Judges 1:1

Authorized King James Version

Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽיְהִ֗י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אַֽחֲרֵי֙

H310

Now after

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

מ֣וֹת

H4194

the death

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ

H3091

of Joshua

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙

H7592

asked

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

it came to pass that the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֵאמֹ֑ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

#10

מִ֣י

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

#11

יַֽעֲלֶה

H5927

Who shall go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#12

לָּ֧נוּ

#13

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#14

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י

H3669

for us against the Canaanites

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

#15

בַּתְּחִלָּ֖ה

H8462

first

a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)

#16

לְהִלָּ֥חֶם

H3898

to fight

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

#17

בּֽוֹ׃

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout Judges.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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