King James Version

What Does Judges 1:5 Mean?

Judges 1:5 in the King James Version says “And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.” — study this verse from Judges chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.”

Judges 1:5 · KJV

Context

3

And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

4

And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

5

And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

6

But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

7

And Adonibezek 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. their thumbs: Heb. the thumbs of their hands and of their feet gathered: or, gleaned

Read Judges 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

Adoni-bezek's name (Adoni-Bezek, אֲדֹנִי־בֶזֶק) means "lord of Bezek," identifying him as the ruler of this strategic location. The title adon (אָדוֹן, "lord/master") was common for Canaanite kings but stands in theological contrast to Israel's recognition of Yahweh as ultimate Adon (Psalm 110:1). This highlights the spiritual warfare dimension of the conquest—not merely territorial but confronting false sovereignty claims that usurp God's lordship over His creation.

The phrase "they found" (vayimtse'u, וַיִּמְצְאוּ) suggests divine providence guiding Judah to their enemy. In conquest narratives, such encounters aren't portrayed as random but as God orchestrating circumstances for His people's victory (compare Joshua 10:9-11). "They fought against him" uses vayillachamu (וַיִּלָּחֲמוּ), from lacham (לָחַם, "to fight/wage war"), the standard term for combat in holy war contexts. Victory over both Canaanites and Perizzites demonstrates comprehensive defeat of the regional coalition under Adoni-bezek's leadership.

The military success here fulfills God's promise in verse 2: "I have delivered the land into his hand." Reformed theology emphasizes that divine sovereignty and human responsibility work in concert—God promised victory, but Judah still had to engage in actual combat. This parallels Christian sanctification: God has already defeated sin through Christ (Romans 6:6-11, Colossians 2:13-15), yet believers must actively "mortify the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13) and "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). Victory is certain because God has ordained it, yet our obedient engagement remains necessary.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bezek's strategic importance lay in its location controlling north-south travel routes in the central hill country. While the exact site remains debated, most scholars place it near modern Khirbet Ibziq, about 13 miles northeast of Shechem. This positioning suggests Adoni-bezek controlled a significant swath of territory, making him a major regional power. His defeat by Judah removed a key obstacle to Israelite settlement in the central highlands. The mention of both Canaanites and Perizzites indicates a coalition force—Canaanite city-states often formed military alliances when facing common threats, a pattern documented in the Amarna letters from the 14th century BC. Judah's victory over this coalition demonstrated God's power to give His people victory even against numerically or technologically superior enemies, reinforcing the theological principle that "the battle is the LORD's" (1 Samuel 17:47).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Adoni-bezek's false lordship over Bezek illustrate the futility of any authority that opposes God's ultimate sovereignty?
  2. What does this battle teach about the relationship between trusting God's promises and engaging in the hard work of spiritual warfare?
  3. In what areas of your life might God be calling you to actively 'fight' against sin or opposition, trusting that He has already ordained the victory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַֽ֠יִּמְצְאוּ1 of 12

“And they found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אֶת2 of 12
H853

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

אֲדֹנִ֥י3 of 12
H0
בֶ֙זֶק֙4 of 12

“Adonibezek”

H137

adoni-bezek; a canaanitish king

בְּבֶ֔זֶק5 of 12

“in Bezek”

H966

bezek, a place in palestine

וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ6 of 12

“and they fought”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בּ֑וֹ7 of 12
H0
וַיַּכּ֕וּ8 of 12

“against him and they slew”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת9 of 12
H853

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

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י10 of 12

“the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְאֶת11 of 12
H853

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

הַפְּרִזִּֽי׃12 of 12

“and the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

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 1:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Places in This Verse

Bezek 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet Ibziq · 32.37°N, 35.40°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in Judges 1 →

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