Judges 1 31

Judges 1:31 kjv

Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:

Judges 1:31 nkjv

Nor did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Acco or the inhabitants of Sidon, or of Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob.

Judges 1:31 niv

Nor did Asher drive out those living in Akko or Sidon or Ahlab or Akzib or Helbah or Aphek or Rehob.

Judges 1:31 esv

Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco, or the inhabitants of Sidon or of Ahlab or of Achzib or of Helbah or of Aphik or of Rehob,

Judges 1:31 nlt

The tribe of Asher failed to drive out the residents of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Aczib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.

Judges 1 verses

Judges 1 31 Meaning

Judges 1:31 details the failure of the tribe of Asher to dispossess the original Canaanite inhabitants from several key cities within their allotted inheritance in the Promised Land. These cities—Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob—remained under pagan control, signifying a partial and incomplete obedience to God's explicit command to completely cleanse the land of its idolatrous inhabitants. This disobedience left seeds of corruption within Israel's territory.

Judges 1 31 Context

Judges 1 serves as a vital prologue to the entire book, setting the theological stage for Israel's recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. After Joshua's death, the tribes inquire of the Lord who should lead the continuing conquest of Canaan. While Judah initially shows strength and partial success, the chapter rapidly devolves into a list of widespread tribal failures to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants from their assigned territories. Judges 1:31 specifically highlights Asher's non-compliance. This failure, common across many tribes (v.21, 27-30, 33-34), explains why "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" later in the book (Jdg 17:6, 21:25) and why foreign worship began to permeate Israel. The continued presence of fortified Canaanite cities and their polytheistic inhabitants, particularly commercial hubs like Sidon and Acco within Asher's area, posed an ongoing spiritual threat, leading to Israel learning their ways and serving their gods, a direct contravention of God's covenant instructions.

Word Analysis

• "Neither did Asher drive out": This phrase (lo' hōrish in Hebrew, meaning "did not dispossess" or "did not cause to inherit [i.e., by removing others]") is critical. It emphasizes the absence of full obedience. The tribe of Asher, given a rich coastal region (Josh 19:24-31), failed to complete the task commanded by God. This indicates either a lack of faith in God's power, military inability perceived by the tribe, or a pragmatic choice to coexist rather than endure prolonged warfare. Their partial obedience stood in stark contrast to God's command for complete eradication to prevent spiritual contamination.
• "the inhabitants": (Hebrew: yoshevē, "those dwelling there"). These were the indigenous Canaanite peoples, known for their polytheistic worship, often including fertility cults and child sacrifice (Lev 18:21, Deut 12:31). God's command to drive them out was not arbitrary but a measure to protect Israel's spiritual purity and distinctness as His covenant people.
• "Acco" (עַכּוֹ - Akko): A significant ancient port city on the Mediterranean coast, later known as Ptolemais. Its retention by Canaanites allowed continued foreign trade, culture, and especially pagan influences to infiltrate Asher's territory directly.
• "Zidon" (צִידוֹן - Tsidōn): One of the major Phoenician city-states, along with Tyre. Sidon was a formidable maritime power and a key center of Baal and Asherah worship. Asher's failure to conquer Sidon left a potent hub of idolatry virtually untouched on their border, a constant source of temptation and influence for the Israelites. The name Phoenician (Greeks) referred to these Canaanite coastal people, specifically associated with Sidon.
• "Ahlab" (אַחְלָב - Achlāḇ): The precise location is debated, but likely a settlement in the general vicinity of Asher's territory, inland or coastal.
• "Achzib" (אַכְזִיב - Akhzīḇ): A coastal town north of Acco, meaning "deceptive" or "lying." The irony is palpable: it represented a deceptive and disappointing outcome for Asher, whose territory remained incompletely possessed.
• "Helbah" (חֶלְבָּה - Ḥelḇāh): Exact location uncertain, likely within or bordering Asher's tribal lot.
• "Aphik" (אֲפִיק - Aphīq): Likely referring to a town called Aphek within Asher's boundaries (distinct from other Apheks like the one where the Philistines gathered). Its non-conquest further highlights the scattered nature of Asher's incomplete inheritance.
• "Rehob" (רְחוֹב - R'ḥoḇ): One of several places named Rehob, again indicating another pocket of un-conquered land within Asher’s inheritance.
• Significance of the cities: These specific cities, especially the coastal ones, show that Asher either lacked the military capacity or the will to take fortified, wealthy areas. Their presence meant ongoing exposure to foreign cults and commercial interests that prioritized profit over holy living, directly setting the stage for the religious apostasy that plagues Israel throughout the Judges period.

Judges 1 31 Bonus section

• Asher's Allotment vs. Reality: Asher's designated territory was extensive and included valuable coastal land. However, their inability or unwillingness to drive out the inhabitants, especially from powerful city-states, resulted in their living "among" the Canaanites (as noted for other tribes), a stark contrast to full possession and control. This incomplete settlement impacted their strength and religious integrity throughout Israel's history.
• Economic vs. Spiritual: The presence of major trade hubs like Acco and Sidon might have presented an economic temptation for Asher. Coexisting and levying tribute, or participating in trade with these strong Canaanite/Phoenician cities, could have seemed more expedient than total conquest, leading to a spiritual compromise for material gain, a pattern frequently condemned in scripture.
• Setting the Stage: The litany of "did not drive out" verses in Judges 1 serves as a deliberate narrative device to establish the theological premise for the entire Book of Judges: Israel's subsequent troubles, including the cycle of apostasy, servitude, and deliverance, were direct consequences of their foundational disobedience and failure to completely adhere to the covenant with God regarding the Promised Land.

Judges 1 31 Commentary

Judges 1:31 paints a picture of Israel's pervasive failure after Joshua's death, highlighting the tribe of Asher's specific disobedience to God's command to fully dispossess the Canaanites. Despite being allotted a rich and strategically important region, Asher, perhaps valuing perceived military difficulties or potential economic benefits from existing Canaanite trade networks, chose coexistence rather than complete expulsion. The unconquered cities, particularly the major pagan and commercial centers like Acco and Sidon, left open significant doors for foreign cultural and religious influences. This incomplete cleansing of the land had profound spiritual ramifications, allowing the very idolatry and immorality that God commanded to be removed, to take root among the Israelites. It demonstrates a critical lesson: partial obedience is, in God's eyes, disobedience, and compromises with the world or spiritual enemies inevitably lead to corruption and compromise of one's walk with God, foreshadowing the continuous cycle of sin and suffering described throughout the Book of Judges.