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 1:35KJV
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Judges 1:35 (KJV)

What does Judges 1:35 mean?

Judges 1:35 describes how the Amorites continued to live in certain mountain areas—specifically mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim—even though the house of Joseph eventually became strong enough to force the Amorites to pay them tribute. The verse shows a situation where the Israelites did not fully drive out the Amorites but instead made them subject to forced payments.

This verse is part of a larger section where the book of Judges lists the incomplete conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes. The narrative explains that, although the tribe of Joseph (descendants of Joseph, mainly Ephraim and Manasseh) gained the upper hand ("prevailed") over the Amorites, they did not remove them completely but imposed a form of control by making them tributaries. This sets the stage for later issues Israel would face with the remaining Canaanite peoples.

The Hebrew behind Judges 1:35

  • "Amorites" (אֱמֹרִי, ʼĕmōrî) refers to one of the main Canaanite groups living in the land before Israel’s arrival. Their continued presence highlights the incomplete conquest.
  • "Prevailed" (כָּבֵד, kaved) often means "to be heavy" or "to become strong." Here, it suggests that the house of Joseph became powerful enough to dominate the Amorites, but not to remove them entirely.
  • "Tributaries" (מַס, mas) means forced laborers or people required to pay tribute. This indicates a relationship where the Amorites were subjugated but not expelled, showing a compromise rather than total victory.

Why Judges 1:35 matters

  • Judges 1:35 clarifies that Israel’s conquest of Canaan was not total; some groups, like the Amorites, remained and were only subdued economically or through forced labor.
  • The verse emphasizes the partial obedience of the Israelites, which becomes a recurring theme in Judges and leads to future difficulties with the remaining Canaanite peoples.
  • This detail connects to the broader narrative of Judges, where the incomplete conquest and coexistence with other peoples lead to cycles of conflict and spiritual decline.

Where else these words appear

“Shaalbim” Hebrew H8169 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 19:42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,
  • 1 Kings 4:9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:

“Aijalon” Hebrew H357 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
  • Judges 12:12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:13 Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:

“would” Hebrew H2974 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Judges 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
  • 2 Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

“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 1:33 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.
  • 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.