Judges 1:26

And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.

Judges 1:26 (KJV)

Context

The book of Judges records Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land after Joshua’s death. The tribe of Joseph had just captured Bethel, formerly known as Luz, with the help of a man who showed them the city’s entrance (Judges 1:22-26).

Meaning

Judges 1:26 concludes that account. The unnamed man, likely a Canaanite, goes free and travels into the land of the Hittites. There he builds a city and names it Luz, preserving the old name of the place he had helped Israel conquer. The text records this fact without moral evaluation, noting only that the city kept this name until the time of writing.

The man’s act of naming a new city Luz reflects a human desire for permanence and identity. Yet his effort to perpetuate the old Canaanite name stands in contrast to God’s work in establishing Israel in the land. Human attempts to secure a legacy are transient compared to God’s purposes.

Biblical connections

Luz first appears in Genesis 28:19, where Jacob renamed it Bethel after encountering God there. In Judges 1:23, the tribe of Joseph captured Bethel, which had been known as Luz. The man’s naming of a new city Luz perpetuates the old Canaanite name, reminding readers that the conquest remained incomplete and former inhabitants continued to exert influence.

Application

This verse reflects the recurring theme in Judges of partial obedience to God’s commands. The Israelites did not fully drive out the inhabitants, leading to ongoing challenges. Yet God’s faithfulness to His promises continues even when human obedience is incomplete. The continuity of the name Luz/Bethel points to places of spiritual encounter and divine promise, serving as a reminder of God’s redemptive plan.

Reflection

Consider how we sometimes preserve old patterns or influences that God has asked us to leave behind. The man’s city, named Luz, stands as a testament to human attempts to maintain a legacy. Yet God’s purposes prevail, and His faithfulness endures despite our partial obedience.