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

JUDGES 1:10KJV
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Judges 1:10 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:10 mean?

Judges 1:10 describes how the tribe of Judah attacked the Canaanites living in Hebron, a city that was previously called Kirjatharba, and killed three men named Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. This verse records a specific military victory as the Israelites began to take possession of the land.

The book of Judges is recounting the early efforts of the Israelites, specifically the tribe of Judah, to conquer the land of Canaan after entering it. The verse gives historical details: Hebron’s older name, Kirjatharba, and the defeat of three local leaders or warriors. This sets the stage for the ongoing struggles and gradual settlement of the Israelites in the promised land.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:10

  • קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Qiryath-Arba, Kirjatharba): This name means "City of Arba," referring to an earlier name for Hebron. Mentioning both names highlights the continuity and change as the Israelites take over established Canaanite cities.
  • הִכּוּ (hikku, slew): This word means "struck" or "killed," emphasizing the decisive and violent nature of Judah’s victory over the three named men. It signals a complete defeat rather than just a skirmish.

Why Judges 1:10 matters

  • Judges 1:10 clarifies that the conquest of Canaan was not immediate or total but happened city by city, leader by leader, showing the challenges the Israelites faced.
  • The verse connects to earlier promises about Hebron, a city with deep roots in Israel’s history, including Abraham’s time, making this victory significant for the tribe of Judah.
  • By naming Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the verse gives a sense of real, local opposition and shows that the conquest involved overcoming specific, powerful figures, not just nameless enemies.

Where else these words appear

“Sheshai” Hebrew H8344 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were.(Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
  • Joshua 15:14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

“Ahiman” Hebrew H289 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were.(Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
  • Joshua 15:14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:17 And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;

“Talmai” Hebrew H8526 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were.(Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
  • Joshua 15:14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
  • 2 Samuel 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

“Kirjatharba” Hebrew H7153 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 23:2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
  • Joshua 14:15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
  • Joshua 20:7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.