King James Version

What Does Judges 1:21 Mean?

Judges 1:21 in the King James Version says “And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 1:21 · KJV

Context

19

And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. drave: or, possessed the mountain

20

And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.

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.

22

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

23

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Benjamin's failure contrasts sharply with Judah's earlier temporary conquest (v. 8). Jerusalem sat on the border between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:8, 18:16, 28), creating shared responsibility that neither tribe fulfilled. The Jebusites' continued occupation "unto this day" (ad-hayyom hazzeh, עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה) indicates the author wrote before David's conquest (2 Samuel 5:6-9). This phrase appears throughout Scripture indicating events preceding the text's composition, providing chronological anchors.

Jerusalem's unconquered status symbolizes the incomplete conquest theme. Despite divine promises and initial victories, Israel failed to possess their full inheritance. The Jebusites' persistence resulted from Israel's failure, not God's—He had given the city (v. 8 shows it could be taken). This incomplete obedience created ongoing problems: foreign peoples remained stumbling blocks (Judges 2:3), leading to intermarriage (3:5-6) and idolatry (2:11-13).

Theologically, Jebusite Jerusalem awaited David, the man after God's own heart, to complete what others couldn't. This foreshadows how Christ accomplishes what all others fail to do. Where Israel's incomplete obedience left enemies unconquered, Christ's perfect obedience achieves complete victory (Colossians 2:15). Jerusalem's conquest by David, its elevation as capital and temple site, and eventual importance in redemptive history all point toward the New Jerusalem where God dwells eternally with His people (Revelation 21:1-3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's Jebusite period lasted from before Abraham (the city appears as Salem in Genesis 14:18) until David's conquest (c. 1003 BCE). Archaeological evidence shows continuous occupation of the southeastern ridge (City of David) from Bronze Age through biblical periods. The Jebusites fortified the city with massive walls and towers, with access to water via Warren's Shaft connecting to the Gihon Spring. These fortifications enabled the Jebusites to taunt David's forces: 'You will not come in here, but the blind and lame will ward you off' (2 Samuel 5:6).

The Jebusites' ethnic identity remains uncertain. They appear in Canaanite people lists (Genesis 15:21, Exodus 3:8) as one of seven nations to be displaced. Extra-biblical sources don't definitively identify them, though some scholars connect them to Hurrian populations. Their king Abdi-Heba appears in Amarna letters (14th century BCE) requesting Egyptian help against 'Apiru raiders, possibly indicating early Israelite activity.

Benjamin's failure had lasting consequences. Jebusite presence contributed to the tribal disunity characterizing the judges period. When David finally conquered Jerusalem, he wisely chose this border city as neutral capital, belonging to no tribe's heartland, helping unite north and south. This political wisdom, combined with spiritual significance (temple site), made Jerusalem central to Israel's identity. Yet even David's conquest proved temporary—Babylonian exile (586 BCE) and later destructions showed only the New Jerusalem represents permanent, unshakeable reality (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. What unconquered 'Jebusites' in your spiritual life represent areas of persistent sin or compromise resulting from incomplete obedience?
  2. How does David's later conquest of Jerusalem illustrate that God sometimes reserves certain victories for specific seasons or people?
  3. What does the contrast between human failure (Benjamin) and divine faithfulness (eventual conquest under David) teach about sanctification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְאֶת1 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיְבוּסִ֜י2 of 17

“but the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב3 of 17

“dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם4 of 17

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לֹ֥א5 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הוֹרִ֖ישׁוּ6 of 17

“did not drive out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

בְּנֵ֤י7 of 17

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִן֙8 of 17

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב9 of 17

“dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הַיְבוּסִ֜י10 of 17

“but the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

אֶת11 of 17
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּנֵ֤י12 of 17

“And the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִן֙13 of 17

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם14 of 17

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

עַ֖ד15 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם16 of 17

“unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃17 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 1:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 1:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 15:632 Samuel 5:6-9Judges 1:8Judges 19:10-12Joshua 18:11-28

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Judges 1 →

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