Judges 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah and Simeon together destroy Zephath, which is then renamed Hormah.
What Does Judges 1:17 Mean?
The brother tribes Judah and Simeon, faithful to their pact, fight together again. They strike the Canaanites of Zephath and devote the city to destruction, after which it is renamed Hormah, a name tied to the word for that which is set apart under a ban. The mutual aid promised earlier in the chapter is now carried out.
The renaming marks the place as wholly given over in obedience to God's command concerning the land. While the language of utter destruction is sobering, it reflects the gravity of cleansing the land of the entrenched idolatry and corruption that filled it. The verse also rewards the brothers' loyalty: because they stood together, the work was done. Partnership in obedience bears fruit that solitary effort could not.
Judges 1:17 in the Original Language
charam (חָרַם), 'utterly destroyed' -- to devote something entirely to God, setting it irrevocably apart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 1:17
What does Judges 1:17 mean?
Judah and Simeon together destroy Zephath, which is then renamed Hormah.