Keraia
Judges 1

Judges 1:21

The Capture of Jerusalem and Hebron · Judges 1:8–26
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Translations

Modern
The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.
Traditional
And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
Literal
And the Jebusite who inhabited Jerusalem, the sons of Benjamin did not dispossess. And the Jebusite has dwelt with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
Latin
Jebusæum autem habitatorem Jerusalem non deleverunt filii Benjamin: habitavitque Jebusæus cum filiis Benjamin in Jerusalem, usque in præsentem diem.

Original

Hebrew
English
The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.

Notes

Judges 1:21

  • The tribe of Benjamin produced many heroes, like Ehud and Saul, but it also showed great unfaithfulness to the covenant, unlike Judah (see Judges 20:18). Like Judah in its first battle (Judges 1:4–8), Benjamin faced strong people in a large city but chose to share the city with them. There is no mention of the Lord's presence (compare Judges 1:19, 22). The Jebusite city stayed under Canaanite control until David's time.

  • The phrase "to this day" highlights either ongoing historical situations (here and Judges 6:24) or the continuation of certain customs to a later time (1:26; 10:4; 15:19; 18:12).

Judges 1:21–36

The tribes of Israel did not keep the covenant. Their complacency was rebellion against the Lord, as shown in the rest of the book of Judges.

Judges 1:1–2:5

The first prologue talks about how the tribes did not follow Joshua's farewell instructions (Joshua 23).

Theme notes and profiles

Jerusalem Oppression of God’s People

Parallels

Joshua 15:13–19

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Jebusites: Canaanite tribe inhabiting Jerusalem before David's conquest

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Benjamin, Tribe of Jebus, Jebusite Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Land Tribe of Dan

Topics

Canaanites: Not Expelled Jerusalem: The Inhabitants of, not Expelled Jerusalem: The Jebusites: Held Possession of, with Judah and Benjamin The Canaanites: Partially Subdued by Israel Tribe of Benjamin: Census of did not exterminate the Jebusites Tribe of Judah: Commissioned by God to Lead in the Conquest of the Promised Land