Judges 1:3
ESV
And Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me into the territory allotted to me, that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into the territory allotted to you." So Simeon went with him.
NIV
The men of Judah then said to the Simeonites their fellow Israelites, "Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours." So the Simeonites went with them.
NASB
Then Judah said to his brother Simeon, 'Go up with me into the territory allotted me, and let’s fight the Canaanites; and I in turn will go with you into the territory allotted you.' So Simeon went with him.
CSB
Judah said to his brother Simeon, "Come with me to my allotted territory, and let us fight against the Canaanites. I will also go with you to your allotted territory." So Simeon went with him.
NLT
The men of Judah said to their relatives from the tribe of Simeon, 'Join with us to fight against the Canaanites living in the territory allotted to us. Then we will help you conquer your territory.' So the men of Simeon went with Judah.
KJV
And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
NKJV
So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him.
What does Judges 1:3 mean?
After Joshua's death (Joshua 24:29–31), Israel's new mission was clear. As they had been told by Moses (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4), they were to drive all the wicked Canaanite peoples out. Each tribe of Israel was to take complete possession of the territory apportioned to them. The people have asked the Lord which tribe should attack first. God responded that Judah (Genesis 49:8–9) should lead, promising to give Judah's territory into its hands (Judges 1:1–2).This verse depicts the conversation between the tribes of Judah and Simeon as if the patriarchs themselves were speaking. The leaders of Judah's tribe invite the leaders of Simeon's tribe into an alliance. If Simeon will come and fight with Judah for Judah's territory, then Judah will fight with Simeon's people to clean the Canaanites out of their land. Simeon's people agreed.
This arrangement makes excellent sense for two reasons. First, Judah's tribe is large and has been given the largest single territory of all the tribes, on the southern end of the Promised Land. Simeon's tribe is the smallest of the others by far. It will need help. Second, Simeon's territory exists within the borders of Judah's territory. By default, Judah will end up serving as Simeon's protector. It follows that their fighting men should join forces.
