Why did Judah burn Jerusalem and yet Jebusites still lived there later?

Judah first fought against Jerusalem, took it, killed many people, and set the city on fire. That shows a strong early victory. Later in the same passage we read that the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem, and that the Jebusites lived with them there “unto this day.” This suggests that, after an early conquest and burning, the city was not fully cleared or kept under control. Some of the original people remained or returned, so the victory was only partial and not kept up over time.

Who are Caleb, Othniel, and Achsah, and what happens with the springs of water?

Caleb is an older, faithful leader who had been promised Hebron. Othniel is his younger kinsman who wins a battle for Debir and is given Achsah, Caleb’s daughter, as his wife. When Achsah comes to Othniel, she urges him to ask her father for a field, then she herself asks Caleb for more than dry land. She asks for “a blessing” in the form of springs of water. Caleb gladly gives her both the upper and lower springs, showing generosity and how a daughter could wisely seek needed provision.

What does it mean that the Lord was with Judah but they could not drive out those with iron chariots?

The passage clearly says the Lord was with Judah and that He drove out the inhabitants of the mountain. Yet it also says they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley because those enemies had iron chariots. This shows how fear of outward strength got in the way of full trust. God had already helped them win hard battles, but when they saw powerful weapons, they stopped short. It reminds us that God’s help is real, but His people can still hold back when they look more at danger than at His promise.

Why is the man from Bethel (Luz) spared, and what is the point of that story?

The house of Joseph sends spies to check out Bethel. They see a man coming out of the city and ask him to show them the entrance, promising to show him mercy in return. He does so, and they attack the city but let him and his family go. He later goes to the land of the Hittites, builds a new city, and calls it Luz. This shows that, even in judgment, there could be mercy for someone who helps God’s people. It also explains how the name Luz continued in another place.

What does this passage show about partial obedience and its results?

In these verses, some cities are taken and even destroyed, like Zephath, which is renamed Hormah. God is said to be with Judah and with the house of Joseph, and Caleb fully drives out the sons of Anak. But other enemies remain. Judah does not remove those in the valleys with iron chariots, and Benjamin does not drive out the Jebusites in Jerusalem. The story shows a mix of faith and fear. Victories come when they trust and act, but leaving enemies in place leads to ongoing trouble in the land.

Who are the Kenites in this passage, and why are they mentioned?

The Kenites are related to Moses’ father‑in‑law. In this passage they go up from the “city of palm trees” with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah in the south of Arad and settle among the people. They are not native Canaanites but a group that chooses to live with Judah’s tribe. Their mention shows that not only Israelites were in the land. Some outside groups joined themselves to God’s people and shared in their journey and territory, hinting that others could live among Israel when they aligned with them.

What is the significance of Caleb receiving Hebron and driving out the sons of Anak?

Hebron is given to Caleb, just as had been promised earlier. The passage says he expelled the three sons of Anak from there. These figures were known as strong and fearful opponents. Caleb receiving Hebron and pushing them out highlights his steady trust in God. While some tribes hesitated before iron chariots or left enemies in place, Caleb follows through and takes what was promised. It shows that God keeps His word to those who keep trusting Him, even when enemies look strong.

How does the alliance between Judah and Simeon shape the events in this passage?

Judah does not fight alone. Earlier they had asked Simeon to go with them, and here we see them together attacking more cities, like Zephath, which they “utterly destroyed” and renamed Hormah. This partnership pictures the tribes helping each other take their God‑given land. While there are failures in other parts of the chapter, the work of Judah and Simeon together shows what can happen when God’s people stand side by side, sharing both the effort and the results of obedience.

Why is this passage sometimes seen as difficult to understand in terms of victory and failure?

At first glance, the story can feel mixed. On one hand, the Lord is clearly said to be with Judah and with the house of Joseph, and there are strong wins like the burning of Jerusalem, the taking of Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron, and Caleb’s success at Hebron. On the other hand, we read that Judah “could not” drive out some enemies and that Benjamin did not remove the Jebusites. Faithful readers have seen this as a picture of how God truly helps, yet His people may still stop short, leading to incomplete results.

Judg.1.8

Judges 1:8

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Chapter:

Context:

The Capture of Jerusalem and Hebron

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.

¶ And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.

And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.

And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher:

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?

And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

¶ And the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.

And the Lord was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.

And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

¶ And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Beth-el: and the Lord was with them.

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Beth-el. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)

And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.