Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

If Jerusalem was annihilated during this period, how did the ruling David later encircle and conquer it? The Jewish people endured numerous trials, as illustrated in the account of the Judges. They faced defeat repeatedly, submitted to foreign powers, and found themselves in servitude to outsiders. Thus, it is clear that the Jebusites, who had set Jerusalem ablaze, exploited the shortcomings of God's chosen people. I believe this book came into being later, as evidenced by the historical reference to the city as Jerusalem; a title it acquired after previously being known as Jebus.

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Teacher of the Church

The author of this sacred text informs us that the descendants of the tribe of Judah seized the city of Jerusalem, set it ablaze, and claimed it as their own. The sons of Judah engaged in battle against Jerusalem, conquered it, struck it down with swords, and set fire to the city. This is also affirmed in Joshua 15:8. In the book of Joshua, it is noted in Joshua 18:28 that Jerusalem serves as the inheritance for the lineage of Benjamin, referred to as Jebus in biblical texts. This represents the heritage of the descendants of Benjamin according to their clans.

Read more (280 words)

It is a matter of fact that at one time, the city of Jerusalem was held by both the descendants of Judah and Benjamin. The city was divided into two sections, east and west: the western part originally belonged to Benjamin and was known as Salim, as stated in Genesis 14:18. However, when the children of Judah sought to claim their portion, which was relatively small, they were compelled to engage in conflict for the other segment, not against the will of Benjamin’s descendants but rather in accordance with their wishes; they, feeling weak, could no longer retain control of that region.

Church writers have noted that Jerusalem is regarded as the firstborn city of all Judea and Palestine, or Mithropolis, established by Melchizedek, who is also associated with Salim, as referenced in Genesis 14:18 and Hebrews 7:1. The city known as Salim is referred to as Jebus in Scripture, named after Jebus, the son of Canaan, per Numbers 18:28. David the king renamed it Jerusalem, taking the ancient title of the mountain, which Abraham called after an encounter with the angel, indicating, "The Lord will see, the Lord appeared" (Genesis 22:14). For a significant time, this city was referred to as Aelia by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who constructed walls around the site of the crucifixion and the tomb of Christ at Golgotha.

Jerusalem had two distinct parts: the higher Jerusalem, situated on Mount Zion, where the temple was located, and the lower Jerusalem, which rested beneath Zion, adjacent to the temple. The Hebrew term Salim translates to peace; the Hebrew verb Jeru implies "shall see." Consequently, Jerusalem can be interpreted in the Slavonic translation as "shall see peace."

Judges 1:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Church Fathers on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Cross references