But Adoni-bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
Judges 1:6 stands in the introduction to Judges, the opening account covering chapters 1, 2 and 3:1-6. That opening shows that Israel had not yet possessed all of the country. It opens a new period in Israel's history when the people were free to choose obedience or self-will and thereby shape their national life. It begins a history of fearful backsliding met by God's great mercy and goodness. It tells of Israel's failure to carry out the instructions God gave, the captivity that came as a consequence, and the help God gave through the judges, or saviours, whom He raised up.
Adoni-bezek was captured after flight and pursuit, and his thumbs and his great toes were cut off. This left him unable to draw a bow or handle a sword and hindered him from pursuing an enemy or escaping one. Such mutilation was practiced in ancient times to prevent men from going to war or to mark cowardice. The custom is preserved in the word poltroon for a soldier whose thumb was cut off.
Judges 1:6 stands in the introduction to Judges, the opening account covering chapters 1, 2 and 3:1-6. That opening shows that Israel had not yet possessed all of the country. It opens a new period in Israel's history when the people were free to choose obedience or self-will and thereby shape their national life. It begins a history of fearful backsliding met by God's great mercy and goodness. It tells of Israel's failure to carry out the instructions God gave, the captivity that came as a consequence, and the help God gave through the judges, or saviours, whom He raised up.
Adoni-bezek was captured after flight and pursuit, and his thumbs and his great toes were cut off. This left him unable to draw a bow or handle a sword and hindered him from pursuing an enemy or escaping one. Such mutilation was practiced in ancient times to prevent men from going to war or to mark cowardice. The custom is preserved in the word poltroon for a soldier whose thumb was cut off.