Then Judah went up and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, and they defeated 10,000 of them at Bezek.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights that the Lord delivered the enemies into Judah's hand, emphasizing that military success wasn't solely due to Judah's might, but a gift from God. This contrasts sharply with ancient Near Eastern accounts that typically lauded human leaders, pointing to a fundamental difference in how Israel understood victory.
Then Judah went up and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, and they defeated 10,000 of them at Bezek.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Joshua's death, the Israelites, particularly the tribe of Judah, seek divine guidance on how to proceed with conquering the remaining Canaanites. God responds by directing Judah, along with their allies from Simeon, to attack, and this verse highlights their initial success where they defeated a significant number of Canaanites and Perizzites in the region of Bezek. This victory sets the stage for the subsequent capture of the city of Bezek and the confrontation with its ruler, Adoni-bezek, as detailed in the verses immediately following.
Who do you think wins battles? The mightiest army? The best strategy? This verse gives us a different perspective.
Who's Really in Charge?
Judah goes up to fight, and what happens? The text is crystal clear: "the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand." This isn't just a nice little add-on; it's the reason for their success.
A Divine Partnership
The scholars point out that ancient Near Eastern accounts would boast about generals and armies. But here, the focus is on God acting. Judah went up, they slew them, but the crucial phrase is that God delivered them.
It's like a skilled athlete who trains hard, but knows their ultimate performance is a gift of God's strength and timing. The human effort is real and necessary, but the victory itself flows from the Lord.
Ever wonder why the Bible sometimes mentions specific places and directions? There's often more to it than just geography.
More Than Just a Location
Judah "went up" to fight. This wasn't just a casual trip; "going up" often signified moving towards higher, central ground, like Jerusalem, or moving from a more peripheral area towards the heart of enemy territory. It implies a deliberate, strategic advance.
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And "Bezek"? Scholars note it likely wasn't the city itself they first conquered, but the surrounding territory. This makes sense – you often subdue the land around a city before taking the stronghold itself. The mention of Bezek, a place later significant in Israel's history (1 Samuel 11:8), grounds this spiritual victory in a real, physical landscape.
Understand the original words
Perizzi · Hebrew Noun
An ancient people living in the land of Canaan, typically listed among the inhabitants the Israelites were commanded to drive out or subdue due to their idolatrous practices.
This passage highlights the crucial moment after Joshua's death, emphasizing that even without their great leader, the Israelites' continued success depended on their reliance on God and their willingness to take initiative in obedience.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua Leads Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began a series of military campaigns to conquer the land of Canaan.
c. 1390 BC
Death of Joshua
After leading the Israelites for many years, Joshua dies, leaving the remaining conquest of the land unfinished.
c. 1390 BC
Israelites Inquire of the Lord
Following Joshua's death, the Israelites ask the Lord who should lead the ongoing war against the Canaanites.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Judah and Simeon Begin Conquest
The tribe of Judah, joined by Simeon, takes the initiative to fight against the Canaanites and Perizzites, starting in the southern regions.
c. 1390 BC
Defeat of Adoni-bezek
Judah captures Adoni-bezek, a Canaanite king, and brings him to Jerusalem, where he confesses to brutal practices and suffers a similar fate.
This passage prophesies that the tribe of Judah will be dominant, with kings arising from its line, which is fulfilled in their leadership and victory in Judges 1:4.
Exodus 23:27This verse promises that God will drive out the Canaanites before Israel, directly aligning with the fulfillment described in Judges 1:4 where God delivered them into Judah's hand.
1 Samuel 11:8This passage mentions Saul gathering Israel at Bezek before battle, suggesting Bezek was a significant location for military musters and conflict, echoing its mention as a place of battle in Judges 1:4.
Joshua 1:3God promises Joshua that every place the sole of his foot will tread upon shall be theirs, which sets the stage for the conquest and land distribution that Judah begins in Judges 1:4.
bensonJudges 1:4: "And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men."
Jdg 1:4 . Judah went up — The people of that tribe were principally concerned in this expedition, and therefore are only mentioned, though those of the tribe of Simeon went up with them. And the Lord delivered, &c. — We meet with no such pious expression (which occurs often here) in any heathen writer. In them every success is attributed to…
gillJudges 1:4: "And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men."
And Judah went up,.... Simeon being along with him, from the southern parts of the land, where they dwelt, and went more northward towards Jerusalem, and which therefore is called a going up: and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands: into the hands of Judah and Simeon: the Canaanites here is not the common name o…
The text highlights that the Lord delivered the enemies into Judah's hand, emphasizing that military success wasn't solely due to Judah's might, but a gift from God. This contrasts sharply with ancient Near Eastern accounts that typically lauded human leaders, pointing to a fundamental difference in how Israel understood victory.
Following Joshua's death, the Israelites, particularly the tribe of Judah, seek divine guidance on how to proceed with conquering the remaining Canaanites. God responds by directing Judah, along with their allies from Simeon, to attack, and this verse highlights their initial success where they defeated a significant number of Canaanites and Perizzites in the region of Bezek. This victory sets the stage for the subsequent capture of the city of Bezek and the confrontation with its ruler, Adoni-bezek, as detailed in the verses immediately following.
Following Joshua's death, the Israelites, particularly the tribe of Judah, seek divine guidance on how to proceed with conquering the remaining Canaanites. God responds by directing Judah, along with their allies from Simeon, to attack, and this verse highlights their initial success where they defeated a significant number of Canaanites and Perizzites in the region of Bezek. This victory sets the stage for the subsequent capture of the city of Bezek and the confrontation with its ruler, Adoni-bezek, as detailed in the verses immediately following.
"Then Judah went up and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, and they defeated 10,000 of them at Bezek." — The text highlights that the Lord delivered the enemies into Judah's hand, emphasizing that military success wasn't solely due to Judah's might, but a gift from God. This contrasts sharply with anc…
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Last reviewed October 2026