Judges 1:23,Judges 1:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 1:21-36

We are here told upon what terms the rest of the tribes stood with the Canaanites that remained. I. Benjamin neglected to drive the Jebusites out of that part of the city of Jerusalem which fell to their lot, Jdg. 1:21. Judah had set them a good example, and gained them great advantages by what they did (Jdg. 1:9), but they did not follow the blow for want of resolution. II. The house of Joseph, 1. Bestirred themselves a little to get possession of Beth-el, Jdg. 1:22. That city is mentioned in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 1:23

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel ,.... To reconnoitre the place, to observe its passes and avenues, which were most accessible, and to examine the walls of it, where they were weakest and least defended: now the name of the city before was Luz ; which signifies a "nut"; perhaps it was so called from large numbers of nut trees which grew near it; the Jews suggest as if it was like a nut, no entrance into it but through a cave or some subterraneous passage, see Genesis... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:23

Beth-el - the name of the city before was Luz - Concerning this city and its names, see the notes on Genesis 28:19 . read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 1:22-25

Judges 1:22-25. The house of Joseph That is, the tribe of Ephraim. Show us the entrance into the city That is, where it may be most easily entered. For they did not inquire the way to the gate, which, no doubt, was common and plain enough; but for the weakest part, where the walls were lowest, or most out of repair, or had the least guard. Or they desired him, perhaps, to show them some private way to get into it, which none knew but the inhabitants. He showed them the entrance Upon... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 1:1-36

1:1-2:10 SUMMARY OF JOSHUA’S CONQUESTIsrael’s incomplete conquest (1:1-36)The writer of the book is concerned with events ‘after the death of Joshua’ (see 1:1), but before describing these events he gives a background to them by outlining Israel’s conquest of Canaan under Joshua. First, he summarizes the attack led by Judah and Simeon in the southern part of the central highlands (1:1-7; see notes on Joshua 10:1-43).Jerusalem was among the highland towns that Joshua captured. Later, however, it... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 1:23

Luz. Compare Genesis 28:19 , and see Joshua 16:1 , Joshua 16:2 . Luz and Beth-el not two cities. 34 spies = sentries. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:22-26

The writer described Ephraim and Manasseh together as "the house of Joseph" (Judges 1:22-29). First, he narrated Ephraim’s activity (Judges 1:22-26). The Ephraimites’ treatment of the man of Bethel who gave them information violated God’s orders. They should have put him to death along with the rest of the Bethelites whom they did kill. This incomplete obedience is what the writer again emphasized in this passage that alludes to Bethel’s illustrious history (Genesis 28:18-22; Genesis 35:1-15;... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 1:22-36

The activities of the other tribes 1:22-36 read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 1:1-36

The Conquests of Judah, Simeon, and other Tribes1-8. Conquests of Judah and Simeon.1. After the death of Joshua] This joins the beginning of Judges to the end of Joshua; but in what follows the author refers to events which must have preceded the partition of Joshua 13 f., and the campaigns of Joshua 10, 11. Asked the lord] Consulted the oracle of the Lord’: cp. Judges 18:5; Judges 20:18. See also Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21. 2. The land] the S. part of Palestine. 3. Simeon] The towns of Simeon... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 1:23

(23) To descry Beth-el.—The word perhaps implies a regular siege, and it is so understood by the LXX. (Cod. Alex.) and the Vulgate.Luz.—We are also told that this was the original name of the city in Genesis 28:19; but there seems to be in that verse a distinction between the city and the place of Jacob’s dream. (Comp. Joshua 16:2.) The name means either “hazel,” or “sinking,” i.e., a valley depression. read more