Daily Tanach, Tuesday: Shoftim Chapter 1-Part 3-Conquering of Luz

1.       The tribe of Yosef conquers Beis Eil:

• The tribe of Yosef went to battle the city of Beis Eil, whose original name was Luz, and Hashem was with them [and they were successful in battle, as will now be explained].
• Spies are sent to Beis Eil to discover the entrance to the city: The tribe of Yosef sent spies to Beis Eil.[1] The guards [which is in reference to the spies[2]] saw someone leaving the city and they approached him and asked him to show them the way to enter the city [as the entrance of the city was hidden behind a cave which itself was covered by a large Luz[3]]. As a reward, they promised him that they would repay him with kindness [upon conquering the city[4]].
• The city is captured: The man showed them the entrance [to the city using his fingers[5]] and the tribe of Yosef smote the city with the sword. The man who helped them was saved together with his entire family, and they were sent off.
• The man builds the city of Luz: The man who was saved went to the land of the Hittites [who were not part of the seven Canaanite nations[6]] and built a city which he called Luz, and that remains its name until this very day. [It was called this name being that it grew small nuts. This city was not exiled or destroyed by Sancheirev or Nebuchadnezzar.[7] Even the Malach Hamaves has no authority over this city, and thus when the elderly desire to die they leave the city.[8]]

2.       Cities that the tribe of Menashe did not bother to conquer:

• The tribe of Menashe did not bother[9] to conquer the cities of Beit Shean and its surrounding suburbs, nor the city of Tanach and its surrounding suburbs, nor the city of Dor and its surrounding suburbs, nor the city of Yivlaeim and its surrounding suburbs, nor the city of Megido and its surrounding suburbs.
• The Canaanite nations were thus able to dwell in these cities.
• When the Jewish people became strengthened, they placed a tax on these Canaanite cities, although they did not [bother to[10]] conquer them.

3.       Cities that the tribe of Ephraim did not conquer:

• The tribe of Ephraim did not conquer the Canaanite people who lived in Gezer, and they thus dwelled within their midst.

 4.       Cities that the tribe of Zevulun did not conquer:

• The tribe of Zevulun did not conquer the residents of the city of Kitron and the city of Nehalalel, and they thus dwelled within their midst and were given a tax to pay.

5.        Cities that the tribe of Asher did not conquer:

• The tribe of Asher did not conquer the residents of the city of Acco, Tzidon, Achlov, Achziv, Chelbah, Afik, and Rachav.
• The Asheiri nation lived amongst the Canaanite nation and was not conquered.

6.       Cities that the tribe of Naphtali did not conquer:

• The tribe of Naphtali did not conquer the residents of the city of Beit Shemesh, Beit Anot and they thus dwelled within their midst and were given a tax to pay.

7.       Cities that the tribe of Dan did not conquer:[11]

• The tribe of Dan were unable to conquer the Emorites living on the mountains of Cheres, Ayalon and Shalavim. These Emorites oppressed the tribe of Dan. The tribe of Yosef eventually overpowered them and placed a tax upon them. The Emorite border was from Maaleh Ekrabayim until Sela.

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[1] See Rashi 1:23

[2] Radak 1:23

[3] Rashi 1:24; Radak 1:24

[4] Metzudos David 1:24

[5] Radak 1:25

[6] Radak 1:27

[7] Rashi 1:26; Radak 1:26

[8] Radak 1:26

[9] See Rashi 1:27

[10] See Rashi 1:27

[11] See Radak and Metzudos David 1:35 for the interpretation of these verses