Judges 1:21

KJV

¶ And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} did not drive out {H3423} the Jebusites {H2983} that inhabited {H3427} Jerusalem {H3389}; but the Jebusites {H2983} dwell {H3427} with the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} in Jerusalem {H3389} unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Binyamin did not drive out the Y'vusi who inhabited Yerushalayim; rather, the Y'vusi continued living with the people of Binyamin in Yerushalayim, as they do to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.

American Standard Version

And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 1:21 recounts the significant failure of the tribe of Benjamin to fully dispossess the Jebusite inhabitants of Jerusalem, a strategically vital city in the promised land. Instead of obeying God's command to drive them out, Benjamin allowed the Jebusites to dwell alongside them, a compromise that persisted "unto this day" when the book was written. This verse stands as a poignant illustration of Israel's partial obedience, highlighting the enduring consequences of their failure to fully claim their divine inheritance and eradicate the spiritual and cultural impurities that threatened their covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 1 serves as a crucial bridge between the triumphant conquest narrative of Joshua and the cyclical apostasy that defines the period of the Judges. The chapter begins by detailing initial, yet ultimately incomplete, efforts of the Israelite tribes to secure their allotted territories after Joshua's death. While [Judah and Simeon achieve notable successes](/judges/1-1-20 "Judges 1:1-20 - Initial Conquests by Judah and Simeon"), Judges 1:21 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative, introducing a recurring theme of tribal failure to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants. This verse, along with subsequent accounts of other tribes' shortcomings, sets a somber tone for the entire book, revealing that Israel's inability to fully obey God's command to [utterly drive out the inhabitants](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy") becomes the root cause of the cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance that characterize the era.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of the Israelite conquest, Jerusalem was a formidable Canaanite stronghold known as Jebus, inhabited by the Jebusites. Its strategic location in the central highlands, situated on the border between the territories assigned to Judah and Benjamin, made its capture critical for consolidating Israelite control. God's explicit command to Israel was to utterly destroy or drive out the Canaanite peoples to prevent their idolatrous practices and corrupting influence from undermining Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. This command is clearly articulated in passages like [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Warning Against Leaving Inhabitants"), which warns of the consequences of allowing these inhabitants to remain. The "dwelling together" described in Judges 1:21 signifies a profound compromise, where the Israelites tolerated the presence of pagan peoples within their borders, leading inevitably to cultural and religious syncretism. This period was also characterized by a decentralized tribal structure, lacking a unified central authority, which contributed to inconsistent obedience and a fragmented effort in completing the conquest.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 1:21 powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **incomplete obedience**, where Benjamin's failure to fully execute God's command highlights the spiritual dangers of partial obedience and compromise. This stands in stark contrast to the total devotion and loyalty God demanded from His covenant people. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of the **consequences of disobedience**, as the continued presence of the Jebusites in Jerusalem would indeed serve as a [persistent "thorn in their sides"](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Warning Against Leaving Inhabitants"), leading to future spiritual and social challenges for Israel. Finally, the verse highlights the **significance of Jerusalem** even at this nascent stage of Israel's history. That this crucial city, later destined to become the capital of Israel and the spiritual center housing the Temple, remained unconquered by Benjamin for centuries until [King David's eventual capture](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6 - David Captures Jerusalem") underscores the profound gravity of their initial failure and foreshadows the long struggle Israel would face in fully establishing God's kingdom on earth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jebusites (Hebrew, _Yᵉbûwçîy_):** A patrial term referring to the inhabitants of Jebus, the ancient name for Jerusalem. As a Canaanite tribe, their continued presence in Jerusalem, despite the divine mandate for dispossesssion, represents a critical failure on Israel's part. They symbolize the "enemy within" that Israel failed to fully conquer, leading to ongoing spiritual and cultural contamination through their idolatrous practices and pagan customs.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim_):** This city, known as Jebus at the time of the conquest, was a heavily fortified stronghold. Its name, likely meaning "founded peaceful," stands in ironic contrast to the constant conflict and spiritual compromise that its unconquered status brought to Israel. The fact that this specific city, later to become the spiritual and political heart of the nation, remained outside Israelite control for centuries due to Benjamin's failure underscores the profound implications of this disobedience, symbolizing the unconquered strongholds within Israel's own territory and, by extension, within the human heart.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm_):** This word, meaning a literal day or a defined period of time, is part of the phrase "unto this day" (_ʿad hayyōm hazzeh_). This common literary marker in biblical historical narratives serves to emphasize the enduring nature or consequence of an event or condition up to the time of the author or editor. In Judges 1:21, it highlights the long-term, persistent impact of Benjamin's failure to drive out the Jebusites, indicating that this compromise was not a temporary oversight but a deeply entrenched reality that continued for generations, even into the monarchical period when the book was likely compiled.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem;":** This initial clause directly states the failure of the tribe of Benjamin. The verb "did not drive out" (Hebrew, _lo' hôrîš_) signifies a deliberate and active failure to obey God's clear command for complete dispossesssion of the Canaanite inhabitants. The specific mention of "Jerusalem" (Jebus) highlights the strategic and symbolic importance of the unconquered city, a critical stronghold that remained outside Israelite control due to their disobedience.
* **"but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day."**: This second clause describes the immediate and lasting consequence of Benjamin's failure: coexistence. Instead of conquest and removal, there was a settlement for shared space. The phrase "dwell with" (Hebrew, _yēšəḇû ʿim_) indicates a state of tolerated presence and integration, a direct contradiction to God's instructions. The concluding "unto this day" emphasizes the enduring nature of this compromise, serving as a constant reminder of Benjamin's disobedience and the ongoing spiritual danger posed by the unexpelled inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Benjamin's failure to conquer Jerusalem foreshadows the broader pattern of Israel's spiritual decline and compromise throughout the book of Judges. This initial act of disobedience sets the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that characterize the era. There is also a subtle **irony** in that the tribe of Benjamin, later renowned for its fierce warriors and for producing Israel's first king, Saul, failed to conquer such a pivotal city. The phrase "unto this day" functions as a **formulaic expression** or **historical marker**, drawing the reader's attention to the enduring consequences of the events described and emphasizing the historical continuity of the problem. This device connects the ancient narrative directly to the contemporary reality of the audience, highlighting the long-term ramifications of disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 1:21 is not merely a historical note; it carries profound theological weight, illustrating the critical importance of complete obedience to God's commands. Benjamin's failure to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem serves as a microcosm of Israel's broader spiritual struggle: the temptation to compromise with the world rather than to fully consecrate themselves to God. This partial obedience, born of fear, convenience, or lack of faith, left a spiritual "thorn" in their side, leading to ongoing idolatry, moral decay, and national weakness throughout the period of the Judges. It underscores that God's commands are not arbitrary but are given for the protection and flourishing of His people, and that compromise with evil inevitably leads to corruption and hinders the full realization of His kingdom purposes.

* [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Warning Against Leaving Inhabitants")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")
* [Joshua 15:63](/joshua/15-63 "Joshua 15:63 - Judah's Failure to Dispossess Jebusites")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The historical account of Benjamin's failure in Judges 1:21 holds powerful and enduring lessons for believers today. Just as the Jebusites remained a persistent presence in Jerusalem, there are "Jebusites" in our own lives – areas of unconfessed sin, unyielded habits, or worldly influences that we tolerate rather than actively driving out. Partial obedience, settling for coexistence with anything that contradicts God's revealed will, inevitably hinders our spiritual growth, compromises our witness, and leaves us vulnerable to spiritual attack and the subtle erosion of our faith. This verse calls us to a radical, uncompromising surrender to Christ's lordship in every area of our lives. It challenges us to honestly identify those "strongholds" that we have allowed to remain and to actively engage in the spiritual warfare necessary to dispossess them, relying on God's power and the indwelling Holy Spirit rather than our own limited strength or convenience. True freedom, spiritual vitality, and flourishing come not from comfortable coexistence with sin, but from complete obedience and a relentless pursuit of holiness and conformity to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jebusites" (areas of unconfessed sin, compromise, or worldly influence) might I be tolerating in my own life or community?**
* **How does partial obedience, even in seemingly small matters, hinder my spiritual growth, compromise my witness, and affect my relationship with God?**
* **What specific steps, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can I take to fully surrender these areas to Christ's authority and actively drive out anything that opposes His will and purposes for my life?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jerusalem so important, and why was its unconquered status a problem?**

Answer: Jerusalem (then Jebus) was strategically vital due to its elevated, easily defensible position in the central highlands, making it a natural fortress and a key communication hub. Its unconquered status by Benjamin represented a significant failure because it left a powerful, pagan stronghold within the heart of Israel's promised land. This not only posed a military and political threat but, more importantly, a spiritual one. The continued presence of the Jebusites meant ongoing exposure to their idolatrous practices and cultural norms, which God had explicitly commanded Israel to eradicate to preserve their covenant purity. This failure created a persistent "thorn in their side" and delayed the full establishment of God's kingdom in the land until [King David eventually captured it centuries later](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6 - David Captures Jerusalem").

**Does "unto this day" mean the Jebusites were still there when Judges was written?**

Answer: Yes, the phrase "unto this day" is a common literary device in biblical historical narratives, indicating that the described situation or condition persisted up to the time of the author or editor of the text. In the context of Judges 1:21, it strongly implies that the Jebusite presence in Jerusalem continued for a significant period after the initial conquest, likely well into the monarchical era when the Book of Judges is thought to have been compiled or edited. This phrase serves to underscore the long-term consequences of Benjamin's failure and highlights the enduring nature of their compromise with the Canaanite inhabitants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The failure of Benjamin to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem in Judges 1:21 powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to fully conquer the strongholds of sin and evil on its own. Just as Benjamin settled for coexistence with the enemy, humanity, left to its own devices, is prone to compromise with sin, unable to achieve true spiritual freedom or holiness. This narrative points to the ultimate Conqueror, Jesus Christ, who alone could accomplish what Israel, and indeed all humanity, could not. He did not merely coexist with sin; He decisively triumphed over it and its consequences on the cross, utterly [disarming the spiritual powers and authorities](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities") that held humanity captive. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has definitively [destroyed the power of death and the devil](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death"), establishing a new, spiritual Jerusalem—His Church—where sin and death have no lasting dominion. Believers, united with Christ, are empowered by His Spirit to overcome the "Jebusites" of sin in their own lives, not through their own strength, but by participating in His victory, ultimately looking forward to the [New Jerusalem where no enemy or impurity will ever dwell](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem Descending").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 15:63

As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Joshua 18:11

¶ And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

Joshua 18:28

And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which [is] Jerusalem, Gibeath, [and] Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This [is] the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

Judges 19:10

But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which [is] Jerusalem; and [there were] with him two asses saddled, his concubine also [was] with him.

Judges 19:12

And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that [is] not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.

2 Samuel 5:6

¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

2 Samuel 5:9

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.