Judges 1 17

Judges 1:17 kjv

And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

Judges 1:17 nkjv

And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

Judges 1:17 niv

Then the men of Judah went with the Simeonites their fellow Israelites and attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they totally destroyed the city. Therefore it was called Hormah.

Judges 1:17 esv

And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

Judges 1:17 nlt

Then Judah joined with Simeon to fight against the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they completely destroyed the town. So the town was named Hormah.

Judges 1 verses

Judges 1 17 Meaning

Judges 1:17 describes a specific act of conquest and territorial control by the tribes of Judah and Simeon working together. They attacked Zephath, a Canaanite city, completely destroying it according to the "devotion to destruction" command, and subsequently renamed the city "Hormah," signifying this complete devastation or dedication. This action demonstrates an obedience to God's command to dispossess the inhabitants of the land, showcasing initial tribal cooperation and partial fulfillment of divine directives in the period immediately following Joshua's death.

Judges 1 17 Context

Judges 1 opens by establishing the narrative directly after the death of Joshua, marking a transition period. The tribes of Israel seek God's guidance on who should lead the continued conquest of Canaan. Judah is divinely appointed to go up first, leading to a period of initial success for some tribes. Judah and Simeon’s combined effort in Judges 1:17 represents a continuation of the dispossession mandate given by God to Israel. It highlights moments of faithfulness and cooperation among the tribes, albeit quickly followed by instances of incomplete obedience and failure to drive out all the inhabitants, setting the stage for the recurring cycles of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance seen throughout the Book of Judges. This specific conquest of Zephath (renamed Hormah) reaffirms an earlier historical connection, particularly from the wilderness wanderings, to a place historically associated with Israel's battles and vows.

Judges 1 17 Word analysis

• And Judah went with Simeon his brother:

  • Judah: (Hebrew: יְהוּדָה Yehudah) The largest and most powerful tribe, chosen by God (Judg 1:2) to lead the post-Joshua conquest efforts. Its leadership role is consistent with its later prominence in Israel's history (e.g., Davidic lineage).
  • went with: Signifies an active, concerted effort and military campaign. It emphasizes partnership and a strategic alliance.
  • Simeon his brother: (Hebrew: שִׁמְעוֹן Shim'on) Simeon's inheritance was geographically within Judah's (Josh 19:1, 9). This collaboration was vital for Simeon's own settlement and highlights their kinship and practical necessity of cooperation due to their intertwined territories.

• and they smote the Canaanites:

  • smote: (Hebrew: וַיַּכּוּ vayyakkū from נָכָה nakah) A common biblical term for striking or defeating in battle, often decisively.
  • Canaanites: (Hebrew: הַכְּנַעֲנִי hak'kena'ani) One of the pre-Israelite ethnic groups inhabiting Canaan, whom God commanded Israel to dispossess and destroy due to their idolatry and wickedness (Gen 15:16, Deut 9:5). Their destruction was an act of divine judgment.

• that inhabited Zephath:

  • inhabited: Simply stating the dwelling place of the Canaanites.
  • Zephath: (Hebrew: צְפַת Tzepath) A specific city in the Negev region, south of Judah. Its identification later as Hormah is crucial. It signifies the successful conquest of a definite stronghold.

• and utterly destroyed it.

  • utterly destroyed: (Hebrew: וַיַּחֲרִימוּ vayyachărîmû from חָרַם charam) This is a powerful and significant theological term. It refers to "putting under the ban" or "devoting to destruction." This wasn't just physical destruction but a ritualistic act of consecration to the Lord, usually implying complete annihilation of all life and often destruction of property, making it taboo for personal gain. It represented a cleansing of the land from pagan influence and prevented assimilation or defilement. It was God's judgment against the profound wickedness of the Canaanites (Lev 18:24-30). This divine instruction provided a stark contrast and polemic against the syncretistic practices of other nations and underscored the unique holiness of YHWH.

• And the name of the city was called Hormah.

  • name...called Hormah: (Hebrew: חָרְמָה Chormah) Directly derived from the root charam ("utterly destroyed" or "ban"). This renaming permanently marked the city as a monument to its destruction under the ban of the Lord. It serves as a physical memorial of God's judgment executed by Israel, reflecting a solemn and total act. The name connects this event with previous battles involving this location, notably in Num 21:2-3, where Israel vowed to utterly destroy (or charam) cities if given victory, and successfully defeated them, renaming a place "Hormah." This suggests the Judges passage refers to Zephath, a location previously referred to as "Hormah" in Num 21 due to an earlier successful herem operation, reaffirming or applying the name once again after another specific act of conquest.

Judges 1 17 Bonus section

• The re-naming of Zephath to Hormah connects back to the Israelites' first major victory over the Canaanites in Numbers 21:1-3, where the Israelites themselves called a place "Hormah" after making a vow to charam the enemy cities. This implies that the Judah and Simeon campaign was a definitive follow-up or re-conquest of a historically significant site, re-establishing its symbolic name tied to total devotion to God.
• This specific herem operation provides a glimpse into what true obedience would have entailed for all the tribes – the complete removal of the inhabitants and their idolatrous influences – which was rarely consistently achieved by Israel later on. This failure forms the theological basis for the ongoing struggles throughout the Book of Judges.
• The cooperation between Judah and Simeon, particularly since Simeon's allotted territory was within Judah's larger portion, demonstrates an understanding of their interdependent call to conquer the land. Their joint success stands in contrast to the isolated and often insufficient efforts of other tribes later detailed in the chapter.

Judges 1 17 Commentary

Judges 1:17 showcases a moment of striking success and obedience amidst a book largely characterized by Israel's failures. The joint action of Judah and Simeon demonstrates effective tribal cooperation as they dispossess the Canaanites from Zephath, directly fulfilling a major aspect of God's conquest command. The pivotal phrase "utterly destroyed it" signifies more than mere military defeat; it points to the divine institution of herem, a command to consecrate enemies and their cities for complete annihilation as an offering to God. This radical act was intended to prevent idolatrous contamination, underscoring the holiness and exclusive claims of YHWH, in contrast to the polytheistic and immoral practices of the Canaanite inhabitants. The renaming of Zephath to "Hormah" literally means "devotion/destruction," serving as a permanent testament to this sacred act of cleansing the land from pagan defilement and fulfilling God's judgment. This stands as a crucial example of partial faithfulness by Israel in the post-Joshua period, providing a beacon of obedience before the book descends into cycles of disobedience and oppression. It exemplifies that God empowers His people when they align with His purposes, particularly in removing evil.