Judges 1:5

KJV

And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they found {H4672} Adonibezek {H137} in Bezek {H966}: and they fought {H3898} against him, and they slew {H5221} the Canaanites {H3669} and the Perizzites {H6522}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him. They killed the Kena'ani and the P'rizi,

Berean Standard Bible

And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites.

American Standard Version

And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him, and they smote the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 1:5 details a significant engagement in the early stages of Israel's post-Joshua conquest of Canaan, specifically highlighting the tribe of Judah's successful confrontation with Adonibezek, the king of Bezek. This verse records the decisive victory where Judah, acting upon divine direction and in alliance with Simeon, located and defeated Adonibezek and his forces, comprising Canaanites and Perizzites, marking a continuation of the divinely mandated dispossessing of the land's inhabitants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 1:5 is an integral part of the opening narrative of the Book of Judges, which immediately follows the death of Joshua. The chapter begins with the Israelites seeking divine guidance on who should lead the charge in continuing the conquest of the Promised Land ([Judges 1:1-2](/judges/1-1 "Judges 1:1-2 - Israel Seeks Guidance")). The Lord designates Judah, who then enlists the assistance of the tribe of Simeon ([Judges 1:3](/judges/1-3 "Judges 1:3 - Judah and Simeon's Alliance")). Judges 1:4 recounts Judah's initial success, where the Lord delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hand, resulting in a victory over ten thousand men. Judges 1:5 then narrows the focus to a specific, high-profile encounter with Adonibezek, setting the stage for his capture and subsequent punishment detailed in [Judges 1:6-7](/judges/1-6 "Judges 1:6-7 - Adonibezek's Capture and Punishment"), which serves as a powerful illustration of divine retribution. This sequence establishes the early, albeit temporary, period of Israel's faithfulness and success in the conquest before the recurring cycles of disobedience and oppression that characterize the rest of the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Judges 1:5 occur in the period immediately following Israel's initial conquest under Joshua, likely spanning the late 13th to early 12th century BCE. The land of Canaan was not a unified kingdom but a patchwork of city-states, each ruled by its own king or chieftain, often allied for defense. Adonibezek, as "Lord of Bezek," represents one such regional ruler. The Canaanites and Perizzites were two of the many indigenous ethnic groups inhabiting the land, known for their polytheistic religions, idolatrous practices (including child sacrifice), and often brutal warfare. The divine command to dispossess these nations was rooted in God's desire to prevent their corrupting influence from defiling Israel and to establish a holy people in a holy land. Bezek itself was likely a strategically important location, possibly a fortified city, making its capture and the defeat of its king a significant military and symbolic victory for the nascent Israelite confederacy.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 1:5 contributes to several overarching themes in the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Continued Obedience to the Divine Mandate**, as Israel, at least initially, perseveres in the task of dispossessing the Canaanite inhabitants after Joshua's death, demonstrating a period of faithfulness to God's command given in [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Dispossess Nations"). Secondly, it exemplifies **Divine Empowerment and Deliverance**, even though the Lord's direct intervention is not explicitly stated in this verse, the swift and decisive victory against a powerful king like Adonibezek implies God's continued hand in empowering His people, fulfilling His promise to fight for Israel and deliver their enemies into their hand, as seen in [Deuteronomy 7:24](/deuteronomy/7-24 "Deuteronomy 7:24 - God Delivering Enemies"). Thirdly, the defeat of the Canaanites and Perizzites highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment on Wickedness**, as these nations were under God's righteous judgment for their profound moral corruption and idolatry, making their defeat an act of justice against sin, a concept echoed in passages like [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Land Vomits Out Inhabitants").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adonibezek (Hebrew, _ʼĂḏōnî-Bezeq'_):** The name is a compound of "Adoni" (אֲדֹנִי), meaning "my lord" or "lord of," and "Bezek" (בֶּזֶק), the name of the city. Thus, "Adonibezek" literally translates to "Lord of Bezek." This title is not a personal name but a regnal title, signifying his authority and dominion over the region. His prominence makes his defeat a particularly significant victory for Judah, indicating the conquering of a major regional power rather than a minor skirmish. The subsequent narrative in [Judges 1:6-7](/judges/1-6 "Judges 1:6-7 - Adonibezek's Capture and Punishment") reveals his extreme cruelty, which further underscores the justice of his defeat.
* **Bezek (Hebrew, _Bezeq'_):** This geographical location is crucial to the narrative. While its precise location is debated, it is generally understood to be a significant Canaanite stronghold, likely in the territory assigned to Judah. The name "Bezek" itself might derive from a root meaning "lightning" or "to scatter," possibly alluding to a swift or decisive action that occurred there, or perhaps to the nature of the terrain. The fact that Adonibezek was "found" there suggests it was his seat of power or a key assembly point for his forces, making it the focal point of the battle.
* **Canaanites and Perizzites (Hebrew, _Kĕnaʻănî_ and _Pĕrizzî_):** These refer to two of the numerous pre-Israelite ethnic groups inhabiting the land of Canaan. The "Canaanites" generally referred to the inhabitants of the lowlands and coastal areas, often associated with trade and fortified cities. The "Perizzites" were more typically associated with the open country or rural areas, possibly living in unwalled villages. Their joint mention here indicates that Adonibezek's forces were composed of a coalition of these indigenous peoples, highlighting the diverse and formidable opposition Israel faced in their divinely mandated task of dispossessing the land. Their defeat signifies the initial success of Judah in fulfilling the command to drive out these idolatrous nations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they found Adonibezek in Bezek:"** The "they" refers to the combined forces of Judah and Simeon, as established in [Judges 1:3](/judges/1-3 "Judges 1:3 - Judah and Simeon's Alliance"). This clause emphasizes the successful reconnaissance and strategic positioning of the Israelite forces. They actively sought out the enemy king in his stronghold, rather than passively waiting for an engagement. This proactive approach underscores their initial determination and obedience to the divine mandate to conquer the land.
* **"and they fought against him,"** This short phrase encapsulates the military engagement itself. It signifies a direct confrontation with Adonibezek, implying a pitched battle rather than a mere rout. The success of this fight is implicitly attributed to divine aid, as seen in the preceding verse ([Judges 1:4](/judges/1-4 "Judges 1:4 - Judah's Initial Victory")), where the Lord delivered the enemies into their hand. The act of fighting demonstrates the human responsibility in the conquest, working in conjunction with God's sovereign power.
* **"and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites."** This final clause describes the decisive outcome of the battle. The "slew" (Hebrew: וַיַּכּוּ, _vayyakkū_) indicates a comprehensive defeat and slaughter of the enemy forces. The specific mention of "the Canaanites and the Perizzites" clarifies that the victory extended beyond merely defeating Adonibezek himself to dismantling his supporting army, which comprised these two prominent indigenous groups. This act was a direct fulfillment of the divine command to utterly destroy the inhabitants of the land, preventing their idolatrous practices from corrupting Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 1:5 employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Narrative Progression** is evident as the verse moves the story forward from the general victory in [Judges 1:4](/judges/1-4 "Judges 1:4 - Judah's Initial Victory") to a specific, high-stakes encounter, setting the stage for the dramatic events of [Judges 1:6-7](/judges/1-6 "Judges 1:6-7 - Adonibezek's Capture and Punishment"). The concise, action-oriented language ("found," "fought," "slew") creates a sense of rapid, decisive action, highlighting the effectiveness of Judah's campaign. There is an element of **Foreshadowing** as the defeat of Adonibezek here anticipates his capture and the ironic justice meted out to him in the subsequent verses. The mention of "Canaanites and Perizzites" serves as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where these specific groups represent the broader indigenous opposition that Israel was commanded to dispossess. The verse also subtly employs **Irony**, as the "Lord of Bezek" is found and defeated by the very people he likely sought to dominate, foreshadowing his ultimate humiliation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 1:5 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and the initial, albeit temporary, obedience of His people in the post-Joshua era. It underscores the divine mandate for Israel to dispossess the land's wicked inhabitants, not merely as a territorial expansion, but as an act of holy war against pervasive idolatry and moral corruption. The victory over Adonibezek and his forces demonstrates that when Israel acted in accordance with God's will, even against formidable foes, divine empowerment led to decisive success. This early triumph stands in stark contrast to the later failures detailed in the book, where incomplete obedience led to ongoing struggles and cycles of apostasy, highlighting the critical importance of full and sustained faithfulness to God's commands.

* [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Not Because of Your Righteousness")
* [Joshua 11:23](/joshua/11-23 "Joshua 11:23 - Joshua Takes the Whole Land")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalm/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 1:5, while recounting a historical military victory, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that the Christian life is not passive but involves active engagement in spiritual warfare. Just as Judah had to "find" Adonibezek and "fight" against him, we are called to proactively identify and resist the spiritual forces of evil and the temptations of sin in our lives. The victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites, representing entrenched systems of wickedness, encourages us to trust in God's power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This verse teaches us the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when the task seems daunting, and highlights that our successes are ultimately a result of God's empowering presence. It also foreshadows the principle of divine justice, where those who sow wickedness will reap its consequences, urging us to live righteously and trust in God's ultimate vindication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Adonibezeks" (entrenched sins or spiritual strongholds) might I need to "find" and "fight" against in my own life, trusting in God's power for victory?**
* **How does the initial obedience of Judah and Simeon in Judges 1:5 contrast with later failures in the book, and what does this teach me about sustained faithfulness?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in God's ongoing work of bringing justice and truth into the world, rather than remaining passive?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "Adonibezek" being found in "Bezek"?**

Answer: The name "Adonibezek" means "Lord of Bezek," indicating he was the king or ruler of that specific city-state. His being "found in Bezek" signifies that the Israelite forces, specifically Judah and Simeon, successfully located him in his stronghold or primary operational base. This was a strategic success, allowing them to engage directly with the head of the enemy forces. It highlights the proactive and decisive nature of Judah's campaign in the early stages of the conquest, aiming to dismantle the leadership of the Canaanite resistance rather than just scattering their general forces. This immediate confrontation with the king sets the stage for his subsequent capture and the detailed account of his punishment in [Judges 1:6-7](/judges/1-6 "Judges 1:6-7 - Adonibezek's Capture and Punishment"), which serves as a powerful illustration of divine retribution.

**Why are "Canaanites and Perizzites" specifically mentioned?**

Answer: The mention of "Canaanites and Perizzites" is significant because these were two of the prominent indigenous ethnic groups inhabiting the land of Canaan whom God had commanded Israel to dispossess (e.g., [Exodus 23:23](/exodus/23-23 "Exodus 23:23 - God Will Drive Out the Inhabitants")). Their specific inclusion indicates that Adonibezek's forces were composed of these groups, representing the broader idolatrous and morally corrupt cultures that Israel was to remove from the land. Their defeat in this battle highlights the initial success of Judah in fulfilling the divine mandate to cleanse the land of its wicked inhabitants, preventing their corrupting influence from spreading among the Israelites. It underscores that the victory was not just against a king but against the very peoples whose presence threatened Israel's covenant fidelity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 1:5, while a historical account of military conquest, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Judah sought out and decisively defeated Adonibezek and his forces, Jesus, the true and ultimate King, came into the world to confront and conquer the spiritual enemies of humanity. He found the "strong man" (Satan) in his domain and, through His life, death, and resurrection, "fought against him" and "slew" the spiritual forces of darkness, sin, and death. The victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites, representing the powers of wickedness that held the land captive, foreshadows Christ's triumph over the "principalities and powers" that once enslaved humanity ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus disarmed these spiritual enemies, leading them captive in His triumphal procession ([Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8 - Christ Leads Captives")). His decisive victory grants believers freedom from the dominion of sin and death, establishing a new spiritual kingdom and an eternal inheritance that far surpasses the earthly Promised Land. The initial, though incomplete, conquest by Judah points to the complete and eternal victory secured by the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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.