:1-3 (structural): Describes the allotment and borders of Ephraim/House of Joseph including Bethel, showing Bethel’s location within the tribal-territorial context relevant to Judges 1:23.
- Judges 1:22-26 (thematic): Immediate narrative context: these verses narrate how the house of Joseph took Bethel (Luz) from the Canaanites and settled there—directly parallels and expands Judges 1:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the house of Joseph fought against Bethel (now the name of the city formerly was Luz).
- The men of Joseph sent spies to Bethel (formerly called Luz).
Jud.1.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- השמרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יוצא: VERB,qal,part,0,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- הראנו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- מבוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ועשינו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 2:1-7 (verbal): Spies enter a town and interact with an inhabitant about entrances and safety; Joshua 2 contains the closest verbal and situational parallel (spies, a townsman/woman, promise of safety/kindness).
- Joshua 6:22-25 (structural): City capture tied to the cooperation/protection of an insider (Rahab) whose action determines the fate of herself and her household — a structural parallel of inside help leading to the city's downfall or sparing of certain persons.
- 2 Samuel 4:5-8 (thematic): A covert approach and betrayal from within/at a vulnerable moment: men gain access to a leader's quarters and kill him — parallels the motif of insiders/entrances enabling violent takeover.
- Judges 9:50-54 (thematic): Account of treachery and the destruction of a city/tower through stratagem and internal conflict; thematically similar in betrayal, surprise attack, and collapse of a community due to actions connected with insiders.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us the entrance to the city, and we will show you kindness."
- And when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, 'Show us the entrance to the city, and we will deal kindly with you.'
Jud.1.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראם: VERB,qal,wayyiq,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- מבוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויכו: VERB,qal,wayyiq,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- משפחתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss3,m
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Jericho’s conquest language—‘utterly destroyed all that was in the city…with the edge of the sword’—parallels Judges’ description of striking the city and its inhabitants.
- Joshua 8:28 (verbal): Ai is burned and made a desolation after being captured (’he burned Ai, and made it a desolation’), echoing the motif of destroying and burning a captured city.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (structural): The law prescribing that certain cities be devoted to destruction (‘you shall leave nothing alive that breathes’) provides the legal/ideological framework for wholesale slaughter of city and household.
- 1 Samuel 15:3,8 (thematic): The command to and execution of slaying Amalekites ‘man and woman, infant and suckling’ resonates with Judges’ report of killing the man and his whole household.
- Genesis 34:25-29 (thematic): Simeon and Levi’s massacre at Shechem—killing the males and carrying off spoil—parallels the violent destruction of a city and its inhabitants, including families.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he showed them the entrance to the city; and they struck the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his family go.
- So he showed them the entrance to the city; and they struck the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his household go.
Jud.1.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- החתים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- לוז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 28:19 (verbal): The same place-name appears: Jacob calls the site Bethel, 'but the name of the city was Luz at the first'—a near-verbatim identification of Luz referenced in Judges 1:26.
- Genesis 35:15 (verbal): On Jacob’s return he again names the place Bethel while noting that the city was originally called Luz, repeating the Luz/Bethel naming tradition found in Judges 1:26.
- Judges 1:24–25 (structural): Immediate narrative context: these preceding verses describe Israel’s incomplete conquest (Manasseh’s failure to drive out inhabitants), which sets up the statement in v.26 about a Hittite/man rebuilding and naming Luz.
- Joshua 17:12–13 (thematic): Parallel theme of Israelite tribes failing to dispossess local inhabitants (including Hittites/Canaanites), who nonetheless continued to dwell in or rebuild cities—background to the situation described in Judges 1:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man went into the land of the Hittites and built a city and called its name Luz; it is called Luz to this day.
- And the man went to the land of the Hittites and built a city and called its name Luz; it is called Luz to this day.
Jud.1.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- הוריש: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בנותיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- תענך: VERB,qal,imf,3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- בנתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בנותיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- יושבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יבלעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בנתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- יושבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מגדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בנותיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,f,sg
- ויואל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 17:11 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Joshua 17:11 lists many of the same towns (Beth‑shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo) that Manasseh did not drive out, matching the wording and theme of Judges 1:27.
- Judges 1:28 (structural): Immediate continuation in Judges’ conquest account: verse 28 continues the catalogue of towns not driven out and repeats the consequence that Canaanites remained to live among Israel.
- Judges 2:1-3 (thematic): The angel’s rebuke emphasizes Israel’s failure to destroy the Canaanite nations and the covenantal consequence of disobedience—direct theological explanation of the situation described in Judges 1:27.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (thematic): Gives the Mosaic command to dispossess and not make covenant with the Canaanite nations; provides the law background against which Judges 1:27’s failure to drive out those peoples is judged.
Alternative generated candidates
- Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shan and its villages, nor Taanach and its villages, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; and the Canaanite was left to dwell in that land.
- Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages, or of Taanach and its villages, or of Dor and its villages, or of Ibleam and its villages, or of Megiddo and its villages; so the Canaanites remained in that land.
Jud.1.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חזק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- למס: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוריש: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- הורישו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 23:12-13 (thematic): Warning that if Israel fails to destroy the remaining Canaanite nations they will become snares and thorns — echoes the consequence of not driving them out.
- Judges 2:1-3 (allusion): The angel’s rebuke cites Israel’s failure to obey by not utterly destroying the nations — directly linked to the failure described in Judg 1:28.
- Judges 3:1-4 (thematic): Explains that God left some nations among Israel to test them and teach warfare — provides theological rationale for why Canaanites remained.
- Joshua 16:10 (verbal): Reports that the Ephraimites did not drive out the Canaanites living among them (same verbal motif of failure to dispossess inhabitants).
- 1 Kings 9:20-21 (structural): Notes that the remaining Canaanite populations were subjected to forced labor/tribute rather than being expelled — parallels 'put them to tribute' in Judg 1:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor and did not utterly drive them out.
- When Israel grew strong they put the Canaanites to forced labor and did not utterly drive them out.
Jud.1.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואפרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- הוריש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- היושב: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- בגזר: PREP
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- בגזר: PREP
Parallels
- Joshua 16:10 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Joshua says Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer and the Canaanites lived among the Ephraimites—direct verbal parallel to Judges 1:29.
- Judges 1:27 (verbal): Same narrative formula reporting incomplete conquest: Manasseh did not drive out inhabitants of Beth-shean and Taanach, mirroring the refrain of failing to dispossess Canaanite towns.
- Judges 1:30 (verbal): Continues the same refrain about other tribes (Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali) not driving out the inhabitants of their towns; thematically and verbally parallel within the chapter's pattern.
- Judges 3:1-2 (thematic): Explains the theological purpose behind the presence of remaining nations: the LORD left them to test Israel and teach warfare—provides an interpretive parallel to the reports of incomplete dispossession.
- Judges 2:1-3 (thematic): God's rebuke to Israel for failing to obey and drive out the nations; links the failure to dispossess Canaanites with covenant unfaithfulness and the ensuing cycle of oppression and deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; and the Canaanite dwelt in their midst in Gezer.
- And Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites lived among them in Gezer.
Jud.1.30 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- זבולן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- הוריש: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יושבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קטרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- יושבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- נהלל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- למס: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:21 (verbal): Uses the same language of failure to drive out a people (Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites) and reports the Canaanites/Jebusites dwelling among Israel, a close verbal and narrative parallel.
- Joshua 17:12-13 (verbal): Describes Manasseh and Ephraim's inability to dispossess Canaanite inhabitants so that they lived among Israel and served as forced labor/tributaries—parallels both the failure to drive out and the outcome of subjection/tribute.
- Joshua 16:10 (verbal): Reports that the Canaanites remained in the towns of the tribe of Ephraim because they were not driven out, echoing the same formula of incomplete conquest and continued Canaanite presence.
- Judges 3:5 (thematic): Summarizes the wider consequence: the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites (and other nations) and were influenced by their practices—the thematic fallout of not driving out the inhabitants.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (structural): Gives the legal/command background (the injunction to dispossess the nations of the land); serves as the prescriptive contrast to the historical failure recorded in Judges 1:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Nahalol; and they dwelt among the Canaanites, and they became forced laborers.
- Zebulun did not drive out those who dwelt in Kitron or those who dwelt in Nahalal; so the Canaanites lived among them and became subjects to forced labor.
Jud.1.31 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- הוריש: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עכו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- יושבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- צידון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אחלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אכזיב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- חלבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אפיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- רחב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.1:27-33 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter — a contiguous list of Canaanite and coastal towns that Israel did not drive out (many of the same place-names and the same theme of incomplete conquest).
- Judg.1:21 (verbal): Another concrete example in the chapter of Israel's failure to dispossess inhabitants (the Jebusites in Jerusalem); parallels the pattern of cities remaining in Canaanite/Philistine hands described in v.31.
- Josh.13:2-6 (thematic): Joshua's account of the territories and peoples that remain to be dispossessed (including Sidonians and coastal regions) echoes the geographic and theological problem of incomplete conquest found in Judges 1:31.
- Judg.2:1-3 (allusion): The angel's warning that God will not drive out remaining nations and that they will become thorns alludes back to the consequences of not dispossessing Canaanite towns as catalogued in Judges 1 (including v.31).
- 1 Kgs.9:20-21 (thematic): Later historical note that Solomon conscripted surviving Canaanite populations for forced labor — a later consequence/status of peoples who were not expelled in the early conquest narratives like those named in Judges 1:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Akzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphek, nor of Rehob.
- Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Akko, nor of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphek, nor of Rehob.
Jud.1.32 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האשרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בקרב: PREP
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- הורישו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judg.1.21 (verbal): Same formula: a tribe lives alongside Canaanite inhabitants because it did not drive them out (Benjamin and the Jebusites).
- Josh.15.63 (verbal): Judah failed to dislodge the Jebusites from Jerusalem and they continued to dwell there—same motif of incomplete dispossession.
- Josh.13.13 (thematic): Statement that Israel was not able to drive out certain peoples (Geshur, Maacah), so those inhabitants remained among Israel—parallels the failure to expel and coexistence.
- Josh.17.12-13 (thematic): Regions in the hill country that the descendants of Joseph/Manasseh and Ephraim did not drive out, leaving Canaanite populations living among them—similar report of incomplete conquest.
- Deut.7.1-2 (thematic): Divine command to destroy the Canaanite nations when entering the land—provides the legal/ethical background that highlights the significance of tribes failing to drive out the inhabitants in Judges 1:32.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out.
- And Asher dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, for they did not drive them out.
Jud.1.33 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- נפתלי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- הוריש: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בקרב: PREP
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישבי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ענת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- למס: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:21 (verbal): Same narrative pattern—a tribe (Benjamin) 'did not drive out' the inhabitants of a city (Jerusalem/Jebus) and the Canaanites/Jebusites continued to live among them 'to this day.'
- Judges 1:27 (verbal): Manasseh 'did not drive out' the inhabitants of Beth-shean and related towns; the Canaanites continued dwelling in the land—parallel wording and outcome to Naphtali's failure.
- Judges 1:32 (verbal): Asher likewise 'did not drive out' inhabitants of coastal cities (e.g., Acco, Sidon) and 'dwelt among the Canaanites,' echoing the same failure and coexistence motif.
- Joshua 17:11 (verbal): Joshua's account notes Manasseh could not drive out inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, etc.; the Canaanites remained—verbal and thematic overlap with Judges' report of incomplete conquest.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (thematic): Deuteronomy commands Israel to drive out the nations when entering the land and forbids making covenants—provides the covenantal/torah background against which the Judges passages record Israel's failures to do so.
Alternative generated candidates
- Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth-anath; and they dwelt among the Canaanites, and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became subject to forced labor.
- Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh or the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but they lived among the Canaanites, and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became subject to forced labor.
Jud.1.34 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילחצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההרה: ADJ,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לרדת: VERB,qal,inf
- לעמק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.1:21 (verbal): Benjamin 'did not drive out' the Jebusites and they continued to dwell among them—same vocabulary and theme of failure to dispossess Canaanite inhabitants.
- Judg.1:27 (verbal): Manasseh 'did not drive out' the inhabitants of Beth-shean—another instance in the same chapter of Israelites unable to expel local peoples and thus confined in territory.
- Judg.18:1-10 (structural): Narrative resolution: because Dan could not secure its allotted lands (cf. pressure from Amorites), the tribe seeks and seizes Laish—a structural continuation of the problem in 1:34.
- Judg.3:1-4 (thematic): God left certain nations 'to prove Israel'—a theological motif explaining why Israel coexisted with hostile peoples and was sometimes forced into the hill country.
- Josh.13:13 (verbal): 'The Israelites did not drive out' certain peoples (Geshur, Maakah)—a parallel wording and the broader theme of incomplete conquest leading to Israelites living alongside native populations.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Amorites pressed the children of Dan back into the hill country, for they would not allow them to come down to the valley.
- The Amorites pressed the sons of Dan into the hill country, for they would not allow them to come down to the valley.
Jud.1.35 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויואל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- חרס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באילון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובשעלבים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותכבד: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- למס: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:27-36 (structural): Immediate narrative cluster listing Canaanite groups left in the hill country of Israel (including Hivites/Heres) and the pattern of Israelites not fully dispossessing them, making them tributaries or forced labor.
- Joshua 16:10 (verbal): States that Canaanites remained in the cities of Ephraim and were not driven out — closely parallels the note that people of Joseph/Ephraim allowed native inhabitants to remain.
- Joshua 17:12-13 (thematic): Describes Manasseh (and Ephraim) failing to drive out inhabitants of certain towns, leaving Canaanites among them as laborers — same situation as Judges 1:35.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (thematic): Divine command to dispossess and destroy the nations of Canaan; provides the legal/ideological background contrasted by Judges 1:35 where Israel does not carry out the dispossession.
- Judges 2:21-23 (thematic): God’s response to Israel’s disobedience in failing to destroy the nations: he allows remaining kingdoms to test Israel — a theological explanation for why Canaanites were left living among Israel as in Judges 1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Amorite forced the people of Joseph to dwell in Har-heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim; yet the hand of the house of Joseph grew strong, and they became subject to forced labor.
- And the Amorites made them dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon and in Shaalbim; yet the hand of the house of Joseph grew strong, and they became subject to forced labor.
Jud.1.36 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וגבול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ממעלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עקרבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מהסלע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 15:3 (verbal): Uses the same toponym Maʿalêh ʿAqrabbîm (Ascent of Scorpions) as a landmark in describing Judah's southern border — a direct verbal/locational parallel.
- Joshua 13:2–7 (structural): Catalogues the lands and peoples (including Amorite territories) that remained to be assigned or subdued, paralleling Judges' focus on Amorite borders and Israel's incomplete conquest.
- Deuteronomy 2:24–37 (thematic): Describes the command and campaigns against the Amorite kings (Sihon and Og) and the taking of their territory — thematically related to boundary and possession of Amorite lands.
- Judges 1:34–35 (structural): Immediate context in Judges recounting Israel's partial failure to drive out Canaanite peoples and notes of territorial limits; these neighboring verses form a structural parallel to v.36's boundary statement.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the boundary of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock and upward.
- And the boundary of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, saying, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight them?”
The LORD said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.”
Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Come up with me into my portion, and let us fight against the Canaanites; I also will go with you into your portion.” And Simeon went with him.
Judah went up, and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek.
They found Adoni‑bezek in Bezek, and fought against him, and struck the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
Adoni‑bezek fled; they pursued him, seized him, and cut off the thumbs of his hands and the great toes of his feet.
Adoni‑bezek said, “Seventy kings, with their thumbs and great toes cut off, used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
The men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it; they struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.
Afterward the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the hill country, in the Negev, and in the lowland.
Judah went against the Canaanite who dwelt in Hebron (formerly called Kiriath‑arba); and they struck Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.
From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir; formerly the name of Debir was Kiriath‑sepher.
Caleb said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath‑sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter as wife.”
Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; and Caleb gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field; she got down from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?”
She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the Negev, give me springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and the lower springs.
The sons of Kenaz, the son‑in‑law (or kinsman) of Moses, went up from the city of palm trees with the people of Judah to the wilderness of Judah in the Negev, to Arad; and they went and inhabited the land.
Judah went with Simeon his brother and they struck the Canaanites who dwelt in Zephath and utterly destroyed it; therefore it was called Hormah.
Judah captured Gaza with its territory, Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory.
The LORD was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country; but he was unable to drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron.
They gave Hebron to Caleb as Moses had said, and he drove out from there three sons of Anak. But the Jebusites inhabited Jerusalem with the people of Benjamin; the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites, so the Jebusites lived with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
The house of Joseph also went up against Bethel; and the LORD was with them.
The name of the city formerly was Luz.
They saw a man coming out of the city, and said to him, “Show us the entrance to the city, and we will be kind to you.”
He showed them the entrance to the city, and they struck the city with the edge of the sword; but they let the man and all his family go.
The man went into the land of the Hittites, built a city, and called its name Luz; it is called Luz to this day.
Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth‑shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the Canaanites were left to dwell in that land.
When Israel grew strong they put the Canaanites to forced labor but did not utterly drive them out.
Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites lived among the Ephraimites in Gezer.
Zebulun did not drive out those who dwelt in Kitron or those who dwelt in Nahalol; and the Canaanites lived among them, and they were made to pay tribute.
Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or of Sidon, or of Ahlab, or of Achzib, or of Helbah, or of Aphek, or of Rehob.
The Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, for they did not drive them out.
Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth‑shemesh or of Beth‑anath; they lived among the Canaanites, and the inhabitants of Beth‑shemesh and Beth‑anath became tribute‑payers to them.
The Amorites pressed the people of Dan into the hill country, for they would not allow them to come down to the plain.
The Amorites lived in Mount Heres, in Aijalon and in Shaalbim; yet the hand of the house of Joseph became strong, and they were made tributaries.
The boundary of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim to the rock and upward.