Judges 1 · Verse 8

Judges 1:8

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.
Judges 1:8, King James Version

Judges 1:8 in other translations

BSBThen the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire.
WEBThe children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, took it, struck it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
ASVAnd the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
YLTAnd the sons of Judah fight against Jerusalem, and capture it, and smite it by the mouth of the sword, and the city they have sent into fire;
DARBYAnd the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
BBEThen the children of Judah made an attack on Jerusalem, and took it, burning down the town after they had put its people to the sword without mercy.
Webster(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.)

What does Judges 1:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it--The capture of this important city, which ranks among the early incidents in the war of invasion (Jos 15:63), is here noticed to account for its being in the possession of the Judahites; and they brought Adoni-bezek thither [Jud 1:7], in order, probably, that his fate being rendered so public, might inspire terror far and wide. Similar inroads were made into the other unconquered parts of Judah's inheritance [Jud 1:9-11]. The story of Caleb's acquisition of Hebron is here repeated (Jos 15:16-19). [See on Jos 15:16.]

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 Had fought against Jerusalem - We read this verse in a parenthesis, because we suppose that it refers to the taking of this city by Joshua; for as he had conquered its armies and slew its king, Jos 10:26, it is probable that he took the city: yet we find that the Jebusites still dwelt in it, Jos 15:63; and that the men of Judah could not drive them out, which probably refers to the strong hold or fortress on Mount Zion, which the Jebusites held till the days of David, who took it, and totally destroyed the Jebusites. See 2Sam 5:6-9, and 1Chr 11:4-8. It is possible that the Jebusites who had been discomfited by Joshua, had again become sufficiently strong to possess themselves of Jerusalem; and that they were now defeated, and the city itself set on fire: but that they still were able to keep possession of their strong fort on Mount Zion, which appears to have been the citadel of Jerusalem.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Judges 1:1-8

The Israelites were convinced that the war against the Canaanites was to be continued; but they were in doubt as to the manner in which it was to be carried on after the death of Joshua. In these respects they inquired of the Lord. God appoints service according to the strength he has given. From those who are most able, most work is expected. Judah was first in dignity, and must be first in duty. Judah's service…

Read the full comment on Judges 1:1-8 →

Judges 1:8 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיִּלָּחֲמ֤וּvai.yi.la.cha.Muand they foughtH3898
בְנֵֽי\־ve.nei-[the] descendants ofH1121
יְהוּדָה֙ye.hu.DahJudahH3063
בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םbi.Ru.sha.Limagainst JerusalemH3389
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּvai.yil.ke.Duand they capturedH3920
אוֹתָ֔הּ'o.Tah<obj.> itH853
וַיַּכּ֖וּהָvai.ya.Ku.haand they struck itH5221
לְפִי\־le.fi-to [the] mouth ofH6310
חָ֑רֶבCha.rev[the] swordH2719
וְאֶת\־ve.'Etand <obj.>H853
הָעִ֖ירha.'Irthe cityH5892
שִׁלְּח֥וּshi.le.Chuthey sentH7971
בָאֵֽשׁ\׃va.'Eshin <the> fireH784

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Judges 1:8

  • Joshua 15:63

    As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

  • Judges 1:21

    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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
21; Jos 15:63

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Judges 1:7

    And Adoni–bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

  • Judges 1:8

    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.

  • Judges 1:9

    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.

Read all of Judges 1

Judges 1:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y habían combatido los hijos de Judá á Jerusalem, y la habían tomado, y metido á cuchillo, y puesto á fuego la ciudad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et les fils de Juda avaient fait la guerre contre Jérusalem, et l’avaient prise, et ils l’avaient frappée par le tranchant de l’épée, et avaient livré la ville au feu.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die Kinder Juda stritten wider Jerusalem und nahmen es ein und schlugen es mit der Schärfe des Schwertes, und die Stadt steckten sie in Brand.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Oppugnantes ergo filii Juda Jerusalem, ceperunt eam, et percusserunt in ore gladii, tradentes cunctam incendio civitatem.