The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 40
Judah 5
Areta stood as a strong and walled city so inaccessible that its people threatened the travelers with death on approach.
1n the next day we departed to Areta, a city strong and walled and inaccessible, threatening us with death.
2 Therefore I and Gad approached on the east side of the city, and Reuben and Levi on the west and south.
3 And they that were upon the wall, thinking that we were alone, charged down upon us; and so our brethren secretly climbed up the wall on both sides by ladders, and entered into the city, while the men knew it not.
4 And we took it with the edge of the sword; and those who had taken refuge in the tower,—we set fire to the tower, and took both it and them.
5 And as we were departing the men of Thaffu set upon our captives, and we took it with our sons, and fought with them even to Thaffu; and we slew them, and burnt their city, and spoiled all the things that were therein.
Did You Know?
Areta stood as a strong and walled city so inaccessible that its people threatened the travelers with death on approach.
Gad and the speaker took the east side of Areta while Reuben and Levi approached from the west and south.
Wall defenders charged down believing they faced only a few men as brethren secretly scaled ladders on both sides and entered unseen.
Refugees who fled into Areta's tower were overcome when the attackers set the structure ablaze and seized both tower and people.
After Areta fell, men of Thaffu attacked the captives, prompting a battle fought with sons all the way to Thaffu, where the city was burnt and spoiled.
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