Judges 1 35

Judges 1:35 kjv

But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.

Judges 1:35 nkjv

and the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim; yet when the strength of the house of Joseph became greater, they were put under tribute.

Judges 1:35 niv

And the Amorites were determined also to hold out in Mount Heres, Aijalon and Shaalbim, but when the power of the tribes of Joseph increased, they too were pressed into forced labor.

Judges 1:35 esv

The Amorites persisted in dwelling in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the hand of the house of Joseph rested heavily on them, and they became subject to forced labor.

Judges 1:35 nlt

The Amorites were determined to stay in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim, but when the descendants of Joseph became stronger, they forced the Amorites to work as slaves.

Judges 1 verses

Judges 1 35 Meaning

Judges 1:35 describes the partial and compromised outcome of the tribe of Joseph's (Ephraim and Manasseh) attempt to dispossess the Amorites from their inherited territory. Despite the initial persistence of the Amorites in significant strongholds like Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim, the tribe of Joseph, having been greatly blessed with strength, eventually managed to gain the upper hand. However, instead of fully expelling or destroying them as commanded by God, they merely subjected the Amorites to forced labor or tribute. This act signifies a practical compromise rather than complete obedience, setting a precedent for future failures of the Israelite tribes.

Judges 1 35 Context

Judges 1 serves as an introduction to the book of Judges, setting the stage for the recurring cycles of disobedience, oppression, cry for help, and deliverance. After Joshua's death, the tribes of Israel, led by Judah, initially inquire of the Lord who should go up first against the Canaanites. While Judah experiences some early success, the chapter quickly shifts to detailing the failures of the various tribes to completely drive out the inhabitants from their allocated territories, a direct violation of God's clear commands (e.g., Deut 7:1-5). Verse 35 specifically addresses the situation of the "house of Joseph," referring to the combined tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, known for their numerical and military strength. Their failure here, by reducing the Amorites to tribute rather than fully expelling them, demonstrates a practical compromise that ultimately fostered future idolatry and conflict within Israel. This compromise highlights the challenge of maintaining faithful obedience amidst perceived practical benefits.

Judges 1 35 Word analysis

• But: (Heb. vav) Connects the preceding account of Benjamin's failure (Jdg 1:21) with the different, yet still incomplete, outcome for the house of Joseph. It signals a shift in tribal focus.
• the Amorites: (Heb. ha-ʾĔmōrî) A prominent group among the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan, often used broadly for the mountain dwellers or original inhabitants. They represented a formidable, well-established presence in the land.
• persisted: (Heb. yāʾevu, from ya'av) Meaning "to be pleased," "to wish," or "to determine." Here, it implies a strong determination, a resolute refusal to be dislodged, showing their inherent strength and will to remain.
• in dwelling: (Heb. lāševeṯ, from yashav) "to sit," "to inhabit," "to settle." This signifies their continued, active residence in these strategic locations.
• in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: Specific, geographically significant strongholds within the tribal allocations, likely fortified and well-defended. Aijalon valley was a key strategic route. Mount Heres (also thought to be Beth-shemesh's region) and Shaalbim were nearby, controlling important passes.
• yet the hand of the house of Joseph: (Heb. wa-yêḏ bêt yôsēp̄) "and the hand of the house of Joseph." "Hand" is a metonym for strength, power, or dominion. "House of Joseph" refers to the powerful combined tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob's sons through Joseph, who inherited substantial and fertile territory. Their strength was blessed by Jacob (Gen 49:22-26) and Moses (Deut 33:13-17).
• was strong: (Heb. kāveḏ) Literally "heavy" or "weighty." In this context, it signifies power, effectiveness, dominance, and a superior force capable of overcoming.
• so that they became tributaries: (Heb. wa-yihyû lāmas) "and they became tribute/forced labor." This indicates that instead of complete expulsion or annihilation, the Amorites were subdued and put under Israel's servitude, paying taxes or providing compulsory labor. This was a deviation from God's command but seemingly beneficial from a human perspective for resources and labor.

Words-group analysis

• But the Amorites persisted in dwelling: This phrase highlights the defiant resistance of the indigenous people. Their determination to hold their ground shows the challenge Israel faced, despite God's promises. It indicates a conflict of wills—the Amorites' will to stay versus God's command for Israel to dispossess them.
• in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: These are not just random places, but specific, militarily important locations. Holding them allowed the Amorites to control strategic routes and exert influence, posing a continued threat to Israelite settlement and security.
• yet the hand of the house of Joseph was strong: This juxtaposes the Amorites' persistence with Joseph's power. It shows that Joseph did have the military capability to overcome them. The issue was not a lack of strength, but a failure of obedience regarding what to do with that strength.
• so that they became tributaries: This concluding phrase reveals the tragic compromise. Joseph did not fully obey the command to utterly drive out or destroy. Instead, they settled for economic exploitation. This outcome provided immediate benefits (labor, revenue) but allowed the spiritual danger of the pagan presence to linger, directly contributing to later idolatry and national struggles in Israel.

Judges 1 35 Bonus section

The region described, particularly Aijalon Valley, was a critical strategic location, part of the Shephelah (foothills) that formed a buffer zone between the coastal plain and the Judean hills. Control of these areas was vital for security and trade routes. This particular compromise by Ephraim and Manasseh regarding the Amorites aligns with Joshua 16:10, where Ephraim also failed to drive out the Canaanites in Gezer but subjected them to forced labor. This repetitive pattern of the most powerful tribes, like Judah and Joseph, failing in key areas underscores a broader national decline in obedience after Joshua's generation. The Amorites, due to this ongoing presence and other failures of dispossession (Jdg 3:5), continued to be a significant influence and a constant temptation for Israel to fall into idolatry and pagan practices.

Judges 1 35 Commentary

Judges 1:35 encapsulates a pivotal failure of the tribes of Israel, specifically the House of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh), setting a dark precedent for the entire period of the Judges. God's clear command was to completely drive out the Canaanite inhabitants to prevent the contamination of idolatry and evil practices within the land (Deut 7:1-5, Deut 20:16-18). The "Amorites persisted in dwelling" indicates their resilience and a strong counter-will to Israel's advance. Crucially, the verse states that "the hand of the house of Joseph was strong," emphasizing that their failure was not due to a lack of power or military capability, but a failure of resolve and obedience to God's specific instruction. Their strength was evident, yet it was employed to subdue for profit rather than to fully dispossess for purity. Reducing the Amorites to "tributaries" meant securing economic advantage and labor (a seemingly practical solution), but it also meant allowing pagan influence to remain embedded within the very heart of the promised land. This compromise inevitably led to cultural assimilation, intermarriage, and the worship of foreign gods, forming the destructive cycle seen throughout the book of Judges where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." It is a potent lesson that partial obedience, even when strength is demonstrated, falls short of God's perfect will and has severe long-term spiritual consequences.