Judges 1:16

"The children of the Kenite, Moses’ brother-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad; and they went and lived with the people."

Key Reflection

The passage from Judges 1:16 highlights a strategic alliance between Moses' brother-in-law, Jethro, and the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. This move symbolizes the integration of diverse groups under the covenant community, illustrating how those outside the immediate family of faith can be brought into God's plan and protected in the wilderness journey.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The children of the Kenite -SeeNumbers 24:21note. The city of palm trees -Jericho (see the marginal reference). The rabbinical story is that Jericho, with 500 cubits square of land, was given to Hobab. The use of the phrase “city of palm trees” for “Jericho,” is perhaps an indication of the influence of Joshua’s curseJoshua 6:26. Tbe very name of Jericho was blotted out. There are no palm trees at Jericho now, but Josephus mentions them repeatedly, as well as the balsam trees.

More from Judges 1

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