Judges 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 {H3063} went up {H5927}; and the LORD {H3068} delivered {H5414} the Canaanites {H3669} and the Perizzites {H6522} into their hand {H3027}: and they slew {H5221} of them in Bezek {H966} ten {H6235} thousand {H505} men {H376}.

Y'hudah went up; and ADONAI gave the Kena'ani and the P'rizi into their hands; of those in Bezek they killed ten thousand men.

When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek.

And Judah went up; and Jehovah delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they smote of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

Commentary

Judges 1:4 marks a critical moment at the beginning of the book of Judges, immediately following the death of Joshua. It details the initial military success of the tribe of Judah against the Canaanite inhabitants of the promised land.

Context

After the unified leadership of Joshua, the tribes of Israel faced the ongoing challenge of fully dispossessing the indigenous peoples from the land God had promised them. Judges 1:1-3 describes how the Israelites, specifically the tribe of Judah, inquired of the LORD who should lead the first ascent into battle. The LORD appointed Judah, confirming their divine mandate to initiate the conquest. This verse, therefore, highlights the immediate obedience and the divine blessing upon Judah's campaign, setting an important tone for the initial phase of Israel's tribal conquests.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse explicitly states, "the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand." This emphasizes that the victory was not merely a result of Judah's military prowess, but a direct act of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. This theme of divine aid is central throughout the book of Judges, highlighting that true success in spiritual battles comes from God's intervention.
  • Obedience and Success: Judah's willingness to "go up" (Hebrew: alah, meaning to ascend, often for battle) in faith and according to God's direction led to immediate and significant success. Their decisive victory, slaying "ten thousand men" in Bezek, set a precedent for what could be achieved through reliance on the LORD. This initial success serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands.
  • Initial Fulfillment of Promise: The defeat of the Canaanites and Perizzites was a significant step towards the full possession of the land, a promise first given to Abraham and reiterated to Moses and Joshua. This verse serves as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His word, even as the challenges of complete conquest remained.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went up" (Hebrew: alah) signifies not just a physical ascent, but also a movement into action or battle, indicating Judah's initiative. The word "delivered" (Hebrew: nathan) is a strong verb meaning "gave" or "placed," underscoring God's active role in handing over the enemies to Judah. It leaves no doubt that the victory was a divine gift, not merely a human achievement.

Practical Application

Judges 1:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that when we seek God's direction and act in obedience to His will, He provides the necessary strength and deliverance for the challenges we face. Just as the LORD enabled Judah to overcome formidable enemies, He empowers us to face our spiritual battles and personal struggles. This verse encourages us to trust in God's power and promises, knowing that true victory comes through His hand, not solely our own efforts. It also highlights the importance of beginning any endeavor by seeking God's guidance, as Judah did in Judges 1:2, before taking action.

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

  • 1 Samuel 11:8

    And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

  • Deuteronomy 7:2

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Joshua 11:6

    And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

  • Joshua 11:8

    And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

  • 1 Samuel 17:46

    This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 17:47

    And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

  • 1 Kings 22:6

    Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king.
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