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

JUDGES 1:23KJV
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Judges 1:23 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:23 mean?

Judges 1:23 describes how the descendants of Joseph sent men to scout out the city of Bethel, which was previously known as Luz. This verse notes both the action of investigating the city and the historical detail about its earlier name.

In the context of the book of Judges, the "house of Joseph" refers to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who are seeking to conquer territory in the land of Canaan after Joshua's leadership. The verse highlights their strategy of sending scouts ("to descry") before attacking, and it also preserves the memory that Bethel was once called Luz, which helps readers connect earlier stories in Genesis to the events happening here.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:23

  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayith): This word refers to a household or family group, and here it means the tribal descendants of Joseph, not just a single family dwelling.
  • "descry" (תָּר, tar): This Hebrew word means to spy out or scout, showing that the action was a careful investigation, not just a casual visit.
  • "Bethel" (בֵּית־אֵל, Bethel): The name means "house of God," and its mention alongside the old name "Luz" connects this city to earlier biblical history.
  • "Luz" (לוּז, Luz): The verse notes the city's previous name, reminding readers of its significance in earlier stories, such as Jacob's encounter with God in Genesis.

Why Judges 1:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Bethel and Luz are the same place, which helps readers track the continuity of biblical events and locations.
  • The mention of scouting shows that the conquest of Canaan involved planning and intelligence, not just brute force.
  • Connecting the house of Joseph to this action ties the story to the larger narrative of Israel's settlement in the land, showing the ongoing fulfillment of God's promises to the tribes.

Where else these words appear

“Luz” Hebrew H3870 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
  • Genesis 48:3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,
  • Joshua 18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar, near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.

“descry” Hebrew H8446 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
  • Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.

“BethelNow” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.