Judges 1:17
New International Version
Then the men of Judah went with the Simeonites their fellow Israelites and attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they totally destroyed the city. Therefore it was called Hormah.

New Living Translation
Then Judah joined with Simeon to fight against the Canaanites living in Zephath, and they completely destroyed the town. So the town was named Hormah.

English Standard Version
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

New American Standard Bible
Then Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

NASB 1995
Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

NASB 1977
Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

Amplified Bible
Then [the warriors of the tribe of] Judah went with [the warriors of the tribe of] Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites living in Zephath and utterly destroyed it. So the city was called Hormah (destruction).

Christian Standard Bible
Judah went with his brother Simeon, struck the Canaanites who were living in Zephath, and completely destroyed the town. So they named the town Hormah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Judah went with his brother Simeon, struck the Canaanites who were living in Zephath, and completely destroyed the town. So they named the town Hormah.

American Standard Version
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

Contemporary English Version
Judah's army helped Simeon's army attack the Canaanites who lived at Zephath. They completely destroyed the town and renamed it Hormah.

English Revised Version
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The tribe of Judah went to fight along with the tribe of Simeon, their close relatives. They defeated the Canaanites who lived in Zephath and claimed it for the LORD by destroying it. So the city was called Hormah [Claimed for Destruction].

Good News Translation
The people of Judah went with the people of Simeon, and together they defeated the Canaanites who lived in the city of Zephath. They put a curse on the city, destroyed it, and named it Hormah.

International Standard Version
The army of Judah accompanied the army of Simeon, Judah's brother, as they attacked the Canaanites who were living in Zephath, and they completely destroyed it. Then they renamed the city Hormah.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah.

NET Bible
The men of Judah went with their brothers the men of Simeon and defeated the Canaanites living in Zephath. They wiped out Zephath. So people now call the city Hormah.

New Heart English Bible
Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Judah goes with his brother Simeon, and they strike the Canaanite inhabiting Zephath, and devote it; and [one] calls the name of the city Hormah.

Young's Literal Translation
And Judah goeth with Simeon his brother, and they smite the Canaanite inhabiting Zephath, and devote it; and one calleth the name of the city Hormah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judah will go up with Simeon his brother, and they will smite the Canaanite dwelling in Zephath, and they will exterminate it, and he will call the name of the city, Hormah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Juda went with Simeon his brother, and they together defeated the Chanaanites that dwelt in Sephaath, and slew them. And the name of the city was called Horma, that is, Anathema.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Judah went out with his brother Simeon, and together they struck the Canaanites who were living at Zephath, and they put them to death. And the name of the city was called Hormah, that is, Anathema.

New American Bible
Then Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they defeated the Canaanites who lived in Zephath. They put the city under the ban and renamed it Hormah.

New Revised Standard Version
Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and devoted it to destruction. So the city was called Hormah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Simeon went with Judah his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And they called the name of the city Khirma.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shemon went with Yehuda his brother and they struck the Canaanites who dwelt in Tsuphath, and they destroyed it, and they called the name of the city Kharma destruction
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Judas went with Symeon his brother, and smote the Chananite that inhabited Sepheth, and they utterly destroyed them; and they called the name of the city Anathema.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem and Hebron Captured
16Now the descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenite, went up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah in the Negev near Arad. They went to live among the people. 17Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites, attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath, and devoted the city to destruction. So it was called Hormah. 18And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.…

Cross References
Numbers 21:3
And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.

Deuteronomy 7:2
and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Joshua 15:13-19
According to the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the sons of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) / And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. / From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). ...

Joshua 10:36-39
Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron and fought against it. / They captured it and put to the sword its king, all its villages, and all the people. Joshua left no survivors, just as he had done at Eglon; he devoted to destruction Hebron and everyone in it. / Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it. ...

Joshua 11:21-23
At that time Joshua proceeded to eliminate the Anakim from the hill country of Hebron, Debir, and Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction, along with their cities. / No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive. / So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to the allotments to their tribes. Then the land had rest from war.

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

1 Samuel 15:8-9
He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. / Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

1 Samuel 30:1-2
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

2 Samuel 8:12
from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

1 Chronicles 4:41-43
These who were noted by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings as well as the Meunites who were there, devoting them to destruction even to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks. / And five hundred of these Simeonites led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, went to Mount Seir / and struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped. And they have lived there to this day.

1 Chronicles 18:11
and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.

Psalm 83:6-8
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, / of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. / Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah

Isaiah 34:5-6
When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Ezekiel 25:13
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword.

Amos 1:11-12
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. / So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

And Judah

Judges 1:3
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.

Zephath

2 Chronicles 14:10
Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

Hormah

Numbers 14:45
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.

Numbers 21:3
And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

Joshua 19:4
And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

Jump to Previous
Attacked Canaanite Canaanites City Curse Defeated Destroyed Devote Hormah Inhabited Judah Overcame Simeon Simeonites Slew Smite Smote Struck Totally Utterly Zephath
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Attacked Canaanite Canaanites City Curse Defeated Destroyed Devote Hormah Inhabited Judah Overcame Simeon Simeonites Slew Smite Smote Struck Totally Utterly Zephath
Judges 1
1. The acts of Judah and Simeon
4. Adonibezek justly requited
8. Jerusalem taken
10. Hebron taken
11. Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir
16. The Kenites dwell in Judah
17. Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken
21. The acts of Benjamin
22. Of the house of Joseph, who take Bethel
30. Of Zebulun
31. Of Asher
33. Of Naphtali
34. Of Dan














Then the men of Judah went with their brothers the Simeonites
The tribes of Judah and Simeon were closely related, both descending from Leah, Jacob's wife. This alliance reflects the tribal cooperation necessary during the conquest of Canaan. The unity between these tribes is significant, as it demonstrates the importance of collaboration among God's people to achieve His purposes. Historically, the tribe of Simeon was small and often associated with Judah, as seen in their shared inheritance (Joshua 19:1-9).

attacked the Canaanites living in Zephath
The Canaanites were the original inhabitants of the land, known for their idolatrous practices and opposition to Israel. Zephath is identified with the region in the Negev, a semi-arid area in southern Israel. The attack on Zephath signifies the ongoing struggle to claim the Promised Land, fulfilling God's command to drive out the inhabitants due to their corrupt practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).

and devoted the city to destruction
This phrase indicates the practice of "herem," a term meaning to devote something to God by completely destroying it. This was a common practice commanded by God to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by the pagan practices of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). It underscores the seriousness of maintaining purity and obedience to God's commands.

So it was called Hormah
Hormah means "destruction" or "devotion to destruction." The renaming of the city signifies a new beginning and a reminder of God's judgment against sin. This location is also mentioned in Numbers 21:3, where the Israelites vowed to destroy the Canaanite cities if God delivered them into their hands, showing a fulfillment of earlier events and promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Men of Judah
The tribe of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for its leadership and strength. They were tasked with leading the conquest of the Promised Land.

2. Simeonites
Members of the tribe of Simeon, who were closely allied with Judah. Their territory was within the boundaries of Judah, leading to a natural partnership in military endeavors.

3. Canaanites
The original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, often representing opposition to Israel's occupation and a symbol of idolatry and immorality in biblical accounts.

4. Zephath
A city in the territory of the Canaanites, targeted by the Israelites for destruction as part of their conquest of the Promised Land.

5. Hormah
The name given to Zephath after its destruction, meaning "devotion" or "destruction" in Hebrew, signifying the complete annihilation of the city as an offering to God.
Teaching Points
Unity in Purpose
The collaboration between Judah and Simeon highlights the importance of unity among God's people in achieving His purposes. Believers today are called to work together in fulfilling God's mission.

Obedience to God's Commands
The destruction of Zephath as commanded by God underscores the necessity of obedience to divine instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging.

Spiritual Warfare
The physical battles of the Israelites against the Canaanites can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare. Christians are called to fight against sin and spiritual opposition with the same determination.

Consecration to God
The renaming of Zephath to Hormah signifies a complete dedication to God. Believers are encouraged to devote every aspect of their lives to God, removing anything that hinders their relationship with Him.(17) Zephath.--This name is only mentioned elsewhere in 2Chronicles 14:10, as the scene of Asa's battle with Zerah the Ethiopian.

Hormah--i.e., "a place devoted by ban." The name Chormah is derived from Cherem (anathema or oan), and the verb rendered "utterly destroyed" means 'executed the ban upon it." By their conquest the Israelites fulfilled the vow which they had made in consequence of the "defeat inflicted on them by the king of Arad," as a punishment for their disobedient Attempt to force their way into Palestine (see Numbers 14:45; Numbers 21:1-3). The town belonged to Simeon (Joshua 19:4; 1Chronicles 4:28-32), and was close to the lands of the Kenites (1Samuel 30:29-30). . . .

Verse 17. - Judah went with Simeon. In ver. 3 Simeon went with Judah, because the places which follow were all in Judah's lot; but now we read, Judah went with Simeon, because Zephath or Hormah was in Simeon's lot (Joshua 19:4). For Hormah, identified by Robinson (2:181) with Es-sufeh, see Numbers 21:3. The Hebrew verb for "they utterly destroyed" is the root of the name Hormah, i.e. utter destruction.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the men of Judah
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

went
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

their brothers
אָחִ֔יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

the Simeonites,
שִׁמְע֣וֹן (šim·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8095: Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife

struck
וַיַּכּ֕וּ (way·yak·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

the Canaanites
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י (hak·kə·na·‘ă·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan

who were living
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Zephath,
צְפַ֑ת (ṣə·p̄aṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6857: Zephath -- a Canaanite city

and completely destroyed
וַיַּחֲרִ֣ימוּ (way·ya·ḥă·rî·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2763: To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose

[the city].
אוֹתָ֔הּ (’ō·w·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

So [it] was called
וַיִּקְרָ֥א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Hormah.
חָרְמָֽה׃ (ḥā·rə·māh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2767: Hormah -- 'asylum', a place in Simeon


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OT History: Judges 1:17 Judah went with Simeon his brother (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 1:16
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