Judges 1:23

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

And the house {H1004} of Joseph {H3130} sent to descry {H8446} Bethel {H1008}.(Now the name {H8034} of the city {H5892} before {H6440} was Luz {H3870}.)

The house of Yosef sent spies to Beit-El (the city was formerly called Luz).

They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz),

And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Beth-el. (Now the name of the city beforetime was Luz.)

Commentary

Judges 1:23 details a strategic move by the Israelite tribes as they continue the process of conquering the Promised Land after the death of Joshua. Specifically, it focuses on the actions of the "house of Joseph," which represents the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, as they prepare to take the significant city of Bethel.

Context

This verse is situated in the opening chapter of Judges, which describes the fragmented and often incomplete efforts of the individual Israelite tribes to dispossess the Canaanites from the land God had promised them. Following the initial successes of the tribe of Judah (mentioned earlier in Judges 1), the narrative shifts to the house of Joseph. Their decision to "descry" (spy out) Bethel indicates a methodical approach to warfare, reminiscent of earlier campaigns under Joshua.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Continued Conquest: The verse highlights the ongoing, generation-spanning effort to inhabit the land God promised. It wasn't a single, swift event but a process requiring continued effort and strategy from each tribe.
  • Strategic Warfare: The act of "sending to descry" emphasizes the importance of intelligence gathering and careful planning in military operations, even when God's divine promise is at play. It shows human responsibility in executing God's will.
  • Significance of Place Names: The parenthetical note, "Now the name of the city before [was] Luz," is crucial. It points to the historical and spiritual significance of the location. The change from Luz to Bethel reflects a transformation or re-dedication of the place, linking it to a foundational moment in Israel's history.

Linguistic Insights

The name Bethel (Hebrew: Beth-El) literally means "House of God." This name was famously given to the city by Jacob after his profound encounter with God there, where he saw a ladder reaching to heaven and received divine promises (Genesis 28:19). Before this, its Canaanite name was Luz, meaning "almond tree" or "deviation." The act of "descrying" (Hebrew: tur) means to scout, explore, or spy out, indicating a reconnaissance mission.

Practical Application

Judges 1:23 offers several layers of application for believers today:

  • Diligent Pursuit: Just as the Israelites had to actively "descry" and conquer the land, believers are called to diligently pursue and possess the spiritual blessings and promises God has given them (Ephesians 1:3). This often requires strategic thinking, patience, and perseverance.
  • Transformation of Place and Life: The renaming of Luz to Bethel symbolizes a spiritual transformation. Places, and indeed lives, can be redeemed and dedicated to God's purposes, moving from a common or even pagan identity to a "House of God" where His presence is recognized and honored.
  • Understanding History: The inclusion of historical details like the former name Luz reminds us that God's plan unfolds in real time and space, building upon past events and shaping future ones. Understanding our spiritual heritage can deepen our appreciation for God's faithfulness.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 28:19 (5 votes)

    And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city [was called] Luz at the first.

  • Genesis 35:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ So Jacob came to Luz, which [is] in the land of Canaan, that [is], Bethel, he and all the people that [were] with him.

  • Genesis 48:3 (3 votes)

    And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

  • Judges 18:2 (2 votes)

    And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there.

  • Joshua 2:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

  • Joshua 7:2 (2 votes)

    And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which [is] beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.