Judges 1:23

23 They sent men to spy on Bethel. (In the past the city was called Luz.)

Judges 1:23 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 1:23

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel
To reconnoitre the place, to observe its passes and avenues, which were most accessible, and to examine the walls of it, where they were weakest and least defended:

now the name of the city before [was] Luz;
which signifies a "nut"; perhaps it was so called from large numbers of nut trees which grew near it; the Jews suggest as if it was like a nut, no entrance into it but through a cave or some subterraneous passage, see ( Genesis 28:19 ) .

Judges 1:23 In-Context

21 The men of Benjamin did not force out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. The Jebusites still live with the tribe of Benjamin in Jerusalem today.

22 The descendants of Joseph also went into battle against Bethel, and the LORD was with them.

23 They sent men to spy on Bethel. (In the past the city was called Luz.)

24 The spies saw a man coming out of the city. They told him, "Show us how we can get into the city, and we'll treat you kindly."

25 He showed them. So they got into the city and killed everyone there. But they let that man and his whole family go free.