Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Partly Taken and Burned by Judah

◄ Jerusalem: Partly Taken and Burned by Judah ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Jerusalem, a city of profound historical and theological significance, is central to biblical narratives and prophecies. One notable event in its storied past is its partial conquest and burning by the tribe of Judah, as recorded in the Book of Judges.

Biblical Account

The event is chronicled in Judges 1:8, which states: "Then the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire." . This passage highlights a period during the early conquest of Canaan when the tribes of Israel were establishing their presence in the Promised Land. The capture and burning of Jerusalem by Judah occurred after the death of Joshua, during a time when the Israelites were consolidating their territorial claims.

Historical Context

Jerusalem, at this time, was a Jebusite city. The Jebusites were one of the Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land prior to Israelite settlement. The partial conquest by Judah did not result in a complete occupation, as the Jebusites continued to inhabit the city until the time of King David. This incomplete conquest is indicative of the broader challenges faced by the Israelites in fully subduing the land, as many Canaanite strongholds remained resilient.

Theological Significance

The partial conquest and burning of Jerusalem by Judah can be seen as a foreshadowing of the city's future centrality in Israel's history. Although initially only partially taken, Jerusalem would later become the political and spiritual heart of the nation under King David, who fully captured the city and established it as the capital of Israel (2 Samuel 5:6-9).

This event also underscores the theme of divine judgment and mercy. The burning of the city symbolizes God's judgment against the Canaanite peoples for their idolatry and wickedness, as foretold in the covenantal promises to Abraham and reiterated in the Mosaic Law. Yet, the incomplete conquest serves as a reminder of Israel's own need for faithfulness and reliance on God to fully realize His promises.

Archaeological Insights

Archaeological evidence from the ancient city of Jerusalem provides some corroboration of its tumultuous history during this period. Excavations have revealed layers of destruction that align with the biblical narrative of conquest and conflict. These findings offer a tangible connection to the biblical account, illustrating the historical reality of the events described in Scripture.

Legacy and Reflection

The partial conquest and burning of Jerusalem by Judah is a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the city's future significance. It reflects the complex interplay of divine providence, human agency, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the history of Israel. As such, it remains a topic of enduring interest and reflection for students of the Bible and history alike.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 1:8
Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... Jeremiah remained till the city was taken.(603) He ... of mere echoes of Jeremiah and
partly of promises ... and Israel and of their forgiveness; Jerusalem shall again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

Ezekiel
... that task is partly to reprove, partly to warn ... himself thereto, announcing the siege
of Jerusalem and the ... over the princes of Judah"Jehoahaz taken captive to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... vigor; and at length Jerusalem was taken by storm at ... force to complete the desolation
of Judah and Jerusalem. ... of brass, legs of iron, and toes partly iron and ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Egypt
... A rival temple to that of Jerusalem was built at Onion near ... be distinguished from
the slaves, who were partly , partly captives taken in war. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Kings
... which believed in the exclusive rights of Jerusalem, the altar on ... of these books
may be inferred, partly from the ... Taken as a whole, it has a certain melancholy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/kings.htm

Altar and Temple
... journey across the desert must have taken some months ... The ruined Jerusalem was better
guarded by that altar ... But partly remembrance and partly hearsay made the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

The Israelites
... of the country in which he had taken refuge; and ... the polygamy in which he had indulged,
partly in the ... Palaces were built at Jerusalem in imitation of those of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Christ Our Passover
... this lamb, chosen to be offered, was taken away from ... alone by itself, for two reasons:
partly that by ... Christ rode in triumph through the streets of Jerusalem. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

On the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead; He Ascended into ...
... reason why the Apostles still remain in Jerusalem, instead of ... they were told to count
the fishes - partly, also, to show the reality of what had taken place ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii on the third.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... afterwards it is "partly strong and partly broken" (ver ... the psalmist says: "Mine
iniquities have taken hold upon ... to go up year by year to worship at Jerusalem? ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm