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 1:31KJV
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Judges 1:31 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:31 mean?

Judges 1:31 states that the tribe of Asher did not drive out the people living in several cities, including Accho, Zidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob. This means the Asherites allowed the original inhabitants to remain in these places instead of taking full possession of the land as instructed.

This verse is part of a larger account describing how the Israelite tribes settled in Canaan after entering the land. The text lists specific towns and highlights the incomplete obedience of Asher, showing that they did not remove the local populations as commanded. This sets up later challenges Israel would face because of these remaining groups.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:31

  • אָשֵׁר (Asher, transliteration: Asher): This is the name of one of the tribes of Israel, emphasizing which group is being described in this verse.
  • יָשַׁב (yashav, transliteration: inhabitants): This word means "to dwell" or "to inhabit," focusing on the people already living in these cities, not just the places themselves.
  • יָרַשׁ (yarash, transliteration: out/drive out): This verb means "to dispossess" or "drive out," highlighting the action the tribe of Asher failed to complete.
  • Names like עַכּוֹ (Akko, transliteration: Accho), צִידוֹן (Tzidon, transliteration: Zidon), אַחְלָב (Ahlab), אַכְזִיב (Achzib), חֶלְבָּה (Helbah), אָפִיק (Aphik), and רְחֹב (Rehob) are all specific locations, showing the incomplete conquest was widespread, not limited to one area.

Why Judges 1:31 matters

  • Judges 1:31 clarifies that the failure to drive out the inhabitants was not just a general problem but affected many specific towns, showing the scale of incomplete obedience.
  • This verse helps explain later difficulties Israel faced with neighboring peoples, as these groups remained and influenced or opposed Israel in various ways.
  • The mention of well-known cities like Zidon (a major Phoenician port) hints at the significant cultural and political challenges the Israelites would encounter by not fully settling the land.

Where else these words appear

“Achzib” Hebrew H392 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 15:44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Micah 1:14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

“Aphik” Hebrew H663 · used in 9 verses

  • Joshua 12:18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
  • Joshua 19:30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.
  • 1 Kings 20:26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.

“Rehob” Hebrew H7340 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
  • Joshua 21:31 Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
  • 2 Samuel 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

“Zidon” Hebrew H6721 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • 2 Samuel 24:6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
  • Jeremiah 27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah;