Tribe of Judah: At Bezek
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The Tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Known for its leadership and prominence, Judah was the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended. The tribe's early exploits in the Promised Land are recorded in the Book of Judges, where they played a pivotal role in the conquest of Canaan.

Bezek: A Key Battle Site

Bezek is mentioned in the context of the Tribe of Judah's military campaigns during the period of the Judges. After the death of Joshua, the Israelites sought guidance from the Lord on who should lead the charge against the Canaanites. The Lord designated the Tribe of Judah to go first. Judges 1:1-2 states, "After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, 'Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?' The LORD answered, 'Judah shall go up. Indeed, I have delivered the land into their hands.'"

In obedience to God's command, the men of Judah set out to conquer the land. They were joined by the tribe of Simeon, their brother tribe, as they embarked on this mission. The first significant battle recorded in this campaign took place at Bezek. Judges 1:4-5 recounts, "When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. And there they found Adoni-Bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites."

Adoni-Bezek: The Defeated King

Adoni-Bezek, the king of Bezek, is a notable figure in this narrative. Known for his cruelty, he had previously subdued seventy kings, mutilating them by cutting off their thumbs and big toes, forcing them to scavenge under his table. However, his own downfall came at the hands of the Israelites. Judges 1:6-7 describes his capture and punishment: "As Adoni-Bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Then Adoni-Bezek said, 'Seventy kings with their thumbs and 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, where he died."

Significance of the Battle at Bezek

The victory at Bezek was a testament to the Lord's faithfulness in delivering the enemies of Israel into their hands. It demonstrated the power and leadership of the Tribe of Judah, setting the stage for their continued dominance in the region. This battle also served as a moral lesson on divine justice, as seen in the fate of Adoni-Bezek, who recognized the retributive justice of God in his own punishment.

The account of Judah at Bezek highlights the tribe's role as a leader among the Israelites, fulfilling God's command to take possession of the land He had promised to their ancestors. This event is a precursor to the establishment of Judah's preeminence, which would later culminate in the Davidic dynasty and the birth of the Messiah.
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1 Samuel 11:8
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
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2 Samuel 24:9
And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people to the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
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Library

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... that had been tributary to the tribe of Judah should be slain, they should do the
like for the tribe of Simeon. ... with a great army at the city Bezek, having put ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory ...
... And the multitude were numbered at the city Bezek. And he found the number of those
that were gathered together, besides that of the tribe of Judah, to be ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 sauls expedition against.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... through the wilderness southwestward to the heart of Judah. The frontier town of
Bezek, mentioned in the ancient ... The little tribe of the Danites, finding the ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... against a common foe, for we know that the people of Judah aided the tribe of Simeon ...
It is related, however, that they overthrew Adoni-bezek, King of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Resources
Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Rehoboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Judah

Judah At Upon the Jordan

Judah: A Benjamite

Judah: A Prince or Priest Who Assisted in the Dedication of the Walls of Jerusalem

Judah: Intercedes for Joseph's Life when his Brothers Were About to Kill Him

Judah: Name of Two Exiled Priests

Judah: Son of Jacob

Judah: Son of Jacob: Goes Down Into Egypt for Corn (Grain)

Judah: Son of Jacob: His Incest With his Daughter-In-Law

Judah: Son of Jacob: Lives at Chezib

Judah: Son of Jacob: Prophetic Benediction of his Father Upon

Judah: Son of Jacob: Takes Two Wives

Judah: Son of Jacob: The Ancestor of Jesus

the Tribe of Judah with Benjamin Alone, Adhered to the House of David

the Tribe of Judah: After Saul's Rebellion Appointed to Furnish Kings to Israel

the Tribe of Judah: Aided Saul in his Wars

the Tribe of Judah: Bounds of Inheritance

the Tribe of Judah: Descended from Jacob's Fourth Son

the Tribe of Judah: Encamped With Its Standard East of the Tabernacle

the Tribe of Judah: Families of

the Tribe of Judah: First and Most Vigorous in Driving out the Canaanites

the Tribe of Judah: Furnished to Israel the First Judge

the Tribe of Judah: Led the First Division of Israel in Their Journeys

the Tribe of Judah: Offering of, at Dedication

the Tribe of Judah: Officer Placed Over by David

the Tribe of Judah: On Gerizim Said Amen to the Blessings

the Tribe of Judah: Other Tribes Jealous of, on Account of David

the Tribe of Judah: out Lord Sprang From

the Tribe of Judah: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land

the Tribe of Judah: Persons Selected From: To Number the People

the Tribe of Judah: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land

the Tribe of Judah: Predictions Respecting

the Tribe of Judah: Reigned Over Alone by David Seven Years and a Half

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Absalom

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Achan

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Adonijah

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Bezaleel

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Boaz

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Caleb

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of David

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Elhanan

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Elihu

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Elimelech

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Jesse

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Jonathan

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Kings of Judah (See 1st and 2nd Books of Kings)

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Nahshon

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Obed

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Pethahiah

the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Solomon

the Tribe of Judah: Reproved for Tardiness in Bringing Back David After Absalom's

the Tribe of Judah: Strength of on Entering Canaan

the Tribe of Judah: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt

the Tribe of Judah: The First to Submit to David

the Tribe of Judah: The Last Tribe Carried Into Captivity

the Tribe of Judah: Went First Against Gibeah

Tribe of Judah by Whom Commanded

Tribe of Judah is Accorded the Birthright Forfeited by Reuben

Tribe of Judah: Accused by the Other Tribes of Stealing the Heart of David

Tribe of Judah: At Bezek

Tribe of Judah: At Sinai

Tribe of Judah: Commissioned by God to Lead in the Conquest of the Promised Land

Tribe of Judah: Inheritance of

Tribe of Judah: Loyal to David at the Time of the Insurrection Led by Sheba

Tribe of Judah: Loyal to the House of David at the Time of the Revolt of the Ten Tribes

Tribe of Judah: Make David King

Tribe of Judah: Moses' Benediction Upon

Tribe of Judah: On the Plain of Moab

Tribe of Judah: Place of, in Encampments and the March

Tribe of Judah: Prophecies Concerning

Tribe of Judah: Rebuked by David for Lukewarmness Toward Him After Absalom's Defeat

Related Terms

12000 (7 Occurrences)

Allotted (54 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kenites (8 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Bezer (5 Occurrences)

Sealed (31 Occurrences)

Pasturelands (42 Occurrences)

Reubenites (37 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Mentioned (30 Occurrences)

Pagiel (5 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)

Ramoth (30 Occurrences)

Asher (43 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Kohath's (3 Occurrences)

Deuel (5 Occurrences)

Bezalel (10 Occurrences)

Ammihud (10 Occurrences)

Ahihud (2 Occurrences)

Ancestral (14 Occurrences)

Ahira (5 Occurrences)

Pasture (120 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Magi (4 Occurrences)

Cleave (52 Occurrences)

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)

Abdon (8 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Zurishaddai (5 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Eliab (20 Occurrences)

Danite (7 Occurrences)

Designated (22 Occurrences)

Merar'ites (3 Occurrences)

Manas'sites (10 Occurrences)

Midianite (11 Occurrences)

Bezaleel (9 Occurrences)

Bashan (54 Occurrences)

Abidan (5 Occurrences)

Aholiab (5 Occurrences)

Amalekite (12 Occurrences)

Anna (1 Occurrence)

Ahisamach (3 Occurrences)

Amalek (35 Occurrences)

Simeonites (10 Occurrences)

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)

Caleb (39 Occurrences)

Marry (48 Occurrences)

Eastward (72 Occurrences)

Assigned (64 Occurrences)

Simeon (48 Occurrences)

Selection (71 Occurrences)

Marriage (74 Occurrences)

Zuar (5 Occurrences)

Kartah (2 Occurrences)

Encamping (24 Occurrences)

Eliasaph (6 Occurrences)

Daberath (3 Occurrences)

Danites (15 Occurrences)

Dumah (4 Occurrences)

Midian (60 Occurrences)

Manassites (7 Occurrences)

Midianites (30 Occurrences)

Massa (4 Occurrences)

Plateau (13 Occurrences)

Pedahzur (5 Occurrences)

Benjamite (15 Occurrences)

Bez'alel (9 Occurrences)

Apportion (19 Occurrences)

Azriel (3 Occurrences)

Ashurites (2 Occurrences)

Ahis'amach (3 Occurrences)

Tribe of Judah: Accused by the Other Tribes of Stealing the Heart of David
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