Judges 1 29

Judges 1:29 kjv

Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

Judges 1:29 nkjv

Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; so the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

Judges 1:29 niv

Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, but the Canaanites continued to live there among them.

Judges 1:29 esv

And Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them.

Judges 1:29 nlt

The tribe of Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live there among them.

Judges 1 verses

Judges 1 29 Meaning

Judges 1:29 signifies that the tribe of Ephraim, despite their allocated territory and God's clear command, failed to completely expel the indigenous Canaanite inhabitants from the city of Gezer. Instead of fully conquering the land and eradicating idolatry, they allowed the Canaanites to remain living among them, indicating a critical compromise and partial obedience that contravened divine instructions and foreshadowed future spiritual decline.

Judges 1 29 Context

Judges 1 serves as an introduction to the larger narrative of the Book of Judges. It details the initial, post-Joshua efforts of the Israelite tribes to secure their allotted territories. While some tribes, like Judah and Simeon, experienced significant early victories and successfully conquered parts of their inheritance, a pervasive theme emerges: many tribes failed to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants from their lands. This verse, Judges 1:29, specifically highlights Ephraim's failure regarding Gezer, fitting into a recurring pattern described in the latter half of the chapter (vv. 21-36). This partial obedience, a clear defiance of God's earlier commands (e.g., Deut 7:1-6), set the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that define the rest of the book, as the lingering pagan influences became a spiritual snare to Israel.

Judges 1 29 Word analysis

• And Ephraim:
  • And: Connects this specific failure to the broader narrative of tribal efforts.
  • Ephraim (אֶפְרַיִם - Ephrayim): One of the most powerful and influential tribes, descended from Joseph, blessed by Jacob to be "a multitude of nations" (Gen 48:19). Their failure here is significant, indicating that even prominent tribes with God's blessing and resources fell short. This highlights that obedience is not dependent on strength or status but on faithfulness.
• did not drive out:
  • Did not: Emphasizes a conscious act of omission or negligence. This was not a lack of ability but a failure of will or commitment.
  • drive out (גָּרַשׁ - garash): Means to expel, thrust out, cast out by force. This refers to the active and complete dispossession of the Canaanites, as repeatedly commanded by God. The absence of this action is a direct violation of divine orders, demonstrating disobedience and compromise.
• the Canaanites:
  • the Canaanites (הַכְּנַעֲנִי - ha-Kena'ani): The indigenous, idolatrous inhabitants of the land. God had commanded their complete expulsion or destruction due to their pervasive wickedness and their potential to corrupt Israel with their pagan worship, immorality, and false gods. Their continued presence posed an existential spiritual threat.
• who dwelt in Gezer;
  • who dwelt (יָשַׁב - yashab): Simply means to reside, sit, or inhabit. Here, it refers to the Canaanites' existing occupation of Gezer.
  • in Gezer (בְּגָזֶר - bə-Gazer): A significant Canaanite city located strategically on vital trade routes between the coastal plain and the Judean hills. Its location made its control crucial for defense and communication. Ephraim's failure to secure Gezer meant leaving a stronghold of foreign influence and potential threat within their territory. Archeological findings confirm Gezer's strong fortifications and long history.
• but the Canaanites dwelt among them in Gezer.
  • but: Introduces the contrasting reality – instead of expulsion, there was coexistence.
  • the Canaanites dwelt (יָשַׁב - yashab): Reiteration emphasizing their continued presence.
  • among them: Implies living side-by-side, a compromised state of cohabitation rather than complete separation as commanded by God. This sets a dangerous precedent for syncretism and assimilation.
  • in Gezer: Reinforces that the Canaanites maintained control and residency within this key city in Ephraim's territory.

Words-Group by words-group analysis

• "And Ephraim did not drive out": This phrase immediately establishes the core issue: disobedience and a lack of decisive action from a leading tribe. It signals the beginning of a pattern of compromise seen throughout the chapter and the book. It indicates a failure of initiative and commitment to God's directives.
• "the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt among them in Gezer.": This highlights the persistent nature of the Canaanite presence and Ephraim's ultimate concession. The repetition emphasizes the tragic outcome – the very people commanded to be expelled became permanent neighbors, setting up a continuous spiritual and cultural conflict. This cohabitation represented a failure to finish the conquest, leaving the roots of idolatry to grow in Israel.

Judges 1 29 Bonus section

The mention of Gezer in Judges 1:29 is particularly significant beyond its immediate context. Centuries later, in 1 Kings 9:16, we learn that Gezer was still in Canaanite hands (or a related entity) until Pharaoh took it and gifted it to Solomon. This demonstrates the profound and lasting impact of Ephraim's initial failure; Gezer remained a non-Israelite stronghold within what should have been their territory for generations, reinforcing the severe long-term consequences of disobedience and partial conquest. Archaeologically, Gezer has been a rich site, revealing layers of fortifications, cultic installations, and an important Gezer Calendar, attesting to its strategic and cultural importance even during Israel's time, making Ephraim's inability to capture it completely even more lamentable.

Judges 1 29 Commentary

Judges 1:29 stands as a stark indictment of the tribe of Ephraim, demonstrating their failure to execute God's clear command for complete dispossession of the Canaanites in Gezer. This omission was not a mere oversight but a conscious act of compromise. Despite being a powerful tribe with a prominent position, Ephraim prioritized ease or economic benefit over radical obedience. This selective obedience resulted in the Canaanites remaining "among them," fostering an environment ripe for spiritual contamination and later becoming "snares and traps" as God had warned. This verse, mirrored by similar failures of other tribes in Judges 1, establishes a foundational theme for the entire Book of Judges: the direct consequences of Israel's half-heartedness and failure to fully trust and obey God. It serves as a profound biblical example of how partial obedience is disobedience, leading to ongoing spiritual struggles and national decline. Practically, it underscores the need for believers to entirely eradicate influences contrary to God's will in their lives, rather than accommodating them, lest those compromises become obstacles to true fellowship and spiritual growth.