Judges 1 23

Judges 1:23 kjv

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)

Judges 1:23 nkjv

So the house of Joseph sent men to spy out Bethel. (The name of the city was formerly Luz.)

Judges 1:23 niv

When they sent men to spy out Bethel (formerly called Luz),

Judges 1:23 esv

And the house of Joseph scouted out Bethel. (Now the name of the city was formerly Luz.)

Judges 1:23 nlt

They sent men to scout out Bethel (formerly known as Luz).

Judges 1 verses

Judges 1 23 Meaning

Judges 1:23 describes the strategic action undertaken by the tribal confederation known as the "House of Joseph"—primarily the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh—as they sought to conquer the city of Bethel. Before launching an attack, they dispatched a team to gather intelligence, or "spy out," the city's defenses and layout. The parenthetical remark informs the reader that Bethel was previously known by its older Canaanite name, Luz, underscoring its historical continuity and significant renaming in Israelite tradition.

Judges 1 23 Context

Judges chapter 1 sets the scene after Joshua's death, describing the initial, and often incomplete, efforts of the Israelite tribes to secure their God-allotted inheritances. While some victories are recounted (e.g., Judah's success in conquering Jerusalem's lower city), the dominant theme is the failure of most tribes to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants as commanded by God. The chapter systematically lists various tribes and their partial successes or outright failures in dispossessing the land's original inhabitants. In this context, Judges 1:23 focuses on the "House of Joseph," marking their initiative to conquer a key central highland city. The specific mention of Bethel (Luz) highlights a place of deep patriarchal and covenantal significance, serving as a reminder of God's earlier promises to Jacob at this very site (Gen 28:19; 35:15). Historically, the period was characterized by decentralized tribal actions, where individual tribes took responsibility for their allotted territories without a unified national military command, often leading to varied outcomes.

Judges 1 23 Word analysis

• And: (Heb. וְ - ve) Functions as a simple conjunction, connecting this action of the House of Joseph to the preceding narratives of other tribal endeavors, signifying a continuation of the post-Joshua conquest attempts.
• the house of Joseph: (Heb. בֵּית יוֹסֵף - beit Yosef) Refers collectively to the descendants of Joseph, specifically the prominent tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. This designation emphasizes their unity in purpose and action in the conquest narrative. It points to their significant influence and leadership among the central tribes, drawing from Jacob's prophetic blessing of Joseph's numerous and fruitful progeny (Gen 49:22-26).
• sent: (Heb. שָׁלְחוּ - shal'khu) A verb in the Piel perfect tense, indicating a completed and deliberate action. It signifies a proactive decision and dispatch, suggesting strategic planning rather than impulsive movement. This verb is often used for commissioning agents or messengers, in this case, spies.
• to spy out: (Heb. לָתוּר - la'tur) An infinitive construct, meaning "to scout," "to explore," or "to go about carefully inspecting." The root tur is consistently used in the Bible for intelligence gathering prior to military campaigns (e.g., the spies sent into Canaan in Num 13:17 or to Jericho in Josh 2:1). This indicates a cautious and tactical approach to warfare, seeking knowledge of enemy positions and vulnerabilities.
• Bethel: (Heb. בֵּית־אֵל - Beit-El) Literally "House of God." A site of profound theological importance for Israel. It was the place where Jacob had his dream of a ladder to heaven and encountered God (Gen 28:10-19), establishing a sacred covenantal connection. Its capture was not merely a military acquisition but a reclamation of a site sanctified by divine revelation, symbolically reinforcing Israel's covenantal claim to the land. Later, however, it became a notorious center for idolatry under Jeroboam (1 Kgs 12:28-29).
• (Now the name of the city before was Luz.): (Heb. וְשֵׁם הָעִיר לְפָנִים לוּז - v'shem ha'ir l'fanim Luz) This parenthetical note provides an important historical and literary detail.
  • Now the name of the city: A straightforward clarification, setting up the previous designation.
  • before: (Heb. לְפָנִים - l'fanim) Means "formerly" or "previously," clearly indicating the older, pre-Israelite name of the settlement.
  • Luz: (Heb. לוּז - Luz) An ancient Canaanite name for the city, likely meaning "almond tree." Its inclusion reminds the reader of the place's long history prior to Israelite conquest and also serves to highlight the significance of Jacob's renaming it "Bethel." This act of renaming by Jacob signifies a change from a Canaanite identity to one deeply connected with Israel's God, symbolizing the spiritual transformation and divine claim over the land. It asserts a deliberate polemic against lingering Canaanite identification for this sacred place, grounding it instead in the patriarchal narrative and Israel's theological heritage.

Judges 1 23 Bonus section

• The term "House of Joseph" as a single entity suggests a degree of tribal cooperation and collective decision-making for a specific military objective, standing out from the more fragmented actions of other tribes mentioned in this chapter. This highlights their particular strength and potentially more unified strategy in the central highlands compared to coastal or valley tribes.
• The fact that they sent spies indicates a practical military mindset. While God commanded the land's full possession, He often allowed for or even guided strategic planning and intelligence gathering, demonstrating that divine promises do not negate human responsibility and preparation in warfare. This balances faith in God's power with practical wisdom.
• Despite this strategic success (leading to the city's capture in the subsequent verses), the detailed account of how Bethel was taken (by identifying an insider who revealed an entrance, Jdg 1:24-25) underscores the complex realities of conquest and Israel's often-partial obedience to God's command for complete dispossession of the inhabitants.

Judges 1 23 Commentary

Judges 1:23 demonstrates a moment of strategic prudence amidst a broader narrative of mixed success in Israel's conquest. The House of Joseph's decision to "spy out" Bethel reflects a necessary tactical intelligence gathering before engagement, a principle established earlier in Israel's history (e.g., Num 13, Josh 2). This calculated approach contrasts with potentially reckless or incomplete efforts seen elsewhere in Judges. The inclusion of the city's former name, Luz, is more than a geographical detail; it's a significant theological anchor. By linking the conquest of Bethel back to Luz, the text intentionally draws a line to the foundational patriarchal narratives of Genesis, particularly Jacob's encounter with God and his subsequent renaming of the site. This emphasizes that the ongoing military actions of the tribes are not mere territorial grabs but a continuation of God's covenant promises to Israel concerning the land. The recovery of such a spiritually significant site reinforces Israel's claim as divinely sanctioned occupiers, despite their struggles.