What does Judges 1:20 mean?
"And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak." - Judges 1:20

The verse Judges 1:20 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
This verse comes from the book of Judges in the Old Testament. The book of Judges is a historical narrative that follows the time period between the death of Joshua and the rise of the monarchy in Israel. During this time, the Israelites were led by a series of judges who were raised up by God to deliver them from their enemies and lead them in the ways of the Lord.
In this particular verse, the Israelites have entered the Promised Land and are beginning to conquer the various territories that were allotted to them. Hebron was an important city in ancient Canaan, located in the hill country of Judah. It was an important city not only strategically, due to its location, but also spiritually and geographically as it was close to where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived.
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to reconnoiter the land of Canaan. After the Israelites refused to enter the land due to their fear of the inhabitants, Caleb, along with Joshua, was one of the two spies who expressed faith in God's ability to conquer the land and encouraged the Israelites to move forward and take possession of it. As a result of his faithfulness, Caleb was promised by Moses that he would receive the land on which he had trodden, which included Hebron. Now, several years later, we see this promise being fulfilled as the Israelites give Hebron to Caleb as they begin to conquer the land.
The verse also mentions the expulsion of the three sons of Anak from Hebron. The Anakim were a tribe of giants that lived in the land of Canaan. They were well-known for their formidable physical stature and were a source of fear for the Israelites. However, Caleb, being a man of great faith and courage, led the charge to drive out these giants and take possession of the land that God had promised to him.
The theme of faith and obedience to God's promises is prevalent in this verse. Caleb's unwavering faith in God's promise to give him the land of Hebron, as well as his boldness in driving out the fearsome Anakim, demonstrates his complete trust in God's faithfulness. This serves as a reminder to the Israelites, and to readers today, that God is faithful to His promises and that those who trust in Him will see His faithfulness manifest in their lives.
The verse also serves as a reminder of God's sovereign control over the affairs of men and the fulfillment of His promises. Despite the fearsome reputation of the Anakim, the Israelites were able to drive them out and take possession of the land as God had promised. This serves as a testament to God's power and his ability to fulfill His plans and purposes even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Additionally, the reference to the expulsion of the Anakim from Hebron serves as a symbolic representation of the conquest of sin and evil in the lives of believers. The Anakim, with their intimidating physical stature, can be seen as representative of the forces of darkness and temptation that can hinder individuals from fully possessing the blessings and promises that God has in store for them. However, just as Caleb and the Israelites were able to drive out the Anakim and take possession of the land, believers today can overcome the struggles and temptations that they face with the help of God, and walk in the fullness of His promises.
In conclusion, Judges 1:20 is a verse that speaks to the theme of faith, obedience, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, His sovereign control over the affairs of men, and the victory that believers can experience over the forces of darkness and temptation. As with all scripture, this verse offers timeless lessons and encouragement for believers as they seek to live out their faith in obedience to God.
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Judges 1:20 - "And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak."
"And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak." - Judges 1:20
Judges 20:1 - "Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh."
Judges 15:20 - "And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years."
Judges 20:29 - "And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah."
Judges 20:20 - "And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah."
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 5:20 - "They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera."
1 Samuel 8:20 - "That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."
Judges 21:20 - "Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"
Judges 20:27 - "And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,"
Judges 20:44 - "And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour."
Judges 20:24 - "And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day."
Judges 20:7 - "Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel."
Ezekiel 20:4 - "Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:"
Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."
"And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years." - Judges 15:20
Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."
Judges 20:9 - "But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;"
Judges 20:11 - "So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man."
Judges 20:47 - "But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months."
Judges 20:41 - "And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them."
Judges 20:12 - "ΒΆ And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?"
Judges 20:14 - "But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel."
Judges 20:21 - "And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men."
Acts 13:20 - "And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet."
Judges 20:4 - "And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge."
Judges 19:20 - "And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street."
Judges 20:37 - "And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword."
Judges 20:34 - "And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them."