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.