Judges 1:2 kjv
And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
Judges 1:2 nkjv
And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand."
Judges 1:2 niv
The LORD answered, "Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands."
Judges 1:2 esv
The LORD said, "Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand."
Judges 1:2 nlt
The LORD answered, "Judah, for I have given them victory over the land."
Judges 1 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:8-10 | Judah, your brothers will praise you... the scepter will not depart from Judah... | Jacob's prophecy of Judah's preeminence |
| Num 2:3 | On the east side, toward the sunrise, shall be the standard of the camp of Judah... | Judah's position at the front of the tribal camps |
| Deut 1:21 | See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up and take possession... | Prior command to possess the land |
| Deut 2:33 | The Lord our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him... | God delivering enemies into hand |
| Deut 7:9 | Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God... | God's faithfulness to His covenant |
| Deut 9:1-3 | Hear, O Israel... today you are crossing the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations... The Lord your God is he who goes before you... | God's active role in land conquest |
| Josh 1:2-3 | Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise... Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you... | Divine commission to Joshua and land grant |
| Josh 1:9 | Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous... for the Lord your God is with you... | God's empowering presence and command |
| Josh 11:8 | The Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them... | God giving victory over enemies |
| Josh 21:45 | Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. | God's complete fulfillment of promises |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. | Trust in God's power for victory |
| Ps 44:3 | For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm bring them victory; but by your right hand... | God's enablement in obtaining the land |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart... In all your ways acknowledge him... | Acknowledging God for direction and success |
| 1 Chr 5:2 | Judah became strong among his brothers, and a prince was to be from him... | Judah's historical preeminence and royal line |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you... | Divine reassurance of presence and strength |
| Rom 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's enablement ensures victory |
| Heb 10:23 | Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. | God's unwavering faithfulness |
| Heb 11:33 | Who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises... | Faith as the means to fulfill promises |
| Jas 4:10 | Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. | Humility before God brings elevation |
| Rev 5:5 | Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered..." | Christ, the ultimate fulfiller from Judah's line |
Judges 1 verses
Judges 1 2 Meaning
Judges 1:2 declares a direct divine decree and promise. The Lord commands Judah to initiate the conquest of the remaining Canaanite territories and assures them of victory, stating that He has already delivered the land into their possession. This verse establishes Judah's leadership role and emphasizes God's active involvement and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel.
Judges 1 2 Context
Following the death of Joshua, Israel faced the challenge of completing the conquest of the land promised by God. Judges chapter 1 opens with Israel's inquiry to the Lord concerning which tribe should lead the initial offensive. This query signals a transitional period where unified leadership under Moses and Joshua has ceased, requiring new divine direction. Verse 2 is the direct answer, designating Judah for the vanguard. This command and assurance reflect God's continued faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel's subsequent struggles detailed in the rest of the chapter, where various tribes experienced mixed success due to partial obedience and alliances with remaining Canaanites, laying the foundation for the cyclical apostasy and oppression that characterize the book of Judges. Historically, Judah was destined for preeminence as per Jacob's prophetic blessing (Gen 49), making this divine appointment a fulfillment of an ancient promise, indicating God's pre-ordained plan for their leadership.
Judges 1 2 Word analysis
And the Lord said:
- "Lord" (Hebrew: YHWH, Yahweh): Refers to the personal, covenant-making God of Israel, emphasizing His divine authority and enduring commitment to His people. This highlights that the command originates directly from the supreme sovereign power, ensuring its certainty and ultimate success.
Judah shall go up:
- "Judah" (Hebrew: Yehudah): This tribe was historically the largest and most prominent. Their designation for the lead position aligns with ancient prophecies concerning their future kingship and strength among the tribes (Gen 49:8-10).
- "go up" (Hebrew: 'alah): Literally meaning "to ascend." In military contexts, it denotes taking the initiative, advancing into enemy territory, or rising up in battle. It implies an aggressive and purposeful action towards conquest.
behold:
- "behold" (Hebrew: hinneh): An emphatic interjection drawing immediate attention to the subsequent declaration. It functions as a powerful assurance, emphasizing the certainty and significance of God's forthcoming statement, a divine "Pay attention!" or "Take note!"
I have delivered the land:
- "delivered" (Hebrew: nathan): In this context, to "give" or "place." The Hebrew verb is in the perfect tense, signifying a completed action from God's perspective. This implies that the victory is already assured and accomplished in God's sovereign will, prior to the human execution of the battle.
- "land" (Hebrew: ha'aretz): Specifically refers to the land of Canaan, which was divinely promised as an inheritance to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His covenant pledges.
into his hand:
- "into his hand" (Hebrew: b'yado): A common idiomatic expression denoting power, control, and possession. It signifies that the land will be effectively subdued and occupied by Judah, illustrating the complete transfer of authority and ownership.
Words-group analysis:
- "And the Lord said, Judah shall go up": This phrase communicates a direct, authoritative divine commission. It designates Judah as the spearhead of the continued conquest, not due to their own self-proclamation, but by divine selection, underscoring God's continued active governance over Israel's affairs.
- "behold, I have delivered the land into his hand": This powerfully reinforces the certainty of victory. The outcome is not merely anticipated but already secured by God's decree. The act of "going up" is therefore an execution of God's pre-ordained will, where divine promise underwrites human effort, removing any doubt about the ultimate success, contingent on their obedience.
Judges 1 2 Bonus section
- Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: The verse beautifully illustrates the tension and interplay between God's sovereign will ("I have delivered") and human responsibility ("Judah shall go up"). God's part is assured, but Israel still needs to act in obedience to experience the fulfillment.
- Precedent for Seeking God's Will: The inquiry of "who shall go up for us first?" (Judg 1:1) and God's direct answer sets an important precedent for seeking divine counsel before major undertakings. This principle is vital for righteous leadership and effective action.
- Foreshadowing of Messiah: Judah's divinely appointed leadership in conquest points forward to the ultimate leader from the tribe of Judah – Jesus Christ. He is the Lion of Judah (Rev 5:5) who achieves the final and eternal victory over sin and death, fulfilling the ultimate "delivery" into His hand through His redemptive work, and establishing a spiritual inheritance for His people.
Judges 1 2 Commentary
Judges 1:2 is pivotal, establishing the divine initiative in Israel's post-Joshua settlement period. God directly addresses the pressing question of leadership by unequivocally choosing Judah, aligning with prophecies about this tribe's preeminence. The declaration, "I have delivered the land into his hand," highlights divine sovereignty and faithfulness. From God's perspective, the victory is already a certainty, providing assurance and motivation for the Israelites to act in faith. This is not merely a military instruction but a theological statement: Israel's success is predicated not on its own strength, but on God's prior action and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Despite the subsequent partial obedience and failures chronicled in Judges, this verse reaffirms that God had provided all that was necessary for complete conquest if His commands were fully heeded. It implicitly reminds Israel that when they obey, victory is assured because God has already completed His part.