Judges 1:21 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:21 mean?

Judges 1:21 explains that the tribe of Benjamin did not remove the Jebusite people from Jerusalem, so the Jebusites continued to live there alongside the Benjaminites up to the time this account was written. This verse highlights a failure by one of the Israelite tribes to fully take control of the land as they had been instructed.

The setting is early in the history of Israel’s settlement in Canaan, after Joshua’s leadership. The book of Judges is describing how each tribe handled their assigned territory. Here, the focus is on the tribe of Benjamin and their inability or unwillingness to drive out the Jebusites, who were the original inhabitants of Jerusalem. The verse notes that this situation persisted for a long time, showing an incomplete conquest.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:21

• "Drive out" (יָרַשׁ, yarash) means to dispossess or remove, often used for taking land from its current inhabitants. The use of this word emphasizes that Benjamin was expected to fully remove the Jebusites, not just coexist with them.
• "Dwell" (יָשַׁב, yashav) means to live or settle. The verse uses this word to show that the Jebusites continued to have a real presence in Jerusalem, not just as visitors or outsiders.
• "Unto this day" (יֹום, yom) signals that the situation lasted for a significant period, possibly even until the time the book was written, underlining the ongoing nature of this incomplete conquest.

Why Judges 1:21 matters

• This verse clarifies that the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites was not always complete or immediate, even in key locations like Jerusalem.
• It highlights a recurring theme in Judges: the Israelites’ partial obedience and the long-term consequences of not fully following their instructions.
• The mention of the Jebusites still living in Jerusalem sets the stage for later events in Israel’s history, including King David’s eventual capture of the city.