Overview:
Bezek is a location mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, primarily associated with two significant events. It is referenced in the context of military campaigns and leadership transitions in ancient Israel. The name "Bezek" is thought to mean "lightning" or "flash," reflecting perhaps the swiftness or intensity of the events that transpired there.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 1:4-5 : "When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. And there they found Adoni-bezek and fought against him, striking down the Canaanites and Perizzites."

In this passage, Bezek is the site of a significant victory for the tribe of Judah during the early conquest of Canaan. The Israelites, under divine guidance, defeated the Canaanites and Perizzites, capturing their king, Adoni-bezek. This victory is part of the broader narrative of Israel's settlement in the Promised Land, demonstrating God's faithfulness in delivering their enemies into their hands.

2. 1 Samuel 11:8 : "And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah."

Bezek is also mentioned as a gathering place for the Israelites under King Saul. This event occurs when Saul musters the troops to rescue the city of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. The assembly at Bezek signifies Saul's early leadership and the unification of Israel under his kingship. It marks a pivotal moment in Saul's reign, showcasing his ability to rally the tribes of Israel for a common cause.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Bezek's exact location is not definitively known, but it is generally believed to be situated in the central region of ancient Israel, possibly near the border of the tribal territories of Judah and Benjamin. The strategic importance of Bezek is underscored by its use as a military staging ground in both the Judges and Samuel narratives.

Theological Significance:

The events at Bezek highlight themes of divine intervention and leadership in the history of Israel. In Judges, the victory at Bezek underscores the Israelites' reliance on God's power to overcome their adversaries. The capture and subsequent punishment of Adoni-bezek, who had previously mutilated seventy kings, serves as a narrative of divine justice and retribution.

In 1 Samuel, Bezek's role as a gathering place for Saul's army illustrates the unity and strength of Israel under a divinely appointed king. Saul's ability to mobilize a large force reflects the consolidation of the tribes and the establishment of a centralized monarchy, which was a significant development in Israel's history.

Cultural and Literary Aspects:

The accounts of Bezek in the Bible are rich with cultural and literary elements. The narrative of Adoni-bezek's capture and his acknowledgment of divine justice ("As I have done, so God has repaid me," Judges 1:7) provides a moral lesson on the consequences of one's actions. The gathering at Bezek in 1 Samuel emphasizes the importance of leadership and unity in the face of external threats.

Overall, Bezek serves as a backdrop for key moments in Israel's journey from a collection of tribes to a unified nation under a monarchy, reflecting the broader themes of covenant, leadership, and divine providence that permeate the biblical narrative.Bezek

lightning; in the chains

Bezek

(lightning).

1. The residence of Adonibezek, (Judges 1:6) in the lot of Judah. ver. (Judges 1:3)
2. Where Saul numbered the forces of Israel and Judah before going to the relief of Jabesh-gilead. (1 Samuel 11:8) This was doubtless somewhere in the centre of the country, near the Jordan valley. No identification of either place has been made in modern times.

Bezek

A city of the Canaanites, of which Adoni-zedek was king. The account of its capture by Judah is in Jude 1:1-8. Here Saul reviewed his forces before going to raise the siege of Jabesh-gilead, 1 Samuel 11:8.

Lightning.

(1.) The residence of Adoni-bezek, in the lot of Judah (Judges 1:5). It was in the mountains, not far from Jerusalem. Probably the modern Bezkah, 6 miles south-east of Lydda.

(2.) The place where Saul numbered the forces of Israel and Judah (1 Samuel 11:8); somewhere in the centre of the country, near the Jordan valley. Probably the modern Ibzik, 13 miles north-east of Shechem.

BEZEK

be'-zek (bezeq; Bezek, Codex Vaticanus, Abiezek):

(1) The city of Adoni-bezek taken by Judah and Simeon (Judges 1:4 f), in the territory allotted to Judah. It is somewhat doubtfully identified with Bezqah, about 3 miles Northeast of Gezer.

(2) The place where Saul marshaled his army before marching to the relief of Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:8). Eusebius, Onomasticon speaks of two villages of this name 17 Roman miles from Shechem, on the way to Scythopolis. No doubt Khirbet Ibziq is intended. Here, or on the neighboring height, Ras Ibziq, a mountain 2,404 ft. above sea level, the army probably assembled.

W. Ewing

137. Adoni-bezeq -- "lord of Bezek," a ruler in Canaan
... Adoni-bezeq. 138 . "lord of Bezek," a ruler in Canaan. Transliteration:
Adoni-bezeq Phonetic Spelling: (ad-o''-nee-beh'-zek) Short Definition: Adoni-bezek. ...
/hebrew/137.htm - 6k

966. Bezeq -- a place in Palestine
... 965, 966. Bezeq. 967 . a place in Palestine. Transliteration: Bezeq Phonetic
Spelling: (beh'-zak) Short Definition: Bezek. ... NASB Word Usage Bezek (3). Bezek. ...
/hebrew/966.htm - 6k

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... the affairs of the Canaanites were at this thee in a flourishing condition, and
they expected the Israelites with a great army at the city Bezek, having put ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory ...
... So they came together, out of fear of the losses they were threatened with, at the
appointed time. And the multitude were numbered at the city Bezek. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 sauls expedition against.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... heart of Judah. The frontier town of Bezek, mentioned in the ancient
narrative of Judges, has not yet been identified. The name ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... sword.**. * Joshua 10.The same war is given rather differently in Judges
1:1-9, where the king is called Adoni-bezek. ** Joshua 11 ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Bezek (3 Occurrences)
... Lightning. (1.) The residence of Adoni-bezek, in the lot of Judah (Judges
1:5). It was in the mountains, not far from Jerusalem. ...BEZEK. ...
/b/bezek.htm - 8k

Adoni-bezek (3 Occurrences)
Adoni-bezek. Adonibezek, Adoni-bezek. Ado'ni-be'zek . Multi-Version
Concordance Adoni-bezek (3 Occurrences). Judges ...
/a/adoni-bezek.htm - 7k

Adonibezek (2 Occurrences)
... Lord of Bezek, a Canaanitish king who, having subdued seventy of the chiefs that
were around him, made an attack against the armies of Judah and Simeon, but ...
/a/adonibezek.htm - 8k

Perizzite (22 Occurrences)
... with the Canaanite (Genesis 13:7; Genesis 34:30 Judges 1:4). We hear, accordingly,
of Canaanites and Perizzites at Shechem (Genesis 34:30), at Bezek in Judah ...
/p/perizzite.htm - 16k

Perizzites (23 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:4 Judah went up; and Yahweh delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites
into their hand: and they struck of them in Bezek ten thousand men. ...
/p/perizzites.htm - 15k

Thumbs (4 Occurrences)
... (KJV BBE WBS RSV NIV). Judges 1:6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued after
him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. ...
/t/thumbs.htm - 7k

Toes (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV BBE WBS RSV NIV). Judges 1:6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued after
him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. ...
/t/toes.htm - 9k

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... Rout (6 Occurrences). Judges 1:5 They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek; and they fought
against him, and they struck the Canaanites and the Perizzites. (See NIV). ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Ado'ni-be'zek (2 Occurrences)
Ado'ni-be'zek. Adoni-bezek, Ado'ni-be'zek. Adonijah . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY RSV). Adoni-bezek, Ado'ni-be'zek. Adonijah . Reference Bible.
/a/ado'ni-be'zek.htm - 6k

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Judges 1:4 Then Judah went up and the LORD gave the Canaanites and the
Per'izzites into their hand; and they defeated ten thousand of them at Bezek. ...
/p/per'izzites.htm - 13k

Who was Adoni-Bezek? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Judges | GotQuestions.org

Who was Gideon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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