Judges 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֣עַל

H5927

went up

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

And Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיִּתֵּ֧ן

H5414

delivered

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֛ה

H3068

and the LORD

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

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֥י

H3669

the Canaanites

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

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֖י

H6522

and the Perizzites

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

בְּיָדָ֑ם

H3027

into their hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיַּכּ֣וּם

H5221

and they slew

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

#10

בְּבֶ֔זֶק

H966

of them in Bezek

bezek, a place in palestine

#11

עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת

H6235

ten

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

#12

אֲלָפִ֖ים

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#13

אִֽישׁ׃

H376

men

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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