And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.

JUDGES 1:22KJV
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Judges 1:22 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:22 mean?

Judges 1:22 describes how the descendants of Joseph also set out to attack the city of Bethel, and the verse notes that the LORD was with them as they did so. This highlights that their efforts had God's support, which was seen as crucial for success in these battles.

In the setting of Judges 1, different Israelite tribes are taking possession of the land of Canaan after Joshua's leadership. The "house of Joseph" refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Joseph. The verse emphasizes that their campaign against Bethel was not just a military action but was carried out with the LORD's presence and help, marking it as significant among the tribal conquests.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:22

  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This word is often used for a family line or clan, not just a physical house. Here, "house of Joseph" means all the descendants or tribe members connected to Joseph.
  • "Joseph" (יוֹסֵף, Yosef): This refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, not just the individual patriarch. Mentioning Joseph connects this action to the larger story of Israel's tribes.
  • "up" (עָלָה, ‘alah): The Hebrew word often means to ascend or go up, which can be both literal (Bethel was on higher ground) and symbolic (going up to a significant place).
  • "Bethel" (בֵּית־אֵל, Beit-El): The name means "house of God." Bethel was an important city in Israel's history, and its capture had spiritual as well as strategic significance.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel's God, emphasizing that the success of the house of Joseph was due to God's direct involvement.

Why Judges 1:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the conquest of Bethel was not just a human effort but was marked by God's active presence, setting it apart from other battles where God's support is not mentioned.
  • By naming the "house of Joseph," the verse links this event to the broader story of Israel's tribal inheritance and God's promises to Joseph's descendants.
  • The mention of Bethel, a city with spiritual history for Israel, hints at the deeper significance of its capture beyond just military victory.