Definition: And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before [was] Luz.)

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Judges 1:23. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that a group of people – the house of Joseph – were sent to investigate a city called Bethel. And, crucially, this investigation revealed something significant about the location of the ancient city of Luz. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Judges 1:23” : This is just the title of the verse – it's part of a larger story in the Book of Judges. “And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.” : This means the people who were sending someone (the "house of Joseph") were tasked with looking at or investigating the city of Bethel. "Descry" is a fancy word that means “to examine closely” or “to investigate." "(Now the name of the city before [was] Luz.)” : This is the really important part! The house of Joseph was looking at Bethel, and they discovered something about it. The phrase "[was] Luz" is a little tricky – it's an old way of saying "it was located in the land of Luz." So, what does this all mean? Bethel was likely a very important city: It was a significant religious center and possibly a place of worship. The investigation revealed something about Luz: The fact that the house of Joseph discovered that Bethel was located in the land of Luz suggests that Luz had been lost or moved over time – perhaps it was swallowed by the sea, or changed its location. Why is this a big deal? This verse sets up a narrative that’s often interpreted as a sign that God was actively working to bring about a change in the world. It suggests: God is involved in history: The story isn't just about people and events happening; it's about God’s plan for the future. There's a shift in power or influence: The fact that Luz was revealed to be in the area of Bethel implies a disruption of an established order. In short, this verse is a starting point for understanding how God is working in history and shaping events. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give you some context about the Book of Judges? Discuss what biblical scholars think this verse means?