Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.

JUDGES 1:33KJV
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Judges 1:33 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:33 mean?

Judges 1:33 says that the tribe of Naphtali did not drive out the people living in Bethshemesh or Bethanath, but instead lived among the Canaanites who were already there. However, the people of Bethshemesh and Bethanath were made to pay tribute to Naphtali.

This verse describes a time after Israel entered the land of Canaan. The writer is explaining that Naphtali, one of the tribes of Israel, failed to fully remove the local Canaanite inhabitants from two towns as they had been instructed. Instead, Naphtali coexisted with these people but put them under forced payment, showing a compromise rather than complete obedience.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:33

  • "Drive out" (יָרַשׁ, yarash): This word means to dispossess or remove. Here, it highlights that Naphtali did not completely remove the original inhabitants, which was the expectation.
  • "Dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means to settle or live among. It shows that Naphtali chose to live side by side with the Canaanites rather than replacing them.
  • "Tributaries" (מַס, mas): This word refers to forced labor or paying tribute. It means the Canaanite inhabitants had to give regular payments or labor to Naphtali, showing a relationship of dominance but not full conquest.

Why Judges 1:33 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not all Israelite tribes fully carried out the command to remove the Canaanites, which sets up later problems in the book of Judges.
  • The mention of tribute (mas) shows a partial obedience—Naphtali gained some control but did not fully follow through, which is a recurring theme in this chapter.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why Canaanite influence remained strong in Israel for generations, shaping the challenges the Israelites faced later.

Where else these words appear

“Bethanath” Hebrew H1043 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 19:38 And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; nineteen cities with their villages.

“Bethshemesh” Hebrew H1053 · used in 19 verses

  • Joshua 15:10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
  • 1 Samuel 6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

“tributaries” Hebrew H4522 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 49:15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
  • Judges 1:35 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.
  • 1 Kings 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

“Naphtali” Hebrew H5321 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 1 Kings 15:20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.