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.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Bezek's location is disputed. One tradition places it near Shechem in central Canaan (modern Khirbet Ibziq), while another identifies it with a site in Judah's territory near Gezer. The Shechem location seems more likely given that Adoni-bezek was brought to Jerusalem (v. 7), suggesting a northern campaign before moving south. Archaeological evidence from Late Bronze Age sites in the central hill country shows destruction layers consistent with conquest-period conflicts, though connecting specific destructions to biblical accounts remains challenging.
The battle at Bezek demonstrates the pattern of Israelite warfare: engagement of Canaanite forces in open battle followed by pursuit and capture of their leaders. This differs from the siege warfare (like Jericho or Ai) but appears frequently in the conquest narratives (Joshua 10:10-27, 11:7-8). The Canaanite military relied on chariot forces effective on plains but vulnerable in hill country (Judges 1:19, 4:3), giving Israel tactical advantage in mountainous terrain.
The Perizzites' presence alongside Canaanites reflects the ethnic complexity of pre-Israelite Canaan. Extra-biblical sources (Egyptian, Hittite, and Ugaritic texts) confirm multiple ethnic groups occupied Canaan during this period. The Amarna letters (14th century BCE) describe conflicts among Canaanite city-states and references to 'Apiru (possibly related to "Hebrew"), showing the region's political fragmentation that facilitated Israel's gradual conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the emphasis on 'the LORD delivered' guard against trusting in human strategies, resources, or abilities in spiritual warfare?
- What does God's faithfulness to His promise in verse 2 teach about the relationship between divine sovereignty and human obedience?
- In what ways does Christ's victory over spiritual enemies provide assurance that God will complete His work in sanctifying believers?
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
This verse confirms God's promise in verse 2—Judah obeyed, and "the LORD delivered" (Yahweh vayyiten, יְהוָה וַיִּתֵּן). The verb natan (נָתַן, "delivered/gave") emphasizes God's active agency in Israel's military victories. Unlike pagan conquest accounts that credit military prowess or divine conflict among the pantheon, Scripture consistently attributes Israel's victories to Yahweh's sovereign intervention. This theological framework permeates the conquest and judges narratives—success depends on covenant faithfulness, not military might (Deuteronomy 20:1-4, Joshua 1:5-9).
The Perizzites appear frequently alongside Canaanites in conquest lists (Genesis 15:20, Exodus 3:8, Joshua 3:10). Their precise ethnic identity remains uncertain—the name possibly derives from perazah (פְּרָזָה, "unwalled village"), suggesting they were rural or village-dwelling peoples distinct from urbanized Canaanites. Their inclusion here indicates Judah faced both city-states and dispersed settlements requiring different tactical approaches.
The number "ten thousand" (aseret alafim, עֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים) may be literal or may use elef (אֶלֶף) in its alternate meaning of "military unit" (roughly 5-14 warriors), suggesting 10 military contingents rather than precisely 10,000 individuals. Either way, the scale indicates substantial defeat of Canaanite forces. Reformed theology sees such victories as types of Christ's conquest over sin, death, and Satan (Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15), accomplished not by human strength but by God's power working through perfect obedience.