Judges 1:23

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz),

American Standard Version (1901)

And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Beth-el. (Now the name of the city beforetime was Luz.)

Bible in Basic English

So they sent men to make a search round Beth-el. (Now the name of the town in earlier times was Luz.)

Free Bible Version

They sent spies to investigate Bethel, which was previously known as Luz.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the house of Ioseph caused to viewe Beth-el (and the name of the citie beforetime was Luz)

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

They sent some spies to find out everything that they could find out about Bethel, which was previously called Luz.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They sent out men to spy on Bethel (the city that was formerly called Luz).

Noah Webster Bible

And the house of Joseph sent to explore Beth-el. Now the name of the city before was Luz.

World English Bible

The house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel. (The name of the city before that was Luz.)

Young's Literal Translation

and the house of Joseph cause [men] to spy about Beth-El (and the name of the city formerly is Luz),

Context

The Capture of Jerusalem and Hebron

²²The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them.²³They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz),²⁴and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.”

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

This verse describes the tribes of Joseph sending spies to survey the city of Bethel, formerly known as Luz. The spies saw a man leaving the city who made a pact with them to show them a way into the city. The tribes of Joseph then captured the city, but the man and his family were spared as they had shown kindness to the spies. This account illustrates the strategic and diplomatic approach taken by the tribes of Joseph in securing victory, as well as the importance of honoring agreements and showing mercy even in times of conflict.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel,.... To reconnoitre the place, to observe its passes and avenues, which were most accessible, and to examine the walls of it, where they were weakest and least defended: now the name of the city before was Luz; which signifies a "nut"; perhaps it was so called from large numbers of nut trees which grew near it; the Jews suggest as if it was like a nut, no entrance into it but through a cave or some subterraneous passage, see Gen 28:19.