Judges 1:10 - Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron. (The name of Hebron before that was Kiriath Arba.) They struck Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

Generated Verse: Judges 1:10

What does "Judges 1:10" mean?


This verse from Judges 1:10 describes a specific military action undertaken by the tribe of Judah in the early period of Israel's settlement of Canaan, after the death of Joshua. Let's break it down:

"Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron." This states that the tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, launched a military campaign against the Canaanites who were residing in the city of Hebron. The Canaanites were the indigenous people of the land that the Israelites were trying to conquer and settle.

"(The name of Hebron before that was Kiriath Arba.)" This is a parenthetical statement providing historical context. It informs the reader that Hebron was previously known as Kiriath Arba. Kiriath Arba literally means "city of Arba," possibly referring to a prominent figure or ancestor of the inhabitants. This type of note is common in the Old Testament to connect the present narrative with past history.

"They struck Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai." This indicates that Judah defeated or killed these three individuals. Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai are most likely Canaanite leaders or powerful figures within Hebron. The term "struck" is often used in the Old Testament to mean "defeated in battle" or "killed." These individuals were most likely key defenders of the city.

In essence, the verse describes a victory by the tribe of Judah over the Canaanite inhabitants of Hebron, resulting in the defeat or killing of three Canaanite leaders. The verse also highlights the earlier name of the city.

Significance:

Conquest and Settlement: This verse is part of a larger narrative describing the initial stages of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It illustrates the process by which the Israelites gradually took control of different regions within the land.
Tribal Allocation: The book of Judges describes each tribe's assigned territory and their individual efforts to secure it. This verse reveals Judah's active role in claiming and securing their designated land.
Canaanite Resistance: The verse also highlights the resistance faced by the Israelites from the Canaanites who were already living in the land. The Canaanites were not easily displaced, and the conquest was a gradual and often violent process.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of the Israelites' settlement of Canaan, emphasizing the struggles and conflicts involved in establishing their presence in the land.