And the man went to the land of the Hittites, built a city, and called it Luz, which is its name to this day. And the man wentThis phrase indicates a deliberate action taken by the man who had been spared by the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "went" is "yalak," which often implies a purposeful journey or mission. In the context of Judges, this action signifies a turning point, as the man leaves his current circumstances to establish a new beginning. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God using individuals' choices to fulfill His divine purposes, even when those choices seem to diverge from His people's immediate goals. to the land of the Hittites
The Hittites were an ancient people known for their powerful empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The mention of the Hittites here suggests a significant geographical and cultural shift. Historically, the Hittites were known for their advanced civilization and influence in the ancient Near East. This reference highlights the interconnectedness of ancient peoples and the spread of cultures and ideas. It also underscores the biblical narrative of God's sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel. where he built a city
Building a city signifies establishing a permanent settlement and creating a legacy. The Hebrew word for "built" is "banah," which conveys the idea of constructing something lasting and significant. In biblical times, cities were centers of culture, commerce, and security. This act of building a city reflects the man's desire to create a new identity and community, which aligns with the biblical theme of restoration and new beginnings. and called it Luz
Naming a city was an act of authority and identity. The name "Luz" is significant because it connects to the earlier biblical narrative in Genesis, where Jacob named a place Luz before renaming it Bethel after his encounter with God. The preservation of the name Luz suggests continuity and remembrance of past events. It serves as a reminder of God's ongoing presence and the fulfillment of His promises throughout history. which is its name to this day
This phrase emphasizes the enduring nature of the city's name and existence. The use of "to this day" is a common biblical expression that underscores the historical reliability and continuity of the biblical narrative. It serves as a testament to the lasting impact of the man's actions and God's providence in preserving the memory of events and places. This enduring legacy is a reminder of the eternal nature of God's plans and the importance of faithfulness across generations. Persons / Places / Events 1. The ManAn unnamed individual who was spared by the Israelites after revealing the entrance to the city of Bethel. His actions led to the establishment of a new city. 2. The Land of the HittitesA region inhabited by the Hittites, an ancient group known for their powerful empire in Anatolia. This is where the man relocated to build a new city. 3. LuzThe name of the city built by the man in the land of the Hittites. It shares its name with the original city of Luz, which was renamed Bethel by Jacob. 4. BethelOriginally called Luz, this city was significant in Israelite history, especially in the accounts of Jacob and the conquest of Canaan. 5. The IsraelitesThe people of God who were in the process of conquering the Promised Land, including the city of Bethel. Teaching Points The Consequences of MercyThe Israelites showed mercy to the man who revealed the entrance to Bethel. This act of mercy led to the establishment of a new city, Luz, in the land of the Hittites. It reminds us of the potential long-term impact of our decisions to show mercy or judgment. The Spread of InfluenceThe man’s relocation and establishment of a new city demonstrate how individuals can carry cultural and spiritual influences to new places. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light, spreading the influence of Christ wherever we go. The Importance of NamesThe naming of places in the Bible often carries significant meaning. Luz, both the original and the new city, serves as a reminder of the continuity and change in God's plan. Names can reflect identity and purpose, both in biblical times and today. God’s Sovereignty in Human AffairsThe account of the man and the city of Luz illustrates how God’s plans unfold through human actions, even those that seem insignificant. It encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty in our own lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from the unnamed man's decision to build a new city in the land of the Hittites, and how does this reflect on our own decisions to start anew in different circumstances? 2. How does the account of Luz and Bethel illustrate the importance of names and identity in the Bible, and how can this understanding impact our view of our own identity in Christ? 3. In what ways does the mercy shown by the Israelites to the man who revealed Bethel's entrance challenge us to consider how we show mercy in our own lives? 4. How does the spread of influence by the man who built Luz relate to Jesus' teaching about being salt and light in the world, and what practical steps can we take to live this out? 5. Reflect on a time when you saw God’s sovereignty at work in your life through seemingly small or insignificant events. How does this account encourage you to trust in God’s plan? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:19This verse describes Jacob renaming the original city of Luz to Bethel after his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven. It highlights the spiritual significance of Bethel in Israel's history. Joshua 16:2This passage mentions the border of the tribe of Ephraim passing by Luz, indicating its geographical and tribal importance. Judges 1:22-25These verses provide context for Judges 1:26, detailing the capture of Bethel and the role of the unnamed man in revealing the city's entrance. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Buildeth, Building, Built, Calleth, Hittites, Luz, Named, Naming, Thereof, TownDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:26 5240 building Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:26 NIVJudges 1:26 NLTJudges 1:26 ESVJudges 1:26 NASBJudges 1:26 KJV
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