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Judges 1:25

Judges 1:25 in Multiple Translations

So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.

And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

And he showed them the entrance into the city; and they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let the man go and all his family.

So he made clear to them the way into the town, and they put it to the sword; but they let the man and all his family get away safe.

The man showed them the way into the town, and they killed all the inhabitants except the man and his family, whom they let go.

And when hee had shewed them the waie into the citie, they smote the citie with the edge of the sworde, but they let the man and all his housholde depart.

And he sheweth them the entrance of the city, and they smite the city by the mouth of the sword, and the man and all his family they have sent away;

He showed them the entrance into the city, and they struck the city with the edge of the sword; but they let the man and all his family go.

And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword: but they let go the man and all his family.

And when he had shewn them, they smote the city with the edge of the sword: but that man and all his kindred they let go:

So the man showed them a way to enter the city. The men of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh entered the city and killed all the people with their swords, but they did not kill the man who showed them how to get into the city, and they did not kill his family.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 1:25

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 1:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יַּרְאֵ/ם֙ אֶת מְב֣וֹא הָ/עִ֔יר וַ/יַּכּ֥וּ אֶת הָ/עִ֖יר לְ/פִי חָ֑רֶב וְ/אֶת הָ/אִ֥ישׁ וְ/אֶת כָּל מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖/וֹ שִׁלֵּֽחוּ
וַ/יַּרְאֵ/ם֙ râʼâh H7200 Provider Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
מְב֣וֹא mâbôwʼ H3996 entrance N-ms
הָ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs
וַ/יַּכּ֥וּ nâkâh H5221 to smite Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
הָ/עִ֖יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs
לְ/פִי peh H6310 lip Prep | N-ms
חָ֑רֶב chereb H2719 sword N-fs
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
הָ/אִ֥ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖/וֹ mishpâchâh H4940 family N-fs | Suff
שִׁלֵּֽחוּ shâlach H7971 to send V-Piel-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 1:25

וַ/יַּרְאֵ/ם֙ râʼâh H7200 "Provider" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מְב֣וֹא mâbôwʼ H3996 "entrance" N-ms
This word means an entrance, or the act of entering, and can also refer to the west or sunset. It describes a place or action of coming in. The KJV translates it as entrance or entry.
Definition: 1) entrance, a coming in, entering 2) sunset 2a) sunset 2b) sunset, west Also means: me.vo.ah (מְבוֹאָה "entry" H3997)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: by which came, as cometh, in coming, as men enter into, entering, entrance into, entry, where goeth, going down, [phrase] westward. Compare H4126 (מוֹבָא). See also: Deuteronomy 11:30; Psalms 50:1; Psalms 104:19.
הָ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
וַ/יַּכּ֥וּ nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/עִ֖יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
לְ/פִי peh H6310 "lip" Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
חָ֑רֶב chereb H2719 "sword" N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אִ֥ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖/וֹ mishpâchâh H4940 "family" N-fs | Suff
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
שִׁלֵּֽחוּ shâlach H7971 "to send" V-Piel-Perf-3cp
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.

Study Notes — Judges 1:25

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Joshua 6:22–25 Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day.

Judges 1:25 Summary

This verse is talking about a time when the Israelites were trying to take over a city, and a man from that city showed them how to get in. As a result, the Israelites spared the man and his family, but destroyed the rest of the city. This shows that God is a God of both justice and mercy, as seen in Psalm 89:14, and that He wants us to keep our promises and be kind to others, even if they are our enemies. It's also a reminder that our actions have consequences, and that we should always try to do what is right in God's eyes, as seen in Proverbs 21:3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Israelites spare the man and his family who showed them the entrance to the city?

The Israelites spared the man and his family because they had shown them kindness by revealing the entrance to the city, as they had promised in Judges 1:24, and this act of mercy is reminiscent of the kindness shown to Rahab and her family in Joshua 2:12-14 and Joshua 6:22-25.

What does it mean to 'put the city to the sword'?

To 'put the city to the sword' means to utterly destroy it, as seen in other passages such as Deuteronomy 13:15 and Joshua 10:28, where the Israelites were commanded to devote certain cities to destruction as an act of judgment from God.

Why did the man who showed them the entrance to the city go to the land of the Hittites afterwards?

The man likely went to the land of the Hittites because his own city had been destroyed, and he needed to find a new place to live, similar to how Abraham had to relocate to a new land in Genesis 12:1-5, and this decision may have been influenced by the fact that his city was no longer habitable.

Is this verse saying that it's okay to show mercy to our enemies?

This verse is not necessarily saying that it's always okay to show mercy to our enemies, but rather that in this specific situation, the Israelites had made a promise to the man and his family, and they chose to keep that promise, which is in line with the biblical principle of keeping one's word, as seen in Psalm 15:4 and Matthew 5:37.

Reflection Questions

  1. What would I have done if I were in the shoes of the man who showed the Israelites the entrance to the city, and how can I apply that to my own life when faced with difficult decisions?
  2. How can I balance the need to show mercy and kindness to others, while also upholding justice and righteousness, as seen in this verse and in other biblical passages such as Micah 6:8?
  3. What does this verse reveal about God's character, particularly in regards to His justice and mercy, and how can I reflect that in my own life and relationships?
  4. In what ways can I be a 'light in the darkness' like the man who showed the Israelites the entrance to the city, and what are some ways that I can share God's love and kindness with those around me, as seen in Matthew 5:14-16?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 1:25

And when he showed them the entrance, into the city,.... Pointing to it with his fingers, as the same writers observe: they smote the city with the edge of the sword; they gave notice of what

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 1:25

And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 1:25

Together with his estate, as the following verse manifests.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 1:25

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Ver. 25.

Cambridge Bible on Judges 1:25

25. but they let … go] As Rahab and her kindred were spared, Joshua 6:25.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 1:25

25. When he showed them — This unpatriotic act is not to be stigmatized as a betrayal of his country, since he did it under duress.

Sermons on Judges 1:25

SermonDescription
Clement of Rome The Rewards of Hospitality by Clement of Rome Clement of Rome highlights the story of Rahab the harlot, emphasizing her faith, hospitality, and role in the salvation of the spies sent by Joshua to Jericho. Rahab's courageous a

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