Judges 1 9

Judges 1:9 kjv

And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.

Judges 1:9 nkjv

And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who dwelt in the mountains, in the South, and in the lowland.

Judges 1:9 niv

After that, Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev and the western foothills.

Judges 1:9 esv

And afterward the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, in the Negeb, and in the lowland.

Judges 1:9 nlt

Then they went down to fight the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev, and the western foothills.

Judges 1 verses

Judges 1 9 Meaning

Judges 1:9 describes the actions of the tribe of Judah after the death of Joshua, indicating their continued military efforts to conquer and possess the land promised by God. Specifically, it states that Judah went into the challenging terrains of the mountains and the southern Negev region to fight against the Canaanite inhabitants who still resided there. This verse highlights Judah's obedience and active participation in the ongoing task of dispossessing the indigenous peoples of the land, moving beyond the initial large-scale conquests led by Joshua to secure their own territorial inheritance.

Judges 1 9 Context

Judges chapter 1 opens shortly after the death of Joshua, marking a transition in leadership from a central, unified commander to individual tribal responsibilities for completing the conquest of Canaan. While Joshua had secured significant victories, particularly in the central and northern regions, large pockets of Canaanite strongholds and peoples remained throughout the land. God had given Israel the entire land, but they were tasked with possessing it by driving out the inhabitants.

Judges 1:1-8 describes Judah being chosen by God to go first. They initially engaged the Canaanites in Bezek and Jerusalem with success, demonstrating their military prowess. Verse 9 then acts as a broader summary statement of Judah's continued campaign, particularly in the geographically challenging mountain range and the southern Negev, areas vital to their tribal inheritance that had not been fully subdued during Joshua's main campaigns. This verse sets the stage for specific examples of Judah and Simeon's further conquests detailed in the subsequent verses (1:10-20), including the significant act of Caleb dispossessing the Anakim from Hebron and Debir. Historically and culturally, this period involved ongoing skirmishes against well-fortified Canaanite city-states and various indigenous groups, necessitating consistent, localized tribal effort, often distinct from Joshua's grander strategies. The emphasis on the 'mountains' and 'South' points to a concerted effort to clear strategically important and often difficult terrain within their divinely allotted territory, indicating a measure of continued obedience amidst the rising pattern of compromise that characterizes the later chapters of Judges.

Judges 1 9 Word analysis

• And afterwards (Hebrew: וְאַחֲרֵי, ve'akharey): This conjunction emphasizes a temporal sequence, indicating that the events described follow the initial victories and consolidation efforts under Joshua, and specifically, follow Judah's initial conquests mentioned in Jdg 1:4-8 (e.g., of Jerusalem). It highlights the ongoing nature of the task rather than a complete, single conquest.
• the children of Judah (בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה, benei Yehudah): Specifies the tribe of Judah, already designated by God in Jdg 1:2 as the first to lead the renewed conquest efforts. This highlights their unique and divinely appointed leadership role in continuing to fulfill the promise of the land. Judah's actions here are pivotal for setting the example for the other tribes.
• went down (יָרְדוּ, yardu): From the root ירד (yarad), meaning "to descend" or "go down." This implies a geographic movement from the central highland regions, where many Israelite settlements were initially established or from which campaigns often launched, towards the lower valleys, plains (like the Shephelah) or the southern Negev plateau where Canaanite strongholds were located. It also indicates an active, aggressive military maneuver into enemy territory.
• to fight (לְהִלָּחֵם, lehilachem): From the root לחם (lacham), meaning "to fight, wage war." This directly states the purpose of their movement, indicating armed conflict as the means of taking possession of the land as commanded by God (Deu 7:1-5). It emphasizes a state of ongoing warfare rather than settled peace.
• against the Canaanites (בַּכְּנַעֲנִי, bakhKna'ani): Identifies the primary ethnic group and long-standing adversaries against whom Israel was commanded to wage war. The divine mandate was to dispossess and destroy these nations due to their idolatry and wickedness (Lev 18:24-28), making the fight both a military and a theological imperative.
• who dwelt (הַיּוֹשֵׁב, hayyoshev): A participle indicating those who permanently resided in these areas. This signifies that these were not nomadic groups but settled populations in fortified cities or established territories, underscoring the challenge Judah faced.
• in the mountains (בָהָר, bahar): Refers to the central hill country of Judah. This region was rugged, defensible, and difficult terrain for offensive warfare, often featuring strongholds. Control of this area was vital for security and establishing territorial claims.
• and in the South (וּבַנֶּגֶב, uvanNegev): Refers to the semi-arid southern region, a vital strategic area connecting Judah to the wilderness and trade routes. This area, alongside the mountains, comprised key parts of Judah's assigned inheritance and presented its own set of geographic and military challenges.

Words-Group Analysis

• "And afterwards the children of Judah went down to fight": This phrase portrays a continued and active military campaign by the tribe of Judah, post-Joshua's primary leadership. It demonstrates their initiative and commitment to fulfilling God's command regarding the conquest. The "going down" suggests deliberate action to engage the enemy on their own turf, possibly implying tactical superiority or audacious determination.
• "against the Canaanites who dwelt in the mountains and in the South": This specifies the particular adversaries and the difficult terrain they occupied. It highlights the significant challenges that remained for the Israelites after Joshua's initial campaigns. The specific mention of "mountains and in the South" directly links to Judah's allotted territory, particularly Hebron and the surrounding areas, which Caleb of Judah later takes a prominent role in subduing. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the remaining conquest for Judah's tribal inheritance. The enduring presence of the Canaanites underscores the ongoing struggle against those who represented a spiritual and physical threat to Israel's identity and purity.

Judges 1 9 Bonus section

The specific mention of the "mountains and in the South" (Negev) within Judah's territory carries significant historical and geographical weight. The mountainous region often allowed Canaanites to establish fortified strongholds due to its defensible terrain. Subduing this area was critical for Israelite control, trade routes, and secure habitation. The Negev, while semi-arid, was crucial for its agricultural potential, pasture lands, and strategic connections to Egypt and the Red Sea. Judah's targeted efforts here indicate a comprehensive approach to securing their borders and resource areas.

The Anakim, remnants of whom likely populated these mountain regions (though not explicitly named in this verse, their defeat immediately follows in Jdg 1:10, contextually implying their presence), represented a deep-seated fear from the initial scouting reports in Numbers. Judah, particularly through Caleb, faced these "giants" head-on. This speaks to the faith required to fulfill God's promises even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, reminding the Israelites (and later readers) that true conquest involves confronting long-standing fears and perceived limitations, trusting in divine enablement. This proactive action of Judah at the outset stands in stark contrast to the passive failures and compromises seen later among other tribes in the chapter.

Judges 1 9 Commentary

Judges 1:9 encapsulates Judah's pivotal role and determined action in the ongoing, piecemeal conquest of Canaan after Joshua's death. Unlike later tribes who failed to fully dispossess their inhabitants, Judah exhibits initial diligence. The phrase "went down to fight" signifies a purposeful, often arduous, campaign into enemy strongholds. Their focus on the "mountains and in the South" indicates a strategic drive to secure the very heartland of their inheritance—areas like Hebron (Jdg 1:10), a crucial high-ground stronghold, and the Negev. The continuous presence of the Canaanites, especially those dwelling in fortified regions, highlights that the "Promised Land" was not simply given as an empty parcel, but required active, often difficult, faith-filled engagement. Judah’s efforts, particularly in tackling formidable groups like the Anakim (implied here, made explicit in Jdg 1:10, and Josh 14:12), demonstrate a commitment to divine mandates and a willingness to confront long-standing obstacles. This verse sets the stage for a period of ongoing, fragmented warfare as individual tribes strived (or failed) to complete God's command, providing a foundational contrast to the systemic failures that define much of the book of Judges. It reminds believers of the need for persistent, proactive spiritual battle in securing their divine inheritance and fulfilling God's calling, facing obstacles without retreat.