1
וַיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵי֙ מ֣וֹת יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּיהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה לָּ֧נוּ אֶל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י בַּתְּחִלָּ֖ה לְהִלָּ֥חֶם בּֽוֹ
After the death of Joshua, the sons of Israel asked of YHWH, saying, "Who shall go up for us against the Canaanite first, to fight against him?"
Opens the book with the formulaic וַיְהִי, dating the action after Joshua's death and echoing Joshua 1:1's own opening. Israel's inquiry שָׁאַל בַּיהוָה, with no named leader as subject, signals a structural leadership vacuum that the rest of the chapter — and book — will keep probing.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — opens the book in medias resהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the formulaic וַיְהִי opening narrative books/units, here linking Judges to the end of Joshua.
אַחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; temporal here, dating the whole book after Joshua's death (cf. Josh 1:1's אַחֲרֵי מוֹת מֹשֶׁה).
מ֣וֹתthe death ofN m sg constr · מָוֶת (H4194)Construct chain (genitival, temporal phrase)מָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; construct governing יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, forming the temporal hinge phrase that opens the book.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Genitive (construct chain with מוֹת)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses' successor, whose death frames the transition into the judges period.
וַֽיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙and they askedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Israel's first act after Joshua's deathשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; with בְּ + the divine name forms the oracle-inquiry idiom שָׁאַל בַּיהוָה, seeking a verdict, likely through the priestly Urim — Israel must ask, having no appointed leader.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject phrase)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural, 'sons of Israel' = the collective nation as grammatical subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain); whole phrase is Subjectיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, acting collectively and leaderlessly — no judge or king yet named.
בַּיהוָ֖הof YHWHprep בְּ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of inquiry (idiom שָׁאַל בְּ)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; בְּ with שָׁאַל marks the object of oracular inquiry — consulting through a recognized means, not idle asking.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: introduces the quoted inquiryאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard quotative infinitive לֵאמֹר opening the reported words of the inquiry.
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pronoun · מִי (H4310)Subject (interrogative, fronted)מִי (H4310) 'who?'; interrogative opening the oracle-question, seeking the tribe designated to lead.
יַעֲלֶהshall go upQal impf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause of quoted question)→ Yiqtol: deliberative/future — asking who is designated to actעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the standard verb for military advance into hostile hill terrain, here deliberative.
לָּ֧נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suffixDative of advantagePreposition לְ with 1cp suffix; marks Israel as beneficiary of the campaign.
אֶלagainstprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (hostile direction)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; here with hostile force, 'against' the Canaanite.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of preposition (collective singular)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; singular with article used collectively for the indigenous population.
בַּתְּחִלָּ֖הfirstprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · תְּחִלָּה (H8462)Adverbial prepositional phraseתְּחִלָּה (H8462) 'beginning, first'; 'at the first' — the tribe to lead the initial campaign.
לְהִלָּ֥חֶםto fightprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · לָחַם (H3898)Purpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the aim of going upלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal (reciprocal) 'to do battle'; purpose infinitive with לְ.
בּֽוֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms suffixObject of preposition (referring to the Canaanite)Preposition בְּ with 3ms suffix, referring back to הַכְּנַעֲנִי.
2
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֣ה יַעֲלֶ֑ה הִנֵּ֛ה נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ בְּיָדֽוֹ
And YHWH said, "Judah shall go up; look, I have given the land into his hand."
YHWH's oracular answer names Judah and echoes v.1's יַעֲלֶה back as command. The perfect נָתַתִּי ('I have given') speaks the land as already granted, setting a standard of certainty against which the chapter's repeated failures to dispossess will be measured.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the oracle's responseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's direct oracular reply to the inquiry of v.1.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the direct respondent to Israel's oracular inquiry — the oracle mechanism itself is left unstated.
יְהוּדָ֣הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subject (fronted, emphatic)יְהוּדָה (H3063); the tribe named to answer the מִי of v.1 — fronted for emphasis as the divinely appointed first mover.
יַעֲלֶ֑הshall go upQal impf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (of quoted oracle)→ Yiqtol: directive/future — the divine appointmentעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; here a divine directive answering the deliberative יַעֲלֶה of v.1 with the same verb.
הִנֵּ֛הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Discourse particle introducing the ground/basis for the directiveהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; introduces the assurance grounding the directive — the land is already, in effect, given.
נָתַ֥תִּיI have givenQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (perfect of certainty, following הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a decisive act treated as already accomplished — the perfect of prophetic/legal certaintyנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the perfect here is proleptic/performative — YHWH speaks the gift as settled fact before the campaign begins.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the land allotted to Judah, the concrete object of the divine gift.
בְּיָדֽוֹinto his handprep בְּ + N c sg constr/3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means/possession)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'into his hand' is the standard idiom for conquest and control being granted.
3
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָה֩ לְשִׁמְע֨וֹן אָחִ֜יו עֲלֵ֧ה אִתִּ֣י בְגוֹרָלִ֗י וְנִֽלָּחֲמָה֙ בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וְהָלַכְתִּ֧י גַם אֲנִ֛י אִתְּךָ֖ בְּגוֹרָלֶ֑ךָ וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אִתּ֖וֹ שִׁמְעֽוֹן
And Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me into my lot, and let us fight against the Canaanite, and I likewise will go with you into your lot." So Simeon went with him.
Judah immediately subcontracts the campaign, forming the book's first tribal alliance. The reciprocal גַּם אֲנִי אִתְּךָ pledge is generous, but it also quietly establishes the pattern of tribes acting locally and separately rather than as a unified Israel — the seed of the fragmentation the chapter will trace.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Judah's proposal to Simeon — the first tribal alliance of the book.
יְהוּדָה֩Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); acting on the divine appointment of v.2 by immediately recruiting an ally.
לְשִׁמְע֨וֹןto Simeonprep לְ + proper noun · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Indirect object (addressee)שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095); the tribe whose territory was absorbed within Judah's allotment (cf. Josh 19:1, 9), hence the natural ally.
אָחִ֜יוhis brotherN m sg constr/3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Apposition (identifying Simeon's relation to Judah)אָח (H251) 'brother'; here both literal kinship (sons of Leah) and covenantal solidarity between the tribes.
עֲלֵ֧הcome upQal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (imperative, direct speech)→ Volitional: imperative invitationעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the same verb chain (v.1 question, v.2 command, v.3 invitation) binding the whole opening scene.
אִתִּ֣יwith meprep אֵת/אִתִּי + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; comitative preposition marking joint action, the basis of the tribal pact.
בְגוֹרָלִ֗יinto my lotprep בְּ + N m sg constr/1cs suffix · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Adverbial prepositional phrase (allotted territory)גּוֹרָל (H1486) 'lot'; the territory assigned by sacred lot in Joshua's allotment — Judah invites Simeon to help secure his own allotted portion first.
וְנִֽלָּחֲמָה֙and let us fightWaw + Niphal cohortative 1cp · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (cohortative of purpose/result)→ Volitional: cohortative — proposed joint actionלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal cohortative expressing Judah's proposed mutual military purpose.
בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔יagainst the Canaaniteprep בְּ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of prepositionכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, the common enemy uniting Judah and Simeon.
וְהָלַכְתִּ֧יand I will goWaw + Qal weqatal 1cs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the pledge)→ Weqatal: consequential/promissory — Judah's reciprocal pledgeהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; weqatal continues the volitional sequence as a binding promise of reciprocity.
גַםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial particle (emphatic, reciprocity marker)גַּם (H1571) 'also, likewise'; marks Judah's pledge as matching reciprocity for Simeon's aid.
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (emphatic, resumptive with verb)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic independent pronoun reinforcing גַּם for stress on mutuality.
אִתְּךָ֖with youprep אֵת + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; mirrors אִתִּי in the first half of the pact, sealing the reciprocal arrangement.
בְּגוֹרָלֶ֑ךָinto your lotprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2ms suffix · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Adverbial prepositional phrase (allotted territory)גּוֹרָל (H1486) 'lot'; Judah's reciprocal promise to help Simeon secure his own allotment — the absorbed-tribe alliance made explicit.
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְand wentWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative resolution)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pact is enactedהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go' (הלך form used as ילך); narrates Simeon's compliance, closing the negotiation.
אִתּ֖וֹwith himprep אֵת + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; Simeon's action fulfills exactly the terms proposed by Judah.
שִׁמְעֽוֹןSimeonproper noun · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Subjectשִׁמְעוֹן (H8095); the smaller tribe absorbed into Judah's territory (cf. Josh 19:1, 9), acting here as ally, not equal partner in land.
4
וַיַּ֣עַל יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אֶת הַכְּנַעֲנִ֥י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֖י בְּיָדָ֑ם וַיַּכּ֣וּם בְּבֶ֔זֶק עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִֽישׁ
And Judah went up, and YHWH gave the Canaanite and the Perizzite into their hand, and they struck them at Bezek, ten thousand men.
The oracle of v.2 is enacted almost mechanically: Judah goes up, YHWH gives, they strike. The huge round number underscores decisive, unambiguous victory — the narrative deliberately front-loads triumph before the complications of vv.19-36 set in.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּ֣עַלand went upWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the campaign beginsעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the third occurrence of this root in as many verses, now finally enacted as narrative fact.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); acting now with Simeon per the pact of v.3, though Simeon's presence is not restated here.
וַיִּתֵּ֧ןand gaveWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the promise of v.2 (נָתַתִּי) fulfilled in narrative timeנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the fulfillment of YHWH's proleptic perfect in v.2, now enacted.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the true agent behind the victory — Judah goes up, but YHWH gives.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַכְּנַעֲנִי as the definite object of the giving.
הַכְּנַעֲנִ֥יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct object (first of pair)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular for the indigenous lowland population.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֖יand the Perizziteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Direct object (second of pair)פְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite'; one of the standard nations-list peoples, often paired with the Canaanite as generic inhabitants of the hill country and lowland.
בְּיָדָ֑םinto their handprep בְּ + N c sg constr/3mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means/control)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the standard idiom of military victory granted by YHWH.
וַיַּכּ֣וּםand they struck themWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp/3mp suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive military blowנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil, the standard verb for defeating an enemy in battle throughout Joshua-Judges.
בְּבֶ֔זֶקat Bezekprep בְּ + proper noun · בֶּזֶק (H966)Locative prepositional phraseבֶּזֶק (H966) 'Bezek'; a site (likely near Gezer/the Shephelah border) that will also give Adoni-bezek his name in vv.5-7.
עֲשֶׂ֥רֶתten (of)cardinal number m sg constr · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Construct chain (numeral)עֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; construct governing אֲלָפִים, 'ten thousand' — a large, likely rhetorical/hyperbolic casualty figure signaling decisive victory.
אֲלָפִ֖יםthousandcardinal number c pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral (governed by עֲשֶׂרֶת)אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand' (or possibly military 'contingent/clan'); combined with עֲשֶׂרֶת for 'ten thousand'.
אִֽישׁmenN m sg abs (collective) · אִישׁ (H376)Adverbial accusative (specification, distributive singular)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive singular after a large number, standard Hebrew idiom for '(ten thousand) men'.
5
וַֽ֠יִּמְצְאוּ אֶת אֲדֹנִ֥י בֶ֨זֶק֙ בְּבֶ֔זֶק וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ בּ֑וֹ וַיַּכּ֕וּ אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י וְאֶת הַפְּרִזִּֽי
And they found Adoni-bezek at Bezek, and fought against him, and struck the Canaanite and the Perizzite.
Narrows the mass victory of v.4 to a single named antagonist, Adoni-bezek, whose personal fate (vv.6-7) will supply the chapter's sharpest instance of measure-for-measure justice.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַֽ֠יִּמְצְאוּand they foundWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; narrates the encounter with the enemy king by name, singling him out from the mass casualties of v.4.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the personal name Adoni-bezek as the definite object found.
אֲדֹנִ֥יAdoni-proper noun (first element) · אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137)Direct object (first element of compound name)אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137) 'lord of Bezek'; the compound royal name/title split across two words — this Canaanite king becomes the chapter's most memorable figure.
בֶ֨זֶק֙-bezekproper noun (second element) · אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137)Direct object (second element of compound name)בֶזֶק (H137, within the compound); ties the king's very name to the place-name Bezek, so his identity and his defeat-site coincide.
בְּבֶ֔זֶקat Bezekprep בְּ + proper noun · בֶּזֶק (H966)Locative prepositional phraseבֶּזֶק (H966); the place-name repeated from v.4, now specified as the locale of the king's capture.
וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּand they foughtWaw-consec + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal, engagement specifically against Adoni-bezek himself.
בּ֑וֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms suffixObject of prepositionPreposition בְּ with 3ms suffix, referring to Adoni-bezek.
וַיַּכּ֕וּand they struckWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, defeat'; the recurrent victory verb of this chapter, here widening back out from the king to the peoples.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַכְּנַעֲנִי as the definite object struck.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct object (first of pair)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, repeating the pairing with Perizzite from v.4.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks הַפְּרִזִּי as the definite second object struck.
הַפְּרִזִּֽיthe Perizziteart + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Direct object (second of pair)פְּרִזִּי (H6522); paired again with Canaanite, framing this as continuous with v.4's victory.
6
וַיָּ֨נָס֙ אֲדֹ֣נִי בֶ֔זֶק וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ אַחֲרָ֑יו וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ וַֽיְקַצְּצ֔וּ אֶת בְּהֹנ֥וֹת יָדָ֖יו וְרַגְלָֽיו
But Adoni-bezek fled, and they pursued after him, and seized him, and cut off his thumbs and his big toes.
The king's attempted escape fails; the mutilation described here is explained retrospectively as measure-for-measure in v.7, so the narrative withholds its full moral logic until the victim states it himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיָּ֨נָס֙and fledWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the king's flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; Adoni-bezek's flight begins the sequence that ends in his mutilation and confession.
אֲדֹ֣נִיAdoni-proper noun (first element) · אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137)Subject (first element of compound name)אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137) 'lord of Bezek'; the king, now the fleeing subject.
בֶ֔זֶק-bezekproper noun (second element) · אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137)Subject (second element of compound name)בֶזֶק (H137, within the compound); the second half of the king's name/title.
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּand they pursuedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; Judah does not let the fleeing king escape.
אַחֲרָ֑יוafter himprep אַחַר + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after'; here spatial, marking the direction of pursuit.
וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּand they seizedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָחַז (H270)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָחַז (H270) 'to seize, grasp'; the capture completing the pursuit.
אֹת֔וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, pronominal)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi with pronominal suffix, referring to Adoni-bezek as the one seized.
וַֽיְקַצְּצ֔וּand they cut offWaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · קָצַץ (H7112)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the mutilation itselfקָצַץ (H7112) 'to cut off'; Piel, an intensive/violent act of maiming that disables a warrior/king permanently, matching his own past practice (v.7).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בְּהֹנוֹת as the definite object cut off.
בְּהֹנ֥וֹתthe thumbs/big toes ofN f pl constr · בֹּהֶן (H931)Construct chain (direct object)בֹּהֶן (H931) 'thumb, big toe'; the specific mutilation renders the man useless for both weapon-grip and battle-stance — a punishment fitted to warfare itself.
יָדָ֖יוhis handsN c dual constr/3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Genitive (construct chain, specifying whose thumbs)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual form, paired with רַגְלָיו to specify both hands and feet.
וְרַגְלָֽיוand his feetconj וְ + N f dual constr/3ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Genitive (construct chain, second pair)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; dual, completing the pair — thumbs and big toes together, standard ancient practice for permanently disabling a captured warrior-king.
7
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲדֹֽנִי בֶ֗זֶק שִׁבְעִ֣ים מְלָכִ֡ים בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩ יְדֵיהֶ֨ם וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֜ם מְקֻצָּצִ֗ים הָי֤וּ מְלַקְּטִים֙ תַּ֣חַת שֻׁלְחָנִ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֔יתִי כֵּ֥ן שִׁלַּם לִ֖י אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיְבִיאֻ֥הוּ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וַיָּ֥מָת שָֽׁם
And Adoni-bezek said, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me." And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Adoni-bezek's confession is the chapter's clearest statement of measure-for-measure justice, and it is striking that it comes from a pagan king's own mouth rather than a narrator's comment or prophet's oracle — the punishment fits, and he says so himself, before dying in the very city that Israel is about to strike.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the pagan king's own confession — the chapter's most reflective speech, given not to Israel but to its enemy.
אֲדֹֽנִיAdoni-proper noun (first element) · אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137)Subject (first element of compound name)אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137); the mutilated king now speaks, interpreting his own suffering theologically.
בֶ֗זֶק-bezekproper noun (second element) · אֲדֹנִי בֶזֶק (H137)Subject (second element of compound name)בֶזֶק (H137, within the compound); second half of the king's name/title.
שִׁבְעִ֣יםseventycardinal number c pl abs · שִׁבְעִים (H7657)Subject (numeral, of the following clause)שִׁבְעִים (H7657) 'seventy'; a round, symbolically full number of subjugated rival kings, testifying to Adoni-bezek's own former conquests.
מְלָכִ֡יםkingsN m pl abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subjectמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; the grammatical subject of the whole confession — kings Adoni-bezek himself once conquered and maimed.
בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩the thumbs/big toes ofN f pl constr · בֹּהֶן (H931)Construct chain (specifying the kings' condition)בֹּהֶן (H931) 'thumb, big toe'; repeats v.6's mutilation vocabulary exactly, now as the king's own retrospective diagnosis.
יְדֵיהֶ֨םtheir handsN c dual constr/3mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Genitive (construct chain)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the seventy kings' hands, paired with feet in the summary of their mutilation.
וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֜םand their feetconj וְ + N f dual constr/3mp suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Genitive (construct chain)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; completes the pair, matching v.6's description of his own mutilation.
מְקֻצָּצִ֗יםcut offPual ptc pass m pl abs · קָצַץ (H7112)Predicate adjective/participle (with הָיוּ, forming a periphrastic past-habitual)→ Passive participle: describes a resulting, ongoing state — the kings' permanent conditionקָצַץ (H7112) 'to cut off'; Pual passive participle, the same root as v.6's Piel act — Adoni-bezek names precisely what was done to him as what he had done to others.
הָי֤וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Auxiliary verb (periphrastic construction with participles)→ Perfective: describes a settled, habitual past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; forms a periphrastic past-habitual with the participles מְקֻצָּצִים and מְלַקְּטִים, 'used to be ... gathering'.
מְלַקְּטִים֙gathering scrapsPiel ptc act m pl abs · לָקַט (H3950)Predicate participle (periphrastic with הָיוּ)→ Participle: durative, habitual action — the kings' degrading daily routineלָקַט (H3950) 'to glean, gather'; Piel intensive, of gathering food-scraps like animals — the ultimate humiliation of once-royal figures, now Adoni-bezek's own fate.
תַּ֣חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; positions the humiliated kings literally beneath the conqueror's table.
שֻׁלְחָנִ֔יmy tableN m sg constr/1cs suffix · שֻׁלְחָן (H7979)Object of prepositionשֻׁלְחָן (H7979) 'table'; the king's own table, the site of his cruelty now recalled in his own mouth.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רjust asprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction (correlative with כֵּן)כַּאֲשֶׁר (כְּ + H834) 'just as'; opens the correlative כַּאֲשֶׁר...כֵּן construction that states the measure-for-measure principle explicitly.
עָשִׂ֔יתִיI didQal perf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (subordinate clause introduced by כַּאֲשֶׁר)→ Perfective: completed past action — Adoni-bezek's own former deedsעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the king names his own agency plainly, admitting rather than denying his cruelty.
כֵּ֥ןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Correlative adverb (resumptive, with כַּאֲשֶׁר)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; completes the כַּאֲשֶׁר...כֵּן correlation — 'as I have done, so...' — the clearest statement of lex talionis logic in the chapter.
שִׁלַּםhe has repaidPiel perf 3ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis of כַּאֲשֶׁר...כֵּן)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of retributionשָׁלַם (H7999) 'to be complete, repay'; Piel 'to requite, recompense' — a pagan king's own mouth names God's justice, an ironic theological climax to the episode.
לִ֖יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixIndirect objectPreposition לְ with 1cs suffix, marking Adoni-bezek as recipient of the repayment.
אֱלֹהִ֑יםGodN m pl (abs, sg sense) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430); notably not YHWH here — the foreign king uses the generic term for deity, yet the narrative lets his verdict stand as true theological commentary.
וַיְבִיאֻ֥הוּand they brought himWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp/3ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil 'to bring'; the captors escort the mutilated, confessing king to Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖םJerusalemproper noun · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Adverbial accusative (goal of motion)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389); the city about to be struck and burned in v.8, though later shown still unconquered from the Jebusites in v.21.
וַיָּ֥מָתand he diedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — closes the episodeמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the king's confession is his last recorded word before death closes his story.
שָֽׁםthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; locates his death in Jerusalem, the very city where his measure-for-measure story is preserved.
8
וַיִּלָּחֲמ֤וּ בְנֵֽי יְהוּדָה֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ אוֹתָ֔הּ וַיַּכּ֖וּהָ לְפִי חָ֑רֶב וְאֶת הָעִ֖יר שִׁלְּח֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ
And the sons of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
Reports Jerusalem's fall in the total-conquest idiom of Joshua (sword and fire), but this claim stands in real tension with v.21, where the Jebusite is said still to dwell in Jerusalem with Benjamin 'to this day' — the chapter deliberately holds both notices without harmonizing them.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּלָּחֲמ֤וּand foughtWaw-consec + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָחַם (H3898)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; Niphal, opens the Jerusalem campaign — a victory later complicated by v.21's report of continued Jebusite presence.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject phrase)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Judah' as the acting subject, distinct from 'Judah' alone used elsewhere in the chapter.
יְהוּדָה֙Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive (construct chain); whole phrase is Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); the tribe, now specified as 'sons of Judah' undertaking the Jerusalem assault.
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םagainst Jerusalemprep בְּ + proper noun · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Object of preposition (hostile)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389); this early notice of its capture and burning stands in real tension with v.21, where Benjamin fails to dispossess the Jebusite dwelling there — a deliberate, unresolved textual and historical crux.
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּand capturedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָכַד (H3920) 'to capture, seize'; the standard conquest verb, recurring throughout the chapter's city-taking notices.
אוֹתָ֔הּ[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, pronominal, referring to the city)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring back to (feminine) יְרוּשָׁלִַם.
וַיַּכּ֖וּהָand struck itWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp/3fs suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; Hiphil, escalating from capture to violent subjugation of the city.
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatic 'mouth of the sword' = the sword's cutting edge, standard idiom for merciless slaughter.
חָ֑רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive (completing the idiom לְפִי־חֶרֶב)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the standard formula for total, merciless conquest.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fronted object)וְ links the clause; אֵת marks הָעִיר as the definite object of שִׁלְּחוּ, fronted before the verb for emphasis.
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object (fronted)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; refers back to Jerusalem, now set ablaze — a total destruction later shown not to have permanently displaced its Jebusite inhabitants (v.21).
שִׁלְּח֥וּthey setPiel perf 3cp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel idiom שִׁלַּח בָּאֵשׁ 'to set on fire', the standard formula for razing a captured city.
בָאֵֽשׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; completes the destruction formula, matching Joshua's razing of Jericho, Ai, and Hazor.
9
וְאַחַ֗ר יָֽרְדוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑י יוֹשֵׁ֣ב הָהָ֔ר וְהַנֶּ֖גֶב וְהַשְּׁפֵלָֽה
And afterward the sons of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanite dwelling in the hill country, and the Negev, and the lowland.
A summarizing heading that introduces the three-zone geography (hill country, Negev, Shephelah) under which the following Hebron/Debir/Caleb material will be organized.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאַחַ֗רand afterwardconj וְ + adverb · אַחַר (H310)Temporal adverbial (transition marker)אַחַר (H310) 'after, afterward'; marks a new phase of the campaign following Jerusalem's fall.
יָֽרְדוּ֙went downQal perf 3cp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, opening a summarizing reportיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; the geographic opposite of עָלָה, as Judah now moves toward the lowland/Negev campaigns.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject phrase)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Judah' as subject.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive (construct chain); whole phrase is Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); continuing the campaign that began at Bezek and Jerusalem, now moving into the wider territorial thirds.
לְהִלָּחֵ֖םto fightprep לְ + Niphal inf constr · לָחַם (H3898)Purpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purposeלָחַם (H3898) 'to fight'; purpose infinitive stating the aim of going down.
בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑יagainst the Canaaniteprep בְּ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of prepositionכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, now specified further by the following participle and the three-zone geography.
יוֹשֵׁ֣בdwellingQal ptc act m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle (modifying הַכְּנַעֲנִי)→ Participle: durative, describing ongoing occupationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the recurring participle throughout the chapter that marks a people's settled presence — precisely what Israel fails to remove in the failure catalogue.
הָהָ֔רthe hill countryart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Adverbial accusative (locative)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; first of the chapter's three-part geography, alongside Negev and Shephelah.
וְהַנֶּ֖גֶבand the Negevconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Adverbial accusative (locative, coordinate)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; the arid southern zone, second of the three-part geography.
וְהַשְּׁפֵלָֽהand the lowlandconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · שְׁפֵלָה (H8219)Adverbial accusative (locative, coordinate)שְׁפֵלָה (H8219) 'lowland, Shephelah'; the third zone, completing the standard tripartite description of Judah's territory (hill country, Negev, lowland).
10
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֗ה אֶל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן וְשֵׁם חֶבְר֥וֹן לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַ֣ת אַרְבַּ֑ע וַיַּכּ֛וּ אֶת שֵׁשַׁ֥י וְאֶת אֲחִימַ֖ן וְאֶת תַּלְמָֽי
And Judah went against the Canaanite dwelling in Hebron — now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba — and they struck Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai.
Opens the Hebron material that will shortly be retold nearly verbatim from Joshua 15:16-19 in vv.12-15. The parenthetical old-name note (Kiriath-arba) and the named Anakite giants root the victory in remembered, formidable opposition.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְand wentWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; opens the Hebron campaign, retold from Josh 15:13-19/Judg 1's own doublet.
יְהוּדָ֗הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); though the Hebron conquest will shortly be credited specifically to Caleb (v.20).
אֶלagainstprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (hostile direction)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; hostile force, 'against' the Canaanite of Hebron.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of prepositionכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); the population subsequently specified as three named Anakite figures.
הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣בdwellingart + Qal ptc act m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle (substantival, modifying הַכְּנַעֲנִי)→ Participle: durative, ongoing occupationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; substantival participle 'the one dwelling', identifying the Canaanite by location.
בְּחֶבְר֔וֹןin Hebronprep בְּ + proper noun · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Locative prepositional phraseחֶבְרוֹן (H2275); the major hill-country city, associated with the patriarchs' burial and now with Caleb's inheritance.
וְשֵׁםand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (parenthetical explanatory clause)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; introduces a parenthetical etymological note, a recurring device in the chapter (cf. Hormah v.17, Luz v.26).
חֶבְר֥וֹןHebronproper noun · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Genitive (construct chain)חֶבְרוֹן (H2275); the city whose earlier name follows.
לְפָנִ֖יםformerlyprep לְ + N c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic לְפָנִים 'formerly, in earlier times', introducing the older name.
קִרְיַ֣תKiriath-proper noun (first element) · קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (H7153)Predicate nominative (first element of compound name)קִרְיַת (within H7153) 'city of'; first half of the older name, 'city of Arba' — possibly the Anakite ancestor's name (cf. Josh 14:15).
אַרְבַּ֑ע-arbaproper noun (second element) · קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (H7153)Predicate nominative (second element of compound name)אַרְבַּע (within H7153); second half of Hebron's older name, 'Kiriath-arba', preserving pre-conquest memory.
וַיַּכּ֛וּand they struckWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming after the parenthesis)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; resumes the main narrative line after the parenthetical name-note.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שֵׁשַׁי as the first of three named objects struck.
שֵׁשַׁ֥יSheshaiproper noun · שֵׁשַׁי (H8344)Direct object (first of three)שֵׁשַׁי (H8344); one of the three Anakite sons/clans reported in Num 13:22 and Josh 15:14 as giants dwelling in Hebron.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ links; אֵת marks אֲחִימָן as the second definite object.
אֲחִימַ֖ןAhimanproper noun · אֲחִימַן (H289)Direct object (second of three)אֲחִימַן (H289); second of the three Anakite figures of Hebron.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)וְ links; אֵת marks תַּלְמָי as the third definite object.
תַּלְמָֽיTalmaiproper noun · תַּלְמַי (H8526)Direct object (third of three)תַּלְמַי (H8526); third of the three Anakite figures, completing the trio named identically in Num 13:22 and Josh 15:14.
11
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ מִשָּׁ֔ם אֶל יוֹשְׁבֵ֖י דְּבִ֑יר וְשֵׁם דְּבִ֥יר לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַת סֵֽפֶר
And he went from there against the inhabitants of Debir — now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher.
A brief transition into the Caleb/Othniel/Achsah episode (vv.12-15), which retells Joshua 15:16-19 almost verbatim — a deliberate doublet the reader is meant to recognize.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְand he wentWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; subject singular (likely Caleb or Judah), continuing the campaign southwest to Debir.
מִשָּׁ֔םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; מִשָּׁם 'from there', i.e. from Hebron, marking geographic continuity of the campaign.
אֶלagainstprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (hostile direction)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; hostile force, directed at Debir's inhabitants.
יוֹשְׁבֵ֖יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (object of preposition)→ Participle: durative — those settled thereיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; substantival plural construct, 'dwellers of Debir', the same recurring root marking settled population.
דְּבִ֑ירDebirproper noun · דְּבִיר (H1688)Genitive (construct chain)דְּבִיר (H1688); a hill-country town southwest of Hebron, site of the following Caleb/Othniel/Achsah episode.
וְשֵׁםand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (parenthetical explanatory clause)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; introduces the same kind of etymological parenthesis as v.10's Kiriath-arba note.
דְּבִ֥ירDebirproper noun · דְּבִיר (H1688)Genitive (construct chain)דְּבִיר (H1688); repeated to introduce its earlier name.
לְפָנִ֖יםformerlyprep לְ + N c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic לְפָנִים 'formerly', matching v.10's usage.
קִרְיַתKiriath-proper noun (first element) · קִרְיַת סֵפֶר (H7158)Predicate nominative (first element of compound name)קִרְיַת (within H7158) 'city of'; first half of Debir's older name.
סֵֽפֶר-sepherproper noun (second element) · קִרְיַת סֵפֶר (H7158)Predicate nominative (second element of compound name)סֵפֶר (within H7158) 'book, scroll'; second half, 'city of the book/scroll' — an evocative older name for the town about to be won by Othniel.
12
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר כָּלֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּ֥ה אֶת קִרְיַת סֵ֖פֶר וּלְכָדָ֑הּ וְנָתַ֥תִּי ל֛וֹ אֶת עַכְסָ֥ה בִתִּ֖י לְאִשָּֽׁה
And Caleb said, "Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife."
This verse begins a passage retold nearly verbatim from Joshua 15:16-19 — the doublet itself is notable, showing Judges consciously reprising conquest-era material at the seam between the books.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Caleb's challenge, retold verbatim from Josh 15:16.
כָּלֵ֔בCalebproper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Subjectכָּלֵב (H3612); the veteran conqueror from Joshua's generation, now old, whose personal inheritance narrative is retold here almost verbatim from Josh 15:16-19.
אֲשֶׁרwhoeverrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Subject (indefinite relative, 'whoever')אֲשֶׁר (H834); here indefinite-relative, 'whoever', opening Caleb's conditional challenge.
יַכֶּ֥הstrikesHiphil impf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (conditional relative clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional/future — whoever succeedsנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; Hiphil, the standard conquest verb, now offered as the condition for Caleb's reward.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking קִרְיַת סֵפֶר as the definite object to be struck.
קִרְיַתKiriath-proper noun (first element) · קִרְיַת סֵפֶר (H7158)Direct object (first element of compound name)קִרְיַת (within H7158) 'city of'; Debir's older name, repeated from v.11.
סֵ֖פֶר-sepherproper noun (second element) · קִרְיַת סֵפֶר (H7158)Direct object (second element of compound name)סֵפֶר (within H7158) 'book, scroll'; second half of the town's older name.
וּלְכָדָ֑הּand captures itWaw + Qal weqatal 3ms/3fs suffix · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the conditional clause)→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional sequence — successful captureלָכַד (H3920) 'to capture'; weqatal continues the condition begun with יַכֶּה, together specifying total conquest of the town.
וְנָתַ֥תִּיthen I will giveWaw + Qal weqatal 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis of the conditional pledge)→ Weqatal: consequential — the promised rewardנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; weqatal apodosis, Caleb's binding promise — his daughter as the prize for conquest, the bride-prize motif.
ל֛וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect objectPreposition לְ with 3ms suffix, marking the successful conqueror as recipient of the reward.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עַכְסָה as the definite object given.
עַכְסָ֥הAchsahproper noun · עַכְסָה (H5915)Direct objectעַכְסָה (H5915) 'anklet'; Caleb's daughter, whose own initiative in the following verses (vv.14-15) makes her far more than a passive prize.
בִתִּ֖יmy daughterN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Apposition (identifying Achsah)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; identifies Achsah's relation to Caleb.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Adverbial prepositional phrase (predicate of result)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; idiom נָתַן לְאִשָּׁה 'give in marriage', the standard formula for arranged marriage.
13
וַֽיִּלְכְּדָהּ֙ עָתְנִיאֵ֣ל בֶּן קְנַ֔ז אֲחִ֥י כָלֵ֖ב הַקָּטֹ֣ן מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וַיִּתֶּן ל֛וֹ אֶת עַכְסָ֥ה בִתּ֖וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה
And Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, captured it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
Introduces Othniel, later Israel's first judge (3:9-11), by name here for the first time — his heroic credential is established before the crisis cycle even begins.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַֽיִּלְכְּדָהּ֙and captured itWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms/3fs suffix · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the challenge is metלָכַד (H3920) 'to capture'; fulfills exactly Caleb's condition of v.12.
עָתְנִיאֵ֣לOthnielproper noun · עָתְנִיאֵל (H6274)Subjectעָתְנִיאֵל (H6274); wins Achsah here, and will become Israel's first named judge in 3:9-11 — this episode quietly introduces the book's coming hero.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (apposition, identifying Othniel)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Othniel's parentage.
קְנַ֔זKenazproper noun · קְנַז (H7073)Genitive (construct chain)קְנַז (H7073); Othniel's father — also the name of an Edomite clan (Gen 36:11), suggesting Kenizzite (non-Israelite by origin) roots absorbed into Judah, like Caleb's own line.
אֲחִ֥יbrother ofN m sg constr · אָח (H251)Apposition (identifying Othniel's relation to Caleb)אָח (H251) 'brother'; here likely a broader kinship term (perhaps nephew or clansman) given the generational gap implied, but the text states it plainly as brother.
כָלֵ֖בCalebproper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Genitive (construct chain)כָּלֵב (H3612); establishing Othniel as within Caleb's own clan — the marriage keeps the inheritance within the family.
הַקָּטֹ֣ןthe youngerart + adjective m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Predicate adjective (comparative, with מִמֶּנּוּ)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, young'; with מִן of comparison, 'younger than', specifying Othniel's junior standing relative to Caleb.
מִמֶּ֑נּוּthan heprep מִן + suffix (comparative) · מִן (H4480)Comparative complement (with הַקָּטֹן)מִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative use with קָטֹן, 'younger than he [Caleb]' — the source tags the suffix as plural, but sense and context require the singular referent Caleb.
וַיִּתֶּןand he gaveWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Caleb keeps his wordנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Caleb fulfills the pledge of v.12.
ל֛וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect objectPreposition לְ with 3ms suffix, referring to Othniel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עַכְסָה as the definite object given.
עַכְסָ֥הAchsahproper noun · עַכְסָה (H5915)Direct objectעַכְסָה (H5915) 'anklet'; Caleb's daughter, the promised bride, whose own agency emerges strongly in the next two verses.
בִתּ֖וֹhis daughterN f sg constr/3ms suffix · בַּת (H1323)Apposition (identifying Achsah)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; identifies Achsah as Caleb's own daughter.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Adverbial prepositional phrase (predicate of result)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; completes the marriage formula, matching v.12's pledge exactly.
14
וַיְהִ֣י בְּבוֹאָ֗הּ וַתְּסִיתֵ֨הוּ֙ לִשְׁא֤וֹל מֵֽאֵת אָבִ֨יהָ֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה וַתִּצְנַ֖ח מֵעַ֣ל הַחֲמ֑וֹר וַיֹּֽאמֶר לָ֥הּ כָּלֵ֖ב מַה לָּֽךְ
And it happened, when she came, that she incited him to ask her father for a field; and she dismounted from the donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"
Achsah, not Othniel, drives the action — she incites the request and stages a deliberate gesture (צָנַח) to secure her father's attention, setting up her own direct speech in v.15.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it happenedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing a temporal clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; formulaic וַיְהִי introducing the following temporal clause about Achsah's arrival.
בְּבוֹאָ֗הּwhen she cameprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/3fs suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'when/as she came'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the temporal infinitive marks the occasion of Achsah's approach to Othniel or her arrival at her father.
וַתְּסִיתֵ֨הוּ֙that she incited himWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3fs/3ms suffix · סוּת (H5496)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Achsah's own initiativeסוּת (H5496) 'to incite, persuade'; Hiphil, Achsah actively prompts Othniel — the marriage is not passive on her part.
לִשְׁא֤וֹלto askprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁאַל (H7592)Purpose infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: purposeשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask'; purpose infinitive, the same root as v.1's oracular inquiry, here in an ordinary request for land.
מֵֽאֵתfromprep מִן + prep אֵת · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (source of the request)אֵת (H854) 'with'; compounded with מִן, 'from with' = simply 'from', marking the father as the one asked.
אָבִ֨יהָ֙her fatherN m sg constr/3fs suffix · אָב (H1)Object of prepositionאָב (H1) 'father'; refers to Caleb.
הַשָּׂדֶ֔הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Direct object (of the implied request)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; the arable land Achsah seeks in addition to the dry Negev already given as dowry.
וַתִּצְנַ֖חand she dismountedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · צָנַח (H6795)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a deliberate, attention-getting gestureצָנַח (H6795) 'to dismount, alight (abruptly)'; a rare, vivid verb marking Achsah's decisive physical action to get her father's attention before speaking.
מֵעַ֣לfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; compounded with מִן, 'from upon' = 'off of', the donkey she was riding.
הַחֲמ֑וֹרthe donkeyart + N c sg abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Object of prepositionחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; Achsah's mount, standard for travel and a mark of social status.
וַיֹּֽאמֶרand saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Caleb responds to his daughter's dramatic gesture.
לָ֥הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffixIndirect object (addressee)Preposition לְ with 3fs suffix, referring to Achsah.
כָּלֵ֖בCalebproper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Subjectכָּלֵב (H3612); the attentive father, ready to hear his daughter's request.
מַהwhatinterrogative pronoun · מַה (H4100)Subject (interrogative)מַה (H4100) 'what?'; opens Caleb's direct, inviting question.
לָּֽךְdo you wantprep לְ + 2fs suffixPredicate complement (idiom מַה לָּךְ 'what is [wrong/wanted] with you')Preposition לְ with 2fs suffix; the idiom מַה־לָּךְ, 'what do you want / what is it with you', an open invitation to speak.
15
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר ל֜וֹ הָֽבָה לִּ֣י בְרָכָ֗ה כִּ֣י אֶ֤רֶץ הַנֶּ֨גֶב֙ נְתַתָּ֔נִי וְנָתַתָּ֥ה לִ֖י גֻּלֹּ֣ת מָ֑יִם וַיִּתֶּן לָ֣הּ כָּלֵ֗ב אֵ֚ת גֻּלֹּ֣ת עִלִּ֔ית וְאֵ֖ת גֻּלֹּ֥ת תַּחְתִּֽית
And she said to him, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water." And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Closes the doublet from Joshua 15:16-19 on a note of generous family provision — a deliberately bright, self-contained episode before the chapter turns toward the Kenites, Hormah, and the crux verses of vv.18-21.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַתֹּ֨אמֶרand she saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Achsah's direct requestאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Achsah speaks for herself, boldly and directly, answering her father's open question.
ל֜וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object (addressee)Preposition לְ with 3ms suffix, referring to Caleb.
הָֽבָהgiveQal impv 2ms + paragogic הָ · יָהַב (H3051)Predicate verb (imperative, direct request)→ Volitional: imperative requestיָהַב (H3051) 'to give'; with paragogic הָ intensifying the request — Achsah asks plainly and confidently.
לִּ֣יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixIndirect objectPreposition לְ with 1cs suffix, marking Achsah as beneficiary.
בְרָכָ֗הa blessingN f sg abs · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Direct objectבְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; here concretely a gift of land/water, not merely a spoken word — the tangible enrichment she requests.
כִּ֣יsinceconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, since, that'; introduces Achsah's rationale for her request.
אֶ֤רֶץland ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (direct object)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct governing הַנֶּגֶב, the dry southern territory already given as her dowry.
הַנֶּ֨גֶב֙the Negevart + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Genitive (construct chain)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; the arid land already given — precisely why water sources are so needed.
נְתַתָּ֔נִיyou have given meQal perf 2ms/1cs suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (causal clause, giving the grounds for the request)→ Perfective: a completed act — the prior gift of dry landנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Achsah names the incomplete gift already received as her leverage for asking more.
וְנָתַתָּ֥הthen giveWaw + Qal weqatal 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal, request continued)→ Weqatal: consequential request — 'so also give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; weqatal continuing the imperative force, pressing the actual request forward.
לִ֖יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixIndirect objectPreposition לְ with 1cs suffix, again marking Achsah as beneficiary.
גֻּלֹּ֣תsprings ofN f pl constr · גֻּלָּה (H1543)Construct chain (direct object)גֻּלָּה (H1543) 'basin, spring'; construct governing מָיִם, the water sources critical to farming the dry Negev.
מָ֑יִםof waterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive (construct chain)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; completing 'springs of water', the practical necessity for the dry southern allotment.
וַיִּתֶּןand he gaveWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Caleb grants the requestנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Caleb responds generously, closing the episode on a note of familial abundance before the chapter's tone darkens.
לָ֣הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffixIndirect objectPreposition לְ with 3fs suffix, referring to Achsah.
כָּלֵ֗בCalebproper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Subjectכָּלֵב (H3612); grants both the challenge-reward and the additional request without hesitation.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the upper springs as the first definite object given.
גֻּלֹּ֣תsprings ofN f pl constr · גֻּלָּה (H1543)Construct chain (direct object)גֻּלָּה (H1543) 'basin, spring'; construct governing עִלִּית, 'upper springs'.
עִלִּ֔יתupperadjective f sg abs · עִלִּי (H5942)Attributive adjective (modifying גֻּלֹּת)עִלִּי (H5942) 'upper'; specifies the higher of the two spring-sites, matching Josh 15:19's identical wording.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ links; אֵת marks the lower springs as the second definite object.
גֻּלֹּ֥תsprings ofN f pl constr · גֻּלָּה (H1543)Construct chain (direct object)גֻּלָּה (H1543) 'basin, spring'; construct governing תַּחְתִּית, 'lower springs'.
תַּחְתִּֽיתloweradjective f sg abs · תַּחְתִּי (H8482)Attributive adjective (modifying גֻּלֹּת)תַּחְתִּי (H8482) 'lower'; completes the pair, giving Achsah both upper and lower spring-sites — a full, generous answer to her request.
16
וּבְנֵ֣י קֵינִי֩ חֹתֵ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֜ה עָל֨וּ מֵעִ֤יר הַתְּמָרִים֙ אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה מִדְבַּ֣ר יְהוּדָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּנֶ֣גֶב עֲרָ֑ד וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב אֶת הָעָֽם
And the sons of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up from the city of palms with the sons of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt with the people.
A geographic and genealogical aside recalling Moses' old alliance (Exod 18; Num 10:29) as it bears fruit generations later — the Kenites relocate from Jericho into Judah's arid south, becoming a fixed feature of the territory's population.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּבְנֵ֣יand the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject phrase)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of the Kenite', introducing a new scene shifting away from Judah's own family affairs to an allied non-Israelite clan.
קֵינִי֩the Kenitegentilic N m sg abs · קֵינִי (H7017)Genitive (construct chain)קֵינִי (H7017) 'Kenite'; a nomadic clan connected to Moses' father-in-law, allied with Israel since the wilderness period.
חֹתֵ֨ןfather-in-law ofQal ptc act m sg constr · חָתַן (H2859)Substantival participle, construct (apposition, identifying the Kenite)→ Participle: substantival, functioning as a title/relation nounחָתַן (H2859) 'to be father-in-law, relative by marriage'; participle used as a title, identifying the Kenites as Moses' in-laws' descendants (cf. Exod 18; Num 10:29).
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive (construct chain)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); links this Kenite clan back to Moses' own household, an old wilderness-era alliance now bearing fruit in the conquest.
עָל֨וּwent upQal perf 3cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act opening a new reportעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the recurring campaign verb, now describing the Kenites' relocation.
מֵעִ֤ירfrom the city ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · עִיר (H5892)Construct chain (source of motion)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; construct governing הַתְּמָרִים, 'city of palms', the traditional epithet for Jericho.
הַתְּמָרִים֙the palmsart + N m pl abs · תָּמָר (H8558)Genitive (construct chain)תָּמָר (H8558) 'palm tree'; 'city of palms' is the standing epithet for Jericho (cf. Deut 34:3), so the Kenites migrate from the Jordan valley oasis toward Judah's arid south.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with' (comitative preposition, not the homographic object-marker H853); marks the Kenites' companionship with Judah's forces.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (object of preposition אֵת)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Judah', the tribe the Kenites accompany.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוּדָה (H3063); the tribe the Kenites join for this stage of the campaign.
מִדְבַּ֣רthe wilderness ofN m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Construct chain (adverbial accusative, goal of motion)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness'; construct governing יְהוּדָה, the arid zone south/east of the settled hill country.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוּדָה (H3063); specifying whose wilderness the Kenites entered.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhichrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying מִדְבַּר יְהוּדָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, that'; introduces the further geographic specification 'which is in the south of Arad'.
בְּנֶ֣גֶבin the south ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · נֶגֶב (H5045)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south'; construct governing עֲרָד, locating the wilderness relative to Arad.
עֲרָ֑דAradproper noun · עֲרָד (H6166)Genitive (construct chain)עֲרָד (H6166); a Negev site associated elsewhere (Num 21:1) with early conflict against Canaanite forces in this same southern region.
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְand he wentWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; singular verb, likely referring to the Kenite clan as a collective unit.
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁבand dweltWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — settlement, not just travelיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the Kenites settle permanently among the people of the region, an enduring alliance rather than a passing visit.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with' (comitative preposition, not the object-marker H853); marks the Kenites' settled companionship with the local population.
הָעָֽםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of prepositionעַם (H5971) 'people'; likely the local population of the Arad region (Amalekite or otherwise), among whom the Kenites make their home.
17
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ יְהוּדָה֙ אֶת שִׁמְע֣וֹן אָחִ֔יו וַיַּכּ֕וּ אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֣ב צְפַ֑ת וַיַּחֲרִ֣ימוּ אוֹתָ֔הּ וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שֵׁם הָעִ֖יר חָרְמָֽה
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanite dwelling in Zephath, and devoted it to destruction. So they called the name of the city Hormah.
The ban (חֵרֶם) is actually executed and the name explained — a rare full instance of Joshua-style total conquest in this chapter, standing out against the partial victories surrounding it.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְand wentWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the Judah-Simeon alliance of v.3 resumes for a further campaign.
יְהוּדָה֙Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); acting again with Simeon per the pact struck in v.3.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with' (comitative, not the object-marker H853); confirms the alliance of v.3 is still in force.
שִׁמְע֣וֹןSimeonproper noun · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Object of prepositionשִׁמְעוֹן (H8095); the ally tribe, honoring the pact of v.3.
אָחִ֔יוhis brotherN m sg constr/3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Apposition (identifying Simeon's relation to Judah)אָח (H251) 'brother'; repeats the fraternal designation from v.3.
וַיַּכּ֕וּand struckWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; the recurring victory verb, here leading into total destruction (herem).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַכְּנַעֲנִי as the definite object struck.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct objectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, the population of Zephath.
יוֹשֵׁ֣בdwellingQal ptc act m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle (modifying הַכְּנַעֲנִי)→ Participle: durative, ongoing occupationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-participle, here about to be erased entirely by the herem.
צְפַ֑תZephathproper noun · צְפַת (H6857)Direct object (of participle יוֹשֵׁב)צְפַת (H6857); a Negev town whose old name is about to be replaced entirely by the following etymology.
וַיַּחֲרִ֣ימוּand devoted to destructionWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · חָרַם (H2763)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the ban executedחָרַם (H2763) 'to devote to destruction, place under ban'; Hiphil, the technical term for herem, total consecrated destruction, matching Joshua's conquest ideal.
אוֹתָ֔הּ[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, pronominal, referring to the city)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring to (feminine) the city.
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand calledWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the renamingקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; introduces the etiological renaming that closes the episode.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שֵׁם הָעִיר as the definite object named.
שֵׁםthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (direct object)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct governing הָעִיר, introducing the etiology 'they called the name of the city Hormah'.
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; refers back to Zephath, now renamed.
חָרְמָֽהHormahproper noun · חָרְמָה (H2767)Predicate nominative (new name)חָרְמָה (H2767) 'Hormah', from the same root as חָרַם above — the name itself memorializes the total destruction just enacted, echoing the earlier Hormah tradition of Num 21:3.
18
וַיִּלְכֹּ֤ד יְהוּדָה֙ אֶת עַזָּ֣ה וְאֶת גְּבוּלָ֔הּ וְאֶֽת אַשְׁקְל֖וֹן וְאֶת גְּבוּלָ֑הּ וְאֶת עֶקְר֖וֹן וְאֶת גְּבוּלָֽהּ
And Judah captured Gaza and its territory, and Ashkelon and its territory, and Ekron and its territory.
The MT's positive 'captured' stands in tension both with the LXX, which reads negatively here ('did not capture/inherit'), and with the historical persistence of Philistine power over these very cities throughout Judges and Samuel — a genuine textual and historical crux the chapter does not resolve.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּלְכֹּ֤דand capturedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָכַד (H3920) 'to capture'; the MT reads Judah as conqueror of the Philistine coastal cities here, a claim in real tension with v.19's report that Judah could not dispossess the valley (chariots of iron) and with the LXX, which reads negatively at this verse ('did not take possession of') — a major textual crux of the chapter.
יְהוּדָה֙Judahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); credited here with the three major Philistine coastal cities, though history and v.19's own qualifier suggest these gains, if real, were not lasting.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עַזָּה as the definite object captured.
עַזָּ֣הGazaproper noun · עַזָּה (H5804)Direct object (first of three)עַזָּה (H5804); one of the five Philistine city-states, later a fixture of Philistine power throughout Judges and Samuel.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks גְּבוּלָהּ as the next definite object.
גְּבוּלָ֔הּits territoryN m sg constr/3fs suffix · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct objectגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; the surrounding district of Gaza, claimed alongside the city itself.
וְאֶֽתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks אַשְׁקְלוֹן as the next definite object.
אַשְׁקְל֖וֹןAshkelonproper noun · אַשְׁקְלוֹן (H831)Direct object (second of three)אַשְׁקְלוֹן (H831); second of the Philistine coastal cities named.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the second גְּבוּלָהּ as definite object.
גְּבוּלָ֑הּits territoryN m sg constr/3fs suffix · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct objectגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; Ashkelon's surrounding district.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks עֶקְרוֹן as the next definite object.
עֶקְר֖וֹןEkronproper noun · עֶקְרוֹן (H6138)Direct object (third of three)עֶקְרוֹן (H6138); third of the Philistine cities named, completing the northern three of the five-city Pentapolis (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the third גְּבוּלָהּ as definite object, closing the triad.
גְּבוּלָֽהּits territoryN m sg constr/3fs suffix · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct objectגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; Ekron's surrounding district, completing the triple formula.
19
וַיְהִ֤י יְהוָה֙ אֶתּ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖רֶשׁ אֶת הָהָ֑ר כִּ֣י לֹ֤א לְהוֹרִישׁ֙ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָעֵ֔מֶק כִּי רֶ֥כֶב בַּרְזֶ֖ל לָהֶֽם
And YHWH was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country; but he could not dispossess the inhabitants of the valley, for they had chariots of iron.
The chapter's thesis verse: divine presence and real success (hill country) sit beside plainly stated, unresolved failure (valley, because of iron chariots). This is the pattern — theological cause plus concrete military cause for incomplete conquest — repeated with variations through vv.27-36.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְהִ֤יand wasWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's thesis statement opens hereהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; 'YHWH was with Judah' states the theological cause behind every victory so far, immediately before the limit is named.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); named explicitly as the source of Judah's success — matching the pattern of v.4.
אֶתּwithprep · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with' (unusual doubled-tet spelling אֶתּ in the MT, but the same comitative preposition, not the object-marker H853); the theological ground clause 'YHWH was with Judah'.
יְהוּדָ֔הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Object of prepositionיְהוּדָה (H3063); the tribe under divine favor throughout this chapter — yet even divine presence does not guarantee total dispossession.
וַיֹּ֖רֶשׁand he took possession ofWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — successful conquest of the hill countryיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to inherit, dispossess'; Hiphil, the technical verb for taking full possession — the same root that will be negated two clauses later, framing the whole verse's contrast.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָהָר as the definite object possessed.
הָהָ֑רthe hill countryart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Direct objectהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; what Judah successfully took — set against the valley below in the next clause.
כִּ֣יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, but'; here adversative, marking the sharp turn from success to limitation — the pivot of the chapter's thesis verse.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of the infinitive לְהוֹרִישׁ)לֹא (H3808); the negation that reframes the whole verse — success in the hill country, failure in the valley.
לְהוֹרִישׁ֙to dispossessprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive construct (complement of לֹא, negated ability)→ Infinitive construct: negated capacity — 'was not able to dispossess'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; same root repeated from וַיֹּרֶשׁ above, now negated — the chapter's central formula for incomplete conquest, recurring throughout vv.27-36.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יֹשְׁבֵי הָעֵמֶק as the definite object not dispossessed.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-participle — these inhabitants remain precisely because Judah could not dispossess them.
הָעֵ֔מֶקthe valleyart + N m sg abs · עֵמֶק (H6010)Genitive (construct chain)עֵמֶק (H6010) 'valley, lowland'; the terrain where chariots could operate, unlike the hill country Judah successfully held.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the concrete military reason for the failure — a rare moment where Scripture states the practical cause plainly rather than only a theological one.
רֶ֥כֶבchariot(s) ofN m sg constr · רֶכֶב (H7393)Construct chain (subject)רֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(s)' (collective); construct governing בַּרְזֶל, naming the military technology that neutralized Israel's hill-country advantage in open valley terrain.
בַּרְזֶ֖לironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Genitive (construct chain)בַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; iron-fitted chariots mark Canaanite technological superiority in the lowlands, the concrete obstacle named plainly, without theological softening.
לָהֶֽםthey hadprep לְ + 3mp suffix (possessive predicate)Predicate of possession ('belonging to them')Preposition לְ with 3mp suffix, idiom of possession, 'they had/there was to them' — the valley-dwellers' military advantage stated plainly.
20
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ לְכָלֵב֙ אֶת חֶבְר֔וֹן כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֣ר מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיּ֣וֹרֶשׁ מִשָּׁ֔ם אֶת שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֥י הָעֲנָֽק
And they gave Hebron to Caleb, just as Moses had spoken; and he dispossessed from there the three sons of Anak.
Caleb's own complete success — full dispossession of the Anakite giants — stands as a deliberate individual counterexample to the tribal-level limitation just stated in v.19, and to the corporate failures about to follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּand they gaveWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the tribe formally confirms what has already been established through conquest — Hebron to Caleb.
לְכָלֵב֙to Calebprep לְ + proper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Indirect objectכָּלֵב (H3612); receives formal confirmation of the inheritance already secured through his household's conquest in vv.12-15.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking חֶבְרוֹן as the definite object given.
חֶבְר֔וֹןHebronproper noun · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Direct objectחֶבְרוֹן (H2275); Caleb's inheritance, now formally confirmed as promised.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖רjust asprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunctionכַּאֲשֶׁר (כְּ + H834) 'just as'; ties the gift back to Moses' original promise (cf. Deut 1:36; Josh 14:9-14).
דִּבֶּ֣רhad spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (subordinate clause)→ Perfective: a prior, completed act of promiseדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel, the standing formula for a binding prior promise being fulfilled.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the original source of Caleb's promised inheritance, now honored a generation later.
וַיּ֣וֹרֶשׁand he dispossessedWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — successful dispossession, the positive counterpart to v.19's negated formיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; the same root as v.19, but here successfully accomplished by Caleb specifically — an individual exception to the tribe's broader limitation.
מִשָּׁ֔םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; מִשָּׁם 'from there', i.e. from Hebron.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שְׁלֹשָׁה בְּנֵי הָעֲנָק as the definite object dispossessed.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֖הthree (of)cardinal number m sg abs · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Direct object (numeral heading construct chain)שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'; refers back to Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai of v.10.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Anak', the Anakite giants of v.10.
הָעֲנָֽקAnakart + proper noun · עֲנָק (H6061)Genitive (construct chain)עֲנָק (H6061); the ancestor/clan-name behind the Anakite giants — their dispossession by Caleb specifically closes the Hebron material on a note of complete success.
21
וְאֶת הַיְבוּסִי֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם לֹ֥א הוֹרִ֖ישׁוּ בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב הַיְבוּסִ֜י אֶת בְּנֵ֤י בִנְיָמִן֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
But the Jebusite dwelling in Jerusalem the sons of Benjamin did not dispossess; and the Jebusite dwells with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
Directly contradicts the impression left by v.8's capture-and-burning of Jerusalem — the chapter holds both notices side by side without resolving them, and the doubled statement (negative, then positive 'to this day') gives the failure maximum emphasis at the close of the chapter's first major section.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאֶתbut [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fronted object, adversative)וְ here adversative ('but'), setting up a contrast with the Jerusalem-conquest claim of v.8; אֵת marks הַיְבוּסִי as the definite, fronted object of the negated verb.
הַיְבוּסִי֙the Jebusiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Direct object (fronted)יְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem, whose continued presence directly contradicts the total-conquest impression of v.8.
יֹשֵׁ֣בdwellingQal ptc act m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle (modifying הַיְבוּסִי)→ Participle: durative, ongoing occupationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the chapter's recurring settlement-participle, now marking the very failure the chapter has been building toward.
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔םJerusalemproper noun · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Adverbial accusative (locative, modifying the participle)יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389); the same city reported struck and burned in v.8 — the tension between the two notices is deliberate, not harmonized by the text.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁוּ)לֹא (H3808); negates the following verb, stating Benjamin's failure plainly.
הוֹרִ֖ישׁוּdid dispossessHiphil perf 3cp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; the same root as v.19's formula, now attached specifically to Benjamin and Jerusalem — the chapter's second named instance of the failure pattern.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (subject phrase)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Benjamin' as subject of the negated verb.
בִנְיָמִ֑ןBenjaminproper noun · בִנְיָמִן (H1144)Genitive (construct chain); whole phrase is Subjectבִנְיָמִן (H1144); the tribe in whose territory Jerusalem sat, now named as the one who failed to dispossess the Jebusite.
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁבand dwellsWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, stating the ongoing result)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, describing a lasting present stateיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; states plainly, in narrative form, an ongoing reality reaching to the narrator's own day.
הַיְבוּסִ֜יthe Jebusiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Subjectיְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; repeated for emphasis — subject of the verse's second, positively-stated clause confirming continued presence.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with' (comitative, not the object-marker H853); states the ongoing coexistence directly, unresolved.
בְּנֵ֤יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (object of preposition)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Benjamin' repeated, emphasizing the two peoples living side by side.
בִנְיָמִן֙Benjaminproper noun · בִנְיָמִן (H1144)Genitive (construct chain)בִנְיָמִן (H1144); named again, closing the emphatic repetition of the tribe's identity.
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םin Jerusalemprep בְּ + proper noun · יְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389)Locative prepositional phraseיְרוּשָׁלִַם (H3389); the city named a third time in this single verse, driving home the point of continued shared occupation.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; introduces the standing formula עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, marking the report as true at the time of writing.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of prepositionיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; part of the standard historiographic formula 'to this day', marking narratorial distance from the events.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַיּוֹם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; closes the 'to this day' formula, a durative claim the book of Judges uses repeatedly to mark unresolved conditions.
22
וַיַּעֲל֧וּ בֵית יוֹסֵ֛ף גַּם הֵ֖ם בֵּֽית אֵ֑ל וַֽיהוָ֖ה עִמָּֽם
And the house of Joseph, they too, went up against Bethel; and YHWH was with them.
Opens the Bethel episode with the same divine-presence formula given to Judah (v.19), setting up a narrative that will nonetheless proceed through reconnaissance and a negotiated deal rather than open conquest — success by different, morally mixed means.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּעֲל֧וּand went upWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a new campaign opensעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; shifts the chapter's focus from Judah/Simeon in the south to the house of Joseph in the central hill country.
בֵיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (subject phrase)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct, 'house of Joseph' = Ephraim and Manasseh together.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive (construct chain); whole phrase is Subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); shorthand for the combined Ephraim-Manasseh tribes, the chapter's new protagonist for this episode.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial particle (emphatic)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; marks the house of Joseph as another tribe following the pattern already set by Judah.
הֵ֖םtheyindependent pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject (resumptive, emphatic with גַּם)הֵם (H1992) 'they'; emphatic, reinforcing גַּם — 'they too' went up, like Judah before them.
בֵּֽיתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Adverbial accusative (goal of motion, first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1008) 'house of'; first half of Bethel, the ancient patriarchal sanctuary site (cf. Gen 28).
אֵ֑ל-elproper noun (second element) · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Adverbial accusative (goal of motion, second element of compound name)אֵל (within H1008) 'God'; second half of Bethel, 'house of God', its older name being Luz (v.23).
וַֽיהוָ֖הand YHWHconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject (of the accompanying clause)יְהוָה (H3068); the same theological affirmation given to Judah in v.19 is now given to Joseph — divine presence, though the following episode's methods will be morally mixed.
עִמָּֽםwith themprep עִם + 3mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Predicate complement (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; states divine favor plainly at the outset, before the morally mixed reconnaissance-and-mercy tactics of the following verses.
23
וַיָּתִ֥ירוּ בֵית יוֹסֵ֖ף בְּבֵֽית אֵ֑ל וְשֵׁם הָעִ֥יר לְפָנִ֖ים לֽוּז
And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel — now the name of the city formerly was Luz.
Marks the strategy as espionage from the outset — the same tactic used at Jericho — and preserves the older name Luz, which will resurface transplanted at the episode's end.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיָּתִ֥ירוּand sent to spy outWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · תּוּר (H8446)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — reconnaissance, not open assaultתּוּר (H8446) 'to explore, spy out'; Hiphil, the same root used of the twelve spies (Num 13) — the house of Joseph takes Bethel by intelligence and negotiation rather than direct battle.
בֵיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (subject phrase)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct, 'house of Joseph', repeating the subject of v.22.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive (construct chain); whole phrase is Subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); the combined tribes, now shown employing reconnaissance tactics.
בְּבֵֽיתat Beth-prep בְּ + proper noun (first element) · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Locative prepositional phrase (first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1008) 'house of'; first half of Bethel, the target of the reconnaissance.
אֵ֑ל-elproper noun (second element) · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Locative (second element of compound name)אֵל (within H1008) 'God'; second half of Bethel.
וְשֵׁםand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (parenthetical explanatory clause)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the same etiological device used for Kiriath-arba (v.10) and Kiriath-sepher (v.11).
הָעִ֥ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; refers to Bethel/Luz.
לְפָנִ֖יםformerlyprep לְ + N c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic לְפָנִים 'formerly', matching the formula of vv.10-11.
לֽוּזLuzproper noun · לוּז (H3870)Predicate nominative (older name)לוּז (H3870); Bethel's patriarchal-era name (Gen 28:19; 35:6) — the name that will resurface transplanted in v.26, as the spared man founds a new city bearing this old name.
24
וַיִּרְאוּ֙ הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔ים אִ֖ישׁ יוֹצֵ֣א מִן הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ ל֗וֹ הַרְאֵ֤נוּ נָא֙ אֶת מְב֣וֹא הָעִ֔יר וְעָשִׂ֥ינוּ עִמְּךָ֖ חָֽסֶד
And the watchers saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us, please, the entrance to the city, and we will deal with you in kindness."
The pivotal bargain of the episode: military intelligence for personal safety, sealed with the weighty covenantal term חֶסֶד — its use here in an act that will lead to the man's own city's destruction gives the scene its morally mixed character.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּרְאוּ֙and sawWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the spies' reconnaissance yields an opportunity.
הַשֹּׁ֣מְרִ֔יםthe watchersart + Qal ptc act m pl abs · שָׁמַר (H8104)Substantival participle (subject)→ Participle: substantival — 'those keeping watch,' i.e. the spiesשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to watch, guard'; substantival participle referring back to those sent to spy out (תּוּר) the city in v.23.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct objectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; unnamed, the pivotal figure of the whole episode — his identity is never given, only his usefulness.
יוֹצֵ֣אcoming outQal ptc act m sg abs · יָצָא (H3318)Attributive participle (modifying אִישׁ)→ Participle: durative, describing the man in the act of exitingיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; catches the man at the vulnerable moment of leaving the city.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the city as the point of departure.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of prepositionעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Bethel/Luz.
וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּand they saidWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the spies' proposal — negotiation, not force.
ל֗וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object (addressee)Preposition לְ with 3ms suffix, referring to the unnamed man.
הַרְאֵ֤נוּshow usHiphil impv 2ms/1cp suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (imperative, direct speech)→ Volitional: imperative requestרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Hiphil 'to show, cause to see'; the negotiated request that begins the deal.
נָא֙pleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Enclitic particle (softening the imperative)נָא (H4994) 'please, now'; softens the imperative, framing this as a request/negotiation rather than a threat.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מְבוֹא הָעִיר as the definite object to be shown.
מְב֣וֹאthe entrance ofN m sg constr · מָבוֹא (H3996)Construct chain (direct object)מָבוֹא (H3996) 'entrance, way in'; the tactical secret the man alone possesses — the city's vulnerable point.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; Bethel.
וְעָשִׂ֥ינוּand we will dealWaw + Qal weqatal 1cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis of the negotiated promise)→ Weqatal: consequential — the binding promise in exchange for informationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; weqatal, the promised return for cooperation — a formal bargain.
עִמְּךָ֖with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with'; marks the man himself, not just information, as the object of the promised kindness.
חָֽסֶדkindnessN m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Direct objectחֶסֶד (H2617) 'loyal kindness, covenant faithfulness'; a weighty covenantal term used here in a purely transactional, military-strategic bargain — its deployment here is morally ambiguous, promising loyalty in exchange for betrayal of one's own city.
25
וַיַּרְאֵם֙ אֶת מְב֣וֹא הָעִ֔יר וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֶת הָעִ֖יר לְפִי חָ֑רֶב וְאֶת הָאִ֥ישׁ וְאֶת כָּל מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ שִׁלֵּֽחוּ
And he showed them the entrance to the city, and they struck the city with the edge of the sword; but the man and all his family they let go.
The city is destroyed by the same total-conquest formula used for Jerusalem (v.8), while the single informant and his household are spared — the bargain of v.24 is kept to the letter, but the scene remains morally unsettled: a man's cooperation buys survival at the cost of his city and neighbors.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּרְאֵם֙and he showed themWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms/3mp suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the man keeps his side of the bargainרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Hiphil 'to show'; the man complies, setting the city's fall in motion.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מְבוֹא הָעִיר as the definite object shown.
מְב֣וֹאthe entrance ofN m sg constr · מָבוֹא (H3996)Construct chain (direct object)מָבוֹא (H3996) 'entrance'; the secret that seals the city's fate.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; Bethel.
וַיַּכּ֥וּand they struckWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike'; the intelligence pays off in a decisive military strike.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite object struck.
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct objectעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Bethel falls despite the negotiated exception for one man's family.
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatic 'mouth of the sword' = the sword's edge, the same total-conquest formula used for Jerusalem in v.8.
חָ֑רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive (construct chain)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the formula for total destruction of the city population.
וְאֶתbut [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (adversative, fronted exception)וְ here adversative ('but'), marking the exception to the total destruction just described; אֵת marks הָאִישׁ as the spared, definite object.
הָאִ֥ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct objectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the informant, now identified back to v.24 by the article — the deal is honored despite the city's destruction.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second spared object)וְ links; אֵת marks כָּל מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹ as the second spared, definite object.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (direct object)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; extends the promised kindness to the man's whole household, not just himself.
מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹhis familyN f sg constr/3ms suffix · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Genitive (construct chain)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the man's household, spared as promised.
שִׁלֵּֽחוּthey let goPiel perf 3cp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — the bargain honoredשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel 'to release, let go'; the promise of v.24 is kept — but the man is sent away from his own destroyed home, an ambiguous 'mercy'.
26
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ הָאִ֔ישׁ אֶ֖רֶץ הַחִתִּ֑ים וַיִּ֣בֶן עִ֗יר וַיִּקְרָ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ ל֔וּז ה֣וּא שְׁמָ֔הּ עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
And the man went to the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called its name Luz; that is its name to this day.
Closes the Bethel episode on a note of displacement rather than triumph: the informant survives but is exiled far away, and the old patriarchal name Luz is transplanted onto a foreign city — a strange, unresolved epilogue to a victory won by negotiation rather than conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְand wentWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the spared informant relocates far from the ruins of his former city.
הָאִ֔ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; still unnamed to the end of the episode — his identity remains defined solely by his usefulness.
אֶ֖רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (adverbial accusative, goal of motion)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct governing הַחִתִּים, a distant relocation entirely outside Israel's territory.
הַחִתִּ֑יםthe Hittitesart + gentilic N m pl abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Genitive (construct chain)חִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; likely the northern Neo-Hittite region of Syria, far outside Canaan — the man's exile is total.
וַיִּ֣בֶןand he builtWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; the man starts a new life, founding a city as his own former one lies in ruins.
עִ֗ירa cityN f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct objectעִיר (H5892) 'city'; a new city, indefinite (unlike the definite 'the city' used throughout the episode for Bethel).
וַיִּקְרָ֤אand he calledWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the transplanted namingקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the man names his new city, carrying the old identity with him into exile.
שְׁמָהּ֙its nameN m sg constr/3fs suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the naming act that closes the episode's etiological thread.
ל֔וּזLuzproper noun · לוּז (H3870)Predicate nominative (new name)לוּז (H3870); the OLD name of the now-destroyed Bethel (v.23), transplanted onto an entirely new city in a foreign land — the memory persists even as the original place is renamed and reshaped.
ה֣וּאthat (is)independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (copula-substitute, resumptive)הוּא (H1931) 'he, that'; resumptive pronoun affirming the identification, 'that is its name'.
שְׁמָ֔הּits nameN m sg constr/3fs suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominativeשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; repeated for emphasis, confirming the name's durability.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the 'to this day' formula, matching v.21's usage.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of prepositionיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; part of the standing historiographic formula.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הַיּוֹם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; closes the episode with the same durative formula as v.21, marking the transplanted name's continued currency at the time of writing.
27
וְלֹא הוֹרִ֣ישׁ מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה אֶת בֵּית שְׁאָ֣ן וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֶיהָ֮ וְאֶת תַּעְנַ֣ךְ וְאֶת בְּנֹתֶיהָ֒ וְאֶת ישב יֹשְׁבֵ֨י ד֜וֹר וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֶ֗יהָ וְאֶת יוֹשְׁבֵ֤י יִבְלְעָם֙ וְאֶת בְּנֹתֶ֔יהָ וְאֶת יוֹשְׁבֵ֥י מְגִדּ֖וֹ וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ וַיּ֨וֹאֶל֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י לָשֶׁ֖בֶת בָּאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּֽאת
But Manasseh did not dispossess Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; for the Canaanite was determined to dwell in this land.
The chapter's dominant refrain begins here: five major Jezreel-valley cities Manasseh never took, closing with the striking verb יָאַל ('was determined') that grants the Canaanite active resolve rather than mere passive survival — the failure is framed as their persistence, not just Israel's omission.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁ), opening the failure catalogueלֹא (H3808); opens the long catalogue of vv.27-36, the chapter's descending register of incomplete dispossession, tribe by tribe.
הוֹרִ֣ישׁdid dispossessHiphil perf 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; the chapter's central verb (cf. v.19), now heading the tribe-by-tribe catalogue, largely inherited from Josh 17:11-13.
מְנַשֶּׁ֗הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Subjectמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); the first named tribe in the catalogue, holding key cities in the strategic Jezreel valley.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בֵּית שְׁאָן as the first definite object not dispossessed.
בֵּיתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית שְׁאָן (H1052)Direct object (first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1052) 'house of'; first half of Beth-shean, a major fortified city commanding the Jezreel-Jordan junction.
שְׁאָ֣ן-sheanproper noun (second element) · בֵּית שְׁאָן (H1052)Direct object (second element of compound name)שְׁאָן (within H1052); second half of Beth-shean, later the site where Saul's body is displayed (1 Sam 31:10) — a strategically vital city never fully secured.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks Beth-shean's satellite villages as the next definite object.
בְּנוֹתֶיהָ֮its villagesN f pl constr/3fs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; idiomatic plural 'daughters' = dependent villages/satellite settlements of the main city.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks תַּעְנַךְ as the next definite object, second of the five cities.
תַּעְנַ֣ךְTaanachproper noun · תַּעְנָךְ (H8590)Direct objectתַּעְנָךְ (H8590); a Jezreel-valley city near Megiddo, part of the inherited Josh 17:11 list.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks Taanach's satellite villages as the next definite object.
בְּנֹתֶיהָ֒its villagesN f pl constr/3fs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; 'daughters' = Taanach's satellite villages.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the (Kethiv-Qere doubled) 'inhabitants of Dor' phrase as the next definite object.
ישב(dwelling)Qal ptc act m sg constr (Kethiv, defective spelling) · יָשַׁב (H3427)Textual doublet (Kethiv form, superseded by the following Qere יֹשְׁבֵי)→ Kethiv token — the written form; the Qere's substantival participle ('the inhabitants of') carries the clause's force.יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the MT preserves both a defective Kethiv (ישב) and the fuller Qere (יֹשְׁבֵי) reading side by side here — a textual duplication left unresolved in the consonantal text, a minor crux of transmission.
יֹשְׁבֵ֨יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; here Dor is described by its inhabitants rather than named directly, unlike the other four cities in this list.
ד֜וֹרDorproper noun · דּוֹר (H1756)Genitive (construct chain)דּוֹר (H1756); a coastal city near Carmel, third of the five Manasseh sites, likewise from Josh 17:11.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks Dor's satellite villages as the next definite object.
בְּנוֹתֶ֗יהָits villagesN f pl constr/3fs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; 'daughters' = Dor's satellite villages.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the 'inhabitants of Ibleam' phrase as the next definite object.
יוֹשְׁבֵ֤יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; Ibleam too is named by its inhabitants rather than directly.
יִבְלְעָם֙Ibleamproper noun · יִבְלְעָם (H2991)Genitive (construct chain)יִבְלְעָם (H2991); fourth of the five Manasseh cities, in the Jezreel corridor.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks Ibleam's satellite villages as the next definite object.
בְּנֹתֶ֔יהָits villagesN f pl constr/3fs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; 'daughters' = Ibleam's satellite villages.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the 'inhabitants of Megiddo' phrase as the final definite object of the list.
יוֹשְׁבֵ֥יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; Megiddo, like Dor and Ibleam, is named by its inhabitants.
מְגִדּ֖וֹMegiddoproper noun · מְגִדּוֹ (H4023)Genitive (construct chain)מְגִדּוֹ (H4023); the last and most strategically famous of the five cities, guarding the Jezreel valley's key pass — never fully subdued despite its importance.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks Megiddo's satellite villages as the last definite object of the catalogue.
בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָits villagesN f pl constr/3fs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct objectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; 'daughters' = Megiddo's satellite villages, closing the five-city list.
וַיּ֨וֹאֶל֙and persistedWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָאַל (H2974)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the Canaanite's determined persistenceיָאַל (H2974) 'to be determined, undertake, persist'; Hiphil, a striking verb choice giving the Canaanite active agency and resolve, not mere passive survival — he 'was determined' to stay.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Subjectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, the population who actively chose to remain — the grammar itself grants them the initiative Israel failed to exercise.
לָשֶׁ֖בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Complementary infinitive construct (with וַיּוֹאֶל)→ Infinitive construct: complement of יָאַל, expressing sustained actionיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-root, now the very thing the Canaanite is 'determined' to keep doing.
בָּאָ֥רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the very land promised and, per v.2, already 'given' — yet still contested territory.
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative (modifying הָאָרֶץ)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; closes the verse, anchoring the persistence concretely to this particular land, not an abstraction.
28
וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי חָזַ֣ק יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י לָמַ֑ס וְהוֹרֵ֖ישׁ לֹ֥א הוֹרִישֽׁוֹ
And it happened, when Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanite to forced labor, but they did not utterly dispossess him.
The verse's key theological-political diagnosis: growing strength is used for economic exploitation (מַס) rather than to finish the commanded dispossession — a shift from obedience to pragmatic domination that recasts every subsequent tribal failure in this light.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַֽיְהִי֙and it happenedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, introducing a temporal clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the same formulaic וַיְהִי that opened the book (v.1), here marking a pivotal shift in policy.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'when, that'; introduces the temporal clause marking the turning point from weakness to strength.
חָזַ֣קgrew strongQal perf 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Perfective: a completed change of conditionחָזַק (H2388) 'to be/grow strong'; marks Israel's shift in power — and, tellingly, the shift toward exploiting rather than expelling.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subjectיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the nation as a whole, generalizing beyond the single tribe of Manasseh in v.27.
וַיָּ֥שֶׂםthat they putWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׂוּם (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive policy choiceשׂוּם (H7760) 'to put, place'; the verse's key move — strength is used to subjugate for labor, not to complete the command to dispossess.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַכְּנַעֲנִי as the definite object put to labor.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct objectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, now generalized to describe the whole conquered-but-not-expelled population.
לָמַ֑סto forced laborprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַס (H4522)Adverbial prepositional phrase (result)מַס (H4522) 'forced labor, corvée'; the key term of this whole section — strength converted into economic exploitation instead of the commanded dispossession, a shift from obedience to pragmatic domination.
וְהוֹרֵ֖ישׁutterly dispossessWaw + Hiphil inf abs · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive absolute (emphatic, with the following finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies the negation — 'did not dispossess AT ALL'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; infinitive absolute + finite verb construction gives emphatic force to the negation — complete, decisive non-dispossession, not partial or accidental.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁוֹ)לֹא (H3808); paired with the infinitive absolute for maximal emphasis on the failure.
הוֹרִישֽׁוֹdid he dispossess himHiphil perf 3ms/3ms suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated, with infinitive absolute)→ Perfective (emphatically negated): the definitive statement of the tribe's failureיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; the emphatic construction's finite verb, closing the verse on the flat, unambiguous fact of non-dispossession despite Israel's new strength.
29
וְאֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ לֹ֣א הוֹרִ֔ישׁ אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣ב בְּגָ֑זֶר וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹ בְּגָֽזֶר
And Ephraim did not dispossess the Canaanite dwelling in Gezer; so the Canaanite dwelt in its midst, in Gezer.
A brief, single-city entry — Gezer — matching Joshua 16:10's identical report; the phrase 'in its midst' begins the grammar of inversion (Israel amid Canaan) that becomes explicit with Asher in v.32.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֶפְרַ֨יִם֙and Ephraimconj וְ + proper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Subjectאֶפְרַיִם (H669); Joseph's other major tribe, now given its own entry in the catalogue after the shared Bethel campaign of vv.22-26.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁ)לֹא (H3808); continues the catalogue's refrain.
הוֹרִ֔ישׁdid dispossessHiphil perf 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; the catalogue's recurring verb, this time attached to Ephraim and a single named city, Gezer.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַכְּנַעֲנִי as the definite object not dispossessed.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct objectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); the population of Gezer, a city also famously unconquered in Josh 16:10.
הַיּוֹשֵׁ֣בdwellingart + Qal ptc act m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle (modifying הַכְּנַעֲנִי)→ Participle: durative, ongoing occupationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the chapter's recurring settlement-participle.
בְּגָ֑זֶרin Gezerprep בְּ + proper noun · גֶּזֶר (H1507)Locative prepositional phraseגֶּזֶר (H1507); a strategic Shephelah-border city, matching Josh 16:10's identical report.
וַיֵּ֧שֶׁבbut dweltWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the ongoing counter-factיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; restates the failure positively — the Canaanite simply continued to live there.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Subjectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); repeated as subject of the positive restatement.
בְּקִרְבּ֖וֹin its midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; here Ephraim is described as living among the Canaanite (grammatically, the Canaanite's 'midst') — an early instance of the register that will invert fully by v.32.
בְּגָֽזֶרin Gezerprep בְּ + proper noun · גֶּזֶר (H1507)Locative prepositional phraseגֶּזֶר (H1507); repeated for emphasis, naming the exact site of the enduring coexistence.
30
זְבוּלֻ֗ן לֹ֤א הוֹרִישׁ֙ אֶת יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י קִטְר֔וֹן וְאֶת יוֹשְׁבֵ֖י נַהֲלֹ֑ל וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ וַיִּֽהְי֖וּ לָמַֽס
Zebulun did not dispossess the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol; so the Canaanite dwelt in its midst, and became forced labor.
Combines the coexistence formula ('in its midst') with the forced-labor outcome named generally in v.28 — the two threads of the catalogue converge in a single tribe's entry.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
זְבוּלֻ֗ןZebulunproper noun · זְבוּלֻן (H2074)Subjectזְבוּלֻן (H2074); the next tribe in the descending catalogue, holding territory in lower Galilee.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁ)לֹא (H3808); continues the descending catalogue's refrain.
הוֹרִישׁ֙did dispossessHiphil perf 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; the catalogue's recurring verb, now attached to Zebulun's two named towns.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the 'inhabitants of Kitron' phrase as the first definite object.
יוֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-participle, naming Kitron by its population.
קִטְר֔וֹןKitronproper noun · קִטְרוֹן (H7003)Genitive (construct chain)קִטְרוֹן (H7003); a Zebulunite town of otherwise uncertain location, possibly identical to Kattath in Josh 19:15.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the 'inhabitants of Nahalol' phrase as the second definite object.
יוֹשְׁבֵ֖יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; naming Nahalol by its population, matching the pattern for Kitron.
נַהֲלֹ֑לNahalolproper noun · נַהֲלֹל (H5096)Genitive (construct chain)נַהֲלֹל (H5096); a Zebulunite town, likely the Nahalal of Josh 19:15.
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁבbut dweltWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the ongoing counter-factיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; states the resulting coexistence positively, as with Ephraim in v.29.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Subjectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular, the population of Kitron and Nahalol together.
בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹin its midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; matches Ephraim's formula in v.29 — coexistence rather than expulsion.
וַיִּֽהְי֖וּand they becameWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the resulting labor arrangementהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the Canaanite of Zebulun's territory become forced laborers, echoing v.28's general policy statement.
לָמַֽסforced laborprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַס (H4522)Predicate complement (result)מַס (H4522) 'forced labor'; the same term as v.28, confirming the general policy applied specifically here.
31
אָשֵׁ֗ר לֹ֤א הוֹרִישׁ֙ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֣י עַכּ֔וֹ וְאֶת יוֹשְׁבֵ֖י צִיד֑וֹן וְאֶת אַחְלָ֤ב וְאֶת אַכְזִיב֙ וְאֶת חֶלְבָּ֔ה וְאֶת אֲפִ֖יק וְאֶת רְחֹֽב
Asher did not dispossess the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon, or Ahlab, or Achzib, or Helbah, or Aphik, or Rehob.
Seven named cities and towns, including the major Phoenician centers Acco and Sidon — Asher's failure is quantitatively the largest in the catalogue, foreshadowing v.32's explicit statement that Asher ends up living in the Canaanites' midst rather than the reverse.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
אָשֵׁ֗רAsherproper noun · אָשֵׁר (H836)Subjectאָשֵׁר (H836); the tribe holding the Phoenician coastal strip, its list of unconquered cities the longest of any single tribe in this catalogue.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁ)לֹא (H3808); continues the descending catalogue's refrain.
הוֹרִישׁ֙did dispossessHiphil perf 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; heads Asher's unusually long list of seven unconquered coastal towns.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the 'inhabitants of Acco' phrase as the first definite object.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-participle, naming Acco by its population.
עַכּ֔וֹAccoproper noun · עַכּוֹ (H5910)Genitive (construct chain)עַכּוֹ (H5910); the major Phoenician port city, later Ptolemais/Acre, never held by Israel.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the 'inhabitants of Sidon' phrase as the next definite object.
יוֹשְׁבֵ֖יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; naming Sidon by its population.
צִיד֑וֹןSidonproper noun · צִידוֹן (H6721)Genitive (construct chain)צִידוֹן (H6721); one of the greatest Phoenician cities, never even seriously threatened — its inclusion signals how far outside Israel's actual reach this list extends.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks אַחְלָב as the next definite object.
אַחְלָ֤בAhlabproper noun · אַחְלָב (H303)Direct objectאַחְלָב (H303); a lesser-known Asherite town of otherwise uncertain identification.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks אַכְזִיב as the next definite object.
אַכְזִיב֙Achzibproper noun · אַכְזִיב (H392)Direct objectאַכְזִיב (H392); a coastal town near Acco, from a root meaning 'deceptive, dried-up' — an apt irony given it was never actually possessed.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks חֶלְבָּה as the next definite object.
חֶלְבָּ֔הHelbahproper noun · חֶלְבָּה (H2462)Direct objectחֶלְבָּה (H2462); another otherwise unattested Asherite town, possibly related to Ahlab above.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks אֲפִיק as the next definite object.
אֲפִ֖יקAphikproper noun · אֲפִיק (H663)Direct objectאֲפִיק (H663); the Asherite Aphek (distinct from other Apheks in the OT), listed already unconquered in Josh 19:30.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks רְחֹב as the seventh and final definite object of the list.
רְחֹֽבRehobproper noun · רְחֹב (H7340)Direct objectרְחֹב (H7340); an Asherite town, closing the longest single-tribe list of unconquered cities in the chapter — Asher's failure is the most extensive on record.
32
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב֙ הָאָ֣שֵׁרִ֔י בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּ֖י לֹ֥א הוֹרִישֽׁוֹ
So the Asherite dwelt in the midst of the Canaanite, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not dispossess them.
The chapter's sharpest single statement of reversal: the settlement-formula used throughout for surviving Canaanites (dwelling 'in the midst of' Israel) is here applied to Israel itself — Asher now lives in Canaan's midst, not Canaan in Israel's. The grammar performs the theological point.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב֙and dweltWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the grammar itself performs the reversalיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; here it is the ASHERITE who dwells 'in the midst of' the Canaanite — the chapter's recurring settlement-participle formula (used of Canaanites throughout) is inverted onto Israel itself, marking the sharpest statement yet of failed possession.
הָאָ֣שֵׁרִ֔יthe Asheriteart + gentilic N m sg abs · אָשֵׁרִי (H843)Subjectאָשֵׁרִי (H843) 'Asherite'; unusually, Israel's OWN tribe is now the one described in a phrase-pattern normally reserved for the surviving Canaanite population — Israel has become the minority presence.
בְּקֶ֥רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; in vv.29-30 it was the Canaanite dwelling 'in the midst of' Israel — here that grammar is exactly reversed, with the Canaanite as host population.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive (construct chain)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); now grammatically the host population, with Asher subordinated into their midst rather than the reverse.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (apposition to הַכְּנַעֲנִי)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the settlement-participle used one more time, now doubly emphasizing the Canaanite's status as the land's actual occupants.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land promised in v.2 as already 'given', now described as the Canaanite's own by right of continued residence.
כִּ֖יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the plain reason for the inversion just described.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁוֹ)לֹא (H3808); the flat negation that grounds the entire preceding description.
הוֹרִישֽׁוֹdid dispossess himHiphil perf 3ms/3ms suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated, causal clause)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; closes the verse by naming the root cause — non-dispossession — behind the striking grammatical inversion just described.
33
נַפְתָּלִ֗י לֹֽא הוֹרִ֞ישׁ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֤י בֵֽית שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ וְאֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֣י בֵית עֲנָ֔ת וַיֵּ֕שֶׁב בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤י בֵֽית שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ וּבֵ֣ית עֲנָ֔ת הָי֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם לָמַֽס
Naphtali did not dispossess the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt in the midst of the Canaanite, the inhabitants of the land; and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became forced labor for them.
Combines both threads of the catalogue in one verse: the grammatical inversion first stated for Asher (v.32) and the forced-labor outcome named generally in v.28 — Naphtali both lives among the Canaanite and profits from their subjugated labor.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
נַפְתָּלִ֗יNaphtaliproper noun · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Subjectנַפְתָּלִי (H5321); the next-to-last tribe in the catalogue, holding territory in upper Galilee.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of הוֹרִישׁ)לֹא (H3808); continues the descending catalogue's refrain.
הוֹרִ֞ישׁdid dispossessHiphil perf 3ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a failure stated as settled factיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to dispossess'; heads Naphtali's entry, now combining the coexistence formula with the forced-labor outcome in a single verse.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the 'inhabitants of Beth-shemesh' phrase as the first definite object.
יֹשְׁבֵ֤יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-participle, naming Beth-shemesh by its population.
בֵֽיתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (H1053)Genitive (construct chain, first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1053) 'house of'; first half of this Naphtalite Beth-shemesh ('house of the sun'), distinct from the better-known Judean city of the same name.
שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙-shemeshproper noun (second element) · בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (H1053)Genitive (construct chain, second element of compound name)שֶׁמֶשׁ (within H1053) 'sun'; second half, likely reflecting a solar cult site absorbed rather than removed.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ links; אֵת marks the 'inhabitants of Beth-anath' phrase as the second definite object.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (direct object)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; naming Beth-anath by its population, matching the pattern for Beth-shemesh.
בֵיתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית עֲנָת (H1043)Genitive (construct chain, first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1043) 'house of'; first half of Beth-anath.
עֲנָ֔ת-anathproper noun (second element) · בֵּית עֲנָת (H1043)Genitive (construct chain, second element of compound name)עֲנָת (within H1043); second half, likely referencing the Canaanite goddess Anath — another cultic name left standing.
וַיֵּ֕שֶׁבbut he dweltWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the inversion againיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; repeats the inversion of v.32 — Naphtali too ends up living in the Canaanite's midst rather than the reverse.
בְּקֶ֥רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; matching v.32's Asher formula exactly.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive (construct chain)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); again the host population, Naphtali the guest.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (apposition to הַכְּנַעֲנִי)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; reinforces the Canaanite's continued hold on the land, as in v.32.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the same durable phrase from v.32, extending the inversion to a second tribe.
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤יbut the inhabitants ofconj וְ + Qal ptc act m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (subject of the final clause)→ Participle: durative — those who remain settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; pivots back to naming the two cities directly as the ones who ultimately end up subjugated to labor rather than expelled.
בֵֽיתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (H1053)Genitive (construct chain, first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1053) 'house of'; repeated to identify the subjugated city.
שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙-shemeshproper noun (second element) · בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ (H1053)Genitive (construct chain, second element of compound name)שֶׁמֶשׁ (within H1053) 'sun'; repeated for the final naming of the subjugated city.
וּבֵ֣יתand Beth-conj וְ + proper noun (first element) · בֵּית עֲנָת (H1043)Genitive (construct chain, first element of compound name)בֵּית (within H1043) 'house of'; repeated to identify the second subjugated city.
עֲנָ֔ת-anathproper noun (second element) · בֵּית עֲנָת (H1043)Genitive (construct chain, second element of compound name)עֲנָת (within H1043); repeated for the final naming, closing the pair of subjugated cities.
הָי֥וּbecameQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed change of statusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the two cities' final status, closing the verse on the same forced-labor outcome as vv.28 and 30.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixIndirect object (beneficiary, referring to Naphtali)Preposition לְ with 3mp suffix, referring to Naphtali as the beneficiary of the forced labor.
לָמַֽסforced laborprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַס (H4522)Predicate complement (result)מַס (H4522) 'forced labor'; the same term as vv.28, 30, closing Naphtali's entry on the now-familiar note of exploitation rather than expulsion.
34
וַיִּלְחֲצ֧וּ הָאֱמֹרִ֛י אֶת בְּנֵי דָ֖ן הָהָ֑רָה כִּי לֹ֥א נְתָנ֖וֹ לָרֶ֥דֶת לָעֵֽמֶק
And the Amorites pressed the sons of Dan into the hill country, for they did not allow them to come down into the valley.
The descending register reaches its low point: the Amorite is now the active aggressor (לָחַץ, 'pressed'), and Dan is denied the valley entirely rather than merely failing to expel its inhabitants — grammar and geography together depict Israel being pushed backward, not merely stalled.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּלְחֲצ֧וּand pressedWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָחַץ (H3905)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the sharpest reversal of the chapterלָחַץ (H3905) 'to press, oppress'; here the Amorite becomes the active aggressor, and Dan the object being forced backward — the chapter's worst-case reversal, where Israel is not merely coexisting but being actively subdued.
הָאֱמֹרִ֛יthe Amoriteart + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Subjectאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; here, uniquely in this chapter, the active aggressor rather than merely a surviving population — the grammatical subject of an offensive verb against Israel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בְּנֵי דָן as the definite object pressed back.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (direct object)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Dan' as the object of the Amorite's pressure — the tribe on the receiving end of the chapter's worst military setback.
דָ֖ןDanproper noun · דָּן (H1835)Genitive (construct chain)דָּן (H1835); the tribe whose allotted lowland territory is entirely denied them here, forcing the migration narrated later in Judges 18.
הָהָ֑רָהinto the hill countryart + N m sg abs + directional הָ · הַר (H2022)Adverbial accusative (goal of motion, directional)הַר (H2022) 'hill country'; with directional suffix, 'to/into the hill country' — Dan is forced UP and AWAY from their lowland inheritance, the reverse of every other tribe's movement in this chapter.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal subordinating conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the concrete reason for the retreat, echoing the causal structure of v.19.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of נְתָנוֹ)לֹא (H3808); negates the following verb, stating the Amorite's denial of access plainly.
נְתָנ֖וֹhe did allow himQal perf 3ms/3ms suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (causal clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): a settled denial of accessנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, allow'; the same verb used for YHWH's gift of the land in v.2, here ironically negated — the Amorite, not YHWH, controls the land's access.
לָרֶ֥דֶתto go downprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַד (H3381)Complementary infinitive construct→ Infinitive construct: complement, denied actionיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; the same verb used positively for Judah's campaign in v.9, here denied entirely to Dan.
לָעֵֽמֶקinto the valleyprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · עֵמֶק (H6010)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal of motion, denied)עֵמֶק (H6010) 'valley'; the same term as v.19's iron-chariot valley — Dan is denied the very lowland that Judah at least could not fully take, but Dan cannot even attempt.
35
וַיּ֤וֹאֶל הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת בְּהַר חֶ֔רֶס בְּאַיָּל֖וֹן וּבְשַֽׁעַלְבִ֑ים וַתִּכְבַּד֙ יַ֣ד בֵּית יוֹסֵ֔ף וַיִּהְי֖וּ לָמַֽס
And the Amorite persisted in dwelling in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim; but the hand of the house of Joseph grew heavy, and they became forced labor.
Joseph's intervention checks the Amorite's advance from v.34 but still ends in the chapter's characteristic outcome — subjugation to labor rather than expulsion — showing that even Israel's successes in this final section stop short of full obedience.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיּ֤וֹאֶלand persistedWaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָאַל (H2974)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — determined persistenceיָאַל (H2974) 'to be determined, persist'; the same verb used of the Canaanite in v.27, now applied to the Amorite pressing against Dan — active resolve, not passive survival.
הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙the Amoriteart + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Subjectאֱמֹרִי (H567); continuing as the chapter's most aggressive surviving population, now named at three specific sites.
לָשֶׁ֣בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Complementary infinitive construct (with וַיּוֹאֶל)→ Infinitive construct: complement of יָאַל, expressing sustained actionיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; the recurring settlement-root, matching v.27's exact construction.
בְּהַרon Mountprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct governing חֶרֶס, the first of three Amorite strongholds.
חֶ֔רֶסHeresproper noun · חֶרֶס (H2776)Genitive (construct chain)חֶרֶס (H2776) 'sun'; Mount Heres, near Aijalon, held by the Amorites against Dan.
בְּאַיָּל֖וֹןin Aijalonprep בְּ + proper noun · אַיָּלוֹן (H357)Locative prepositional phraseאַיָּלוֹן (H357); a Danite-allotted town, held instead by the Amorite — later the site of Joshua's famous sun-standing-still battle (Josh 10:12), now lost ground.
וּבְשַֽׁעַלְבִ֑יםand in Shaalbimconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · שַׁעַלְבִים (H8169)Locative prepositional phrase (coordinate)שַׁעַלְבִים (H8169); third of the three Amorite-held sites, completing Dan's list of denied territory (cf. 1 Kgs 4:9).
וַתִּכְבַּד֙but grew heavyWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · כָּבַד (H3513)Predicate verb (main clause, adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a turn back toward Israelite advantageכָּבַד (H3513) 'to be heavy, weighty'; idiom 'the hand grew heavy' = grew strong/oppressive, offering a partial, later reversal of Dan's fortunes through Joseph's intervention.
יַ֣דthe hand ofN c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Construct chain (subject)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic for power/military might, construct governing בֵּית יוֹסֵף.
בֵּיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (genitive)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct, 'house of Joseph' intervenes on Dan's behalf, echoing their own campaign in vv.22-26.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive (construct chain)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the tribe whose strength eventually presses back against the Amorite, though the outcome (forced labor) still falls short of dispossession.
וַיִּהְי֖וּand they becameWaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the final settlement, still short of full dispossessionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; even after Joseph's intervention, the outcome is subjugation to labor, not expulsion — the pattern of vv.28, 30, 33 holds even in this partial recovery.
לָמַֽסforced laborprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַס (H4522)Predicate complement (result)מַס (H4522) 'forced labor'; the chapter's recurring term, closing even this partial victory on the same note as every other tribal entry.
36
וּגְבוּל֙ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה עַקְרַבִּ֑ים מֵהַסֶּ֖לַע וָמָֽעְלָה
And the border of the Amorite was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from Sela and upward.
The chapter's final verse traces the enemy's border, not Israel's — a deliberate closing image. Rather than ending on possession secured, Judges 1 ends by mapping how much of the land still belongs, geographically and grammatically, to someone else.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וּגְבוּל֙and the border ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Construct chain (subject)גְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; the chapter's final subject is not Israel's inheritance but the enemy's — a geographic notice mapping the Amorite's continued domain.
הָאֱמֹרִ֔יthe Amoriteart + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive (construct chain)אֱמֹרִי (H567); the enemy population, closing the chapter with their border rather than Israel's — the book ends on the map of what Israel has NOT secured.
מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖הfrom the ascent ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · מַעֲלֶה (H4610)Construct chain (locative)מַעֲלֶה (H4610) 'ascent, pass'; construct governing עַקְרַבִּים, marking the southern boundary point.
עַקְרַבִּ֑יםAkrabbimproper noun · עַקְרַבִּים (H4610)Genitive (construct chain)עַקְרַבִּים (H4610) 'scorpions'; the Ascent of Akrabbim, a well-known boundary marker southwest of the Dead Sea (cf. Num 34:4; Josh 15:3).
מֵהַסֶּ֖לַעfrom Selaprep מִן + art + proper noun · סֶלַע (H5553)Locative prepositional phraseסֶלַע (H5553) 'rock, crag'; possibly a place name (later associated with Edom/Petra) or simply 'the rock', marking a further boundary point.
וָמָֽעְלָהand upwardconj וְ + adverb + directional הָ · מַעְלָה (H4605)Adverbial phrase (directional, closing the boundary description)מַעְלָה (H4605) 'upward'; the chapter's final word maps open-ended enemy territory rather than closing on a note of settled Israelite possession — the book's first chapter ends, fittingly, on the border of unfinished business.