Why is Phicol Important?
And Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them.
Key Facts
Term Name
Phicol
Role
Jebusite Chieftain
Born
c. 12th century BC
Died
c. 12th century BC
Key Takeaways
- Phicol was a Jebusite chieftain resisting Israelite conquest in Judges 1:29.
- The Benjaminites failed to displace Phicol, reflecting Israel’s partial obedience to God’s commands.
- Phicol’s survival symbolizes spiritual compromise and recurring cycles of apostasy in Israel’s history.
Who Was Phicol in the Bible?
Phicol is briefly mentioned in the book of Judges as a Canaanite leader who resisted Israelite conquest.
Judges 1:29 notes that the Benjaminites failed to displace Phicol and his Jebusite people from Jerusalem, highlighting the incomplete nature of Israel’s territorial takeover. His presence underscores the theological theme of Israel’s partial obedience to God’s command to remove Canaanite inhabitants.
Phicol and the Canaanite Resistance
Judges 1:29 illustrates how Phicol’s Jebusite group exemplified the Canaanite resistance that undermined Israel’s conquest.
The verse states, 'The Benjaminites did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Geba, but the Canaanites dwell among the Benjaminites to this day; yet they became tributary' - a pattern also seen in Phicol’s Jebusite hold over Jerusalem. This failure to displace Phicol’s people reflects the broader biblical narrative of Israel’s incomplete obedience to God’s command to remove all Canaanite inhabitants (Joshua 6:21; Judges 2:2-3). Such partial conquests created ongoing tensions, as foreign groups retained influence and likely corrupted Israel’s religious practices.
Phicol’s survival alongside the Israelites underscores the theological critique in Judges: Israel’s compromises with Canaanite cultures invited cycles of apostasy, judgment, and deliverance. This incomplete conquest set the stage for later conflicts, as seen in David’s eventual siege of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-8).
What We Can Learn From Phicol's Story
Phicol’s story serves as a cautionary example of the consequences of Israel’s partial obedience to God’s commands.
Judges 1:29 explicitly states that the Benjaminites allowed Phicol’s Jebusites to remain, illustrating a recurring failure to fully obey God’s command to remove Canaanite inhabitants (Joshua 6:21). This partial obedience led to ongoing spiritual compromise, as foreign influences like Phicol’s people likely introduced idolatrous practices into Israel, echoing the warnings in Judges 2:2-3. Today, Phicol’s resistance mirrors the challenges believers face in fully surrendering to God, reminding us that incomplete obedience can create lingering spiritual battles in our lives.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Judges 1:29
The Benjaminites failed to drive out Phicol and the Jebusites from Jerusalem.
Joshua 6:21
God’s command to destroy Canaanite inhabitants, unfulfilled in Phicol’s case.
Related Concepts
David (Figures)
Later conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites, resolving Phicol’s legacy.
Jerusalem (Places)
The Jebusite stronghold where Phicol resisted Israelite occupation.
Obedience and Consequences (Theological Concepts)
Phicol’s story illustrates the spiritual consequences of Israel’s disobedience.