Judah also captured Gaza with its territory, and Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that the victories were not permanent; while Judah "took" these important Philistine cities, they didn't "inherit" or permanently possess them, as evidenced by later Philistine dominance. The text subtly points to the ongoing struggle, implying that "taking" a city and truly conquering its people and land were two very different things.
Judah also captured Gaza with its territory, and Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the ongoing military campaigns of the tribe of Judah as they begin to conquer their assigned territory in Canaan. Following earlier successes against mountain dwellers, Judah turns its attention to the coastal plain, capturing several key Philistine cities. However, the text subtly notes that these victories were not permanent, as the Philistines would later reclaim these strongholds and remain a persistent challenge.
Judah achieved significant military victories, but the land wasn't fully theirs. What does this teach us about the nature of conquest and possession?
In Judges 1:18, we see the tribe of Judah capturing three major Philistine cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron, along with their surrounding territories. This sounds like a decisive victory, doesn't it? However, the commentaries highlight a crucial point: these conquests were often temporary.
Fleeting Gains
This pattern shows us that a military victory or a spiritual breakthrough is not always the end of the struggle. True inheritance and lasting peace often require more than just initial success; they demand faithfulness and complete obedience.
These weren't just any cities; they were strongholds of the powerful Philistines. What does their presence signify for Israel's journey?
The cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron were key centers of Philistine power. The fact that Judah 'took' them, even temporarily, is significant, but the persistent presence and eventual reassertion of Philistine control underscore a critical aspect of the Promised Land experience.
Ask a follow-up
A Persistent Adversary
This constant pressure from the Philistines served as a crucial backdrop to Israel's spiritual and national development. It was a reminder that the land promised by God was also a place of conflict, requiring ongoing reliance on Him.
This passage highlights the early, but often temporary, successes of the Israelite tribes. The repeated mention of these specific Philistine cities emphasizes the ongoing struggle for control of the land, a struggle that would define much of Israel's history in the period of the Judges.
c. 1446 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
After centuries of slavery, God dramatically delivered the Israelites from Egypt, leading them into the wilderness for a generation.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began the military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan.
c. 1406-1400 BC
Division of the Land
After major military victories, the land of Canaan was divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel, including Judah.
c. 1375 BC— this verse
Judah's Campaign
The tribe of Judah, along with Simeon, began military operations against the Canaanites in the southern hill country and lowlands.
c. 1375 BC
Philistine Resurgence
Despite initial Israelite advances, the Philistines, a powerful sea-faring people, gradually reasserted control over their coastal cities.
This passage lists the same five Philistine cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, Ashdod, and Gath) as unconquered territories, highlighting the ongoing struggle for control even after initial attempts.
Judges 3:3This verse specifically names the Philistines (along with Canaanites, Sidonians, and Hivites) as peoples that the Lord left to test Israel, directly linking the ongoing conflict in these cities to God's larger plan.
Judges 10:6-7This passage describes a later period where Israel again falls into sin and the Lord delivers them into the hands of the Philistines and others, showing a recurring cycle of conquest and oppression related to these same coastal cities.
1 Samuel 4:1This verse shows the Philistines gathering for battle at Aphek, a location not far from these coastal cities, indicating their continued presence and dominance in the region centuries later.
Jeremiah 47:1This prophetic passage speaks of God's judgment against the Philistines, mentioning Gaza and Ashkelon specifically, demonstrating that these cities remained significant throughout biblical history and were subjects of divine prophecy.
gillJudges 1:18: "Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof."
Also Judah took Gaza, with the coast thereof,.... Which by lot fell to that tribe, Joshua 15:47 ; it was not till now subdued: and Ashkelon with the coast thereof; which, according to our countryman Sandys (q), was ten miles from Gaza: and Ekron with the coast thereof; this also is the lot that fell to Judah, but was afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, Joshua 15:45…
expositorsJudges 1:12-26: "And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife."
THE WAY OF THE SWORD Jdg 1:12-26 THE name Kiriath-sepher, that is Book-Town, has been supposed to point to the existence of a semi-popular literature among the pre-Judaean inhabitants of Canaan. We cannot build with any certainty upon a name; but there are other facts of some significance. Already the Phoenicians, the merchants of the age, some of whom no doubt visited…
This verse highlights that the victories were not permanent; while Judah "took" these important Philistine cities, they didn't "inherit" or permanently possess them, as evidenced by later Philistine dominance. The text subtly points to the ongoing struggle, implying that "taking" a city and truly conquering its people and land were two very different things.
This passage describes the ongoing military campaigns of the tribe of Judah as they begin to conquer their assigned territory in Canaan. Following earlier successes against mountain dwellers, Judah turns its attention to the coastal plain, capturing several key Philistine cities. However, the text subtly notes that these victories were not permanent, as the Philistines would later reclaim these strongholds and remain a persistent challenge.
This passage describes the ongoing military campaigns of the tribe of Judah as they begin to conquer their assigned territory in Canaan. Following earlier successes against mountain dwellers, Judah turns its attention to the coastal plain, capturing several key Philistine cities. However, the text subtly notes that these victories were not permanent, as the Philistines would later reclaim these strongholds and remain a persistent challenge.
"Judah also captured Gaza with its territory, and Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory." — This verse highlights that the victories were not permanent; while Judah "took" these important Philistine cities, they didn't "inherit" or permanently possess them, as evidenced by later Philistine…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026