Judges 1:31

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither did Asher {H836} drive out {H3423} the inhabitants {H3427} of Accho {H5910}, nor the inhabitants {H3427} of Zidon {H6721}, nor of Ahlab {H303}, nor of Achzib {H392}, nor of Helbah {H2462}, nor of Aphik {H663}, nor of Rehob {H7340}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of 'Akko, Tzidon, Achlav, Akhziv, Helbah, Afik or Rechov;

Berean Standard Bible

Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob.

American Standard Version

Asher drove not out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 1:31 chronicles the failure of the tribe of Asher to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants from their allotted territory, specifically listing key coastal and northern cities such as Accho, Zidon, and others. This verse is part of a broader pattern in Judges 1, which details Israel's widespread incomplete obedience to God's command to drive out the indigenous peoples, thereby setting the stage for the cycles of spiritual compromise, idolatry, and oppression that characterize the subsequent narrative of the book.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 1 serves as a critical transition from the unified conquest under Joshua to the fragmented period of the judges. It meticulously details the varying degrees of success and, more often, failure of the individual Israelite tribes in securing their divinely allotted territories. The chapter begins by highlighting the significant victories of Judah and Simeon, who acted in concert and with God's help. However, the narrative quickly shifts to a litany of tribes—Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan—who "did not drive out" the inhabitants from their respective lands. Judges 1:31 is one such specific indictment, directly mirroring the structural pattern and thematic emphasis found in verses like [Judges 1:27](/judges/1-27 "Judges 1:27 - Manasseh's Failure") and [Judges 1:29](/judges/1-29 "Judges 1:29 - Ephraim's Failure"), underscoring a pervasive and systemic problem of incomplete obedience across Israel. This repeated failure to fully obey God's command foreshadows the spiritual decline and cycles of apostasy that will plague the nation throughout the era of the judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately following Joshua's death (c. 13th-12th century BCE) saw Israel transitioning from a nomadic, unified fighting force to a settled, tribal confederation. The Canaanite cities listed in Judges 1:31, such as Accho (modern Acre) and Zidon (Sidon), were significant urban centers, often heavily fortified and possessing advanced iron weaponry, which the Israelites initially lacked ([Judges 1:19](/judges/1-19 "Judges 1:19 - Judah's Inability to Dispossess with Iron Chariots")). Asher's territory was situated in the fertile coastal plain and northern hills, bordering the powerful Phoenician city-states, known for their maritime strength and pagan religious practices. The command to "drive out" the inhabitants was not merely about land acquisition but was fundamentally a theological imperative. It was intended to prevent religious syncretism and moral corruption, as the Canaanite cultures were characterized by idolatry, child sacrifice, and sexual immorality. Allowing these inhabitants to remain, therefore, represented a direct compromise with God's covenant stipulations and a grave spiritual danger.
* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme highlighted in Judges 1:31, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Incomplete Obedience**. Asher's failure to fully obey God's clear command to dispossess the Canaanites directly contradicts the divine mandate given in passages like [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Consequences of not driving out inhabitants") and [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to utterly destroy"). This partial obedience, rather than wholehearted devotion, leads directly to the **Consequences of Compromise**. By allowing these inhabitants to remain, Asher, like other tribes, sowed the seeds for future spiritual and social compromise, leading to intermarriage, idolatry, and oppression, as explicitly warned by the Angel of the LORD in [Judges 2:2-3](/judges/2-2 "Judges 2:2-3 - Angel of the LORD's Rebuke"). Furthermore, this failure resulted in a **Loss of Full Inheritance**. Though the land was divinely allotted, Asher did not fully possess its inheritance due to their lack of faith, resolve, or perhaps military might. The specific cities listed underscore the formidable challenge the Israelites faced but ultimately failed to overcome with God's promised help, thereby diminishing the full blessings of their promised land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **drive out (Hebrew, _yarash'_):** The Hebrew verb יָרַשׁ ( _yarash_ ) is central to this verse and the entire chapter. It carries a rich semantic range, meaning "to inherit," "to possess," or "to dispossess." In this context, it signifies the forceful expulsion of existing occupants to take complete and permanent possession of the land. The repeated use of "neither did X drive out" throughout Judges 1 underscores the pervasive nature of Israel's failure to fulfill this crucial divine mandate, which was essential for maintaining the purity of their covenant relationship with God and securing their full inheritance.
* **inhabitants (Hebrew, _yoshev'_):** The term יֹשֵׁב ( _yoshev_ ), meaning "dweller" or "inhabitant," emphasizes that the issue was not merely the land itself, but the people occupying it. These were not just nameless populations but specific groups with distinct cultures, religions, and practices that posed a direct threat to Israel's monotheistic faith and moral integrity. The command to drive them out was a divine judgment against their wickedness and a protective measure for Israel.
* **Accho, Zidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, Rehob:** These are specific geographical locations, not generic terms. Their inclusion underscores the concrete nature of Asher's failure. Accho (modern Acre) and Zidon (Sidon) were particularly significant coastal cities, deeply entrenched Phoenician centers with strong maritime and trade connections, often associated with Baal worship. The listing of these specific, often formidable, strongholds highlights the magnitude of the task and the extent of Asher's inability or unwillingness to fully conquer their allotted territory, despite God's promise of assistance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither did Asher drive out":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the theme of failure and incomplete obedience, mirroring the pattern seen with other tribes in Judges 1. It directly contrasts with the successes of Judah and Simeon earlier in the chapter, highlighting a widespread problem among the northern tribes. The "neither did" structure emphasizes a lack of action where action was commanded and expected.
* **"the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon":** These clauses specify two major, strategically important coastal cities within or bordering Asher's tribal allotment. Zidon, in particular, was a powerful Phoenician city-state, indicating that Asher either lacked the military might, the faith, or the resolve to conquer such formidable strongholds, or chose to live alongside them in compromise. The repetition of "the inhabitants of" stresses that the people, with their pagan practices, were the core issue.
* **"nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob":** This extended list further enumerates additional towns and regions within Asher's territory where the Canaanite inhabitants were allowed to remain. This comprehensive catalogue demonstrates that Asher's failure was not isolated to one or two difficult locations but was a pervasive issue across their tribal inheritance, indicating a systemic problem of incomplete obedience and perhaps a preference for peaceful coexistence over faithful conquest.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Judges employs several literary devices in Judges 1:31 and the surrounding verses to underscore the severity and pervasiveness of Israel's disobedience. **Anaphora** is prominently used, with the repeated phrase "Neither did [Tribe] drive out" appearing throughout the latter half of Judges 1 (e.g., [Judges 1:27](/judges/1-27 "Judges 1:27 - Manasseh's Failure"), [Judges 1:29](/judges/1-29 "Judges 1:29 - Ephraim's Failure"), [Judges 1:30](/judges/1-30 "Judges 1:30 - Zebulun's Failure"), [Judges 1:31](/judges/1-31 "Judges 1:31 - Asher's Failure"), [Judges 1:33](/judges/1-33 "Judges 1:33 - Naphtali's Failure"), [Judges 1:34](/judges/1-34 "Judges 1:34 - Dan's Failure")). This repetition creates a mournful **litany** or **catalogue** of failures, emphasizing the widespread nature of Israel's compromise and building a sense of impending doom. The specific naming of cities (Accho, Zidon, etc.) adds a layer of **realism** and **specificity**, grounding the theological failure in concrete geographical locations and highlighting the tangible consequences of their actions. This detailed account serves as a powerful **foreshadowing** device, setting the stage for the recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that define the entire book of Judges, demonstrating how initial disobedience inevitably leads to deeper spiritual decline.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 1:31 serves as a poignant theological statement about the nature of obedience and the consequences of compromise. God's command to dispossess the Canaanites was not a mere suggestion but a fundamental covenant requirement, essential for Israel's spiritual purity and the full realization of their inheritance. Asher's failure, mirrored by many other tribes, reveals a pervasive lack of faith and resolve, demonstrating that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, disobedience. This compromise allowed pockets of pagan influence to remain, which inevitably led to intermarriage, idolatry, and oppression, as explicitly warned by God. The theological lesson is clear: what we tolerate today can become a major stumbling block tomorrow, hindering our spiritual growth and preventing us from fully experiencing God's promised blessings. This sets the stage for the entire narrative of Judges, illustrating how Israel's unfaithfulness directly led to their cycles of suffering, serving as a cautionary tale for all who seek to walk faithfully with God.

* [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Consequences of not driving out inhabitants")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to utterly destroy")
* [Judges 2:2-3](/judges/2-2 "Judges 2:2-3 - Angel of the LORD's Rebuke")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Asher's failure to drive out the inhabitants of these cities offers profound and timeless lessons for believers today. Just as Asher was commanded to fully dispossess the Canaanites, we are called to engage in a spiritual warfare, driving out sinful habits, worldly influences, and unaddressed areas of compromise from our own lives and hearts. Partial obedience in our spiritual walk is perilous; leaving "pockets" of sin or unresolved issues can lead to ongoing struggles, temptations, and a diminished spiritual inheritance. What we tolerate today, whether it's a subtle compromise with worldly values, a lingering resentment, or an unconfessed sin, can become a major stronghold tomorrow, hindering our walk with God and preventing us from experiencing the fullness of His blessings. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: where are we holding back? Where are we settling for less than God's complete will? True spiritual victory and the enjoyment of our full inheritance in Christ require wholehearted, unwavering obedience and a steadfast reliance on God's power to overcome every spiritual stronghold.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does partial obedience in one area of our lives impact other areas of our spiritual walk?**
* **What "inhabitants" (sins, compromises, worldly influences) might we be tolerating in our own spiritual territories that God calls us to "drive out"?**
* **What role does faith play in fully "dispossessing" these spiritual strongholds, especially when the task feels overwhelming?**
* **How can we cultivate a heart of complete obedience, trusting God for victory where we feel overwhelmed by personal or societal challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important for Israel to "drive out" the inhabitants, rather than coexist peacefully?**

Answer: God's command to "drive out" the Canaanite inhabitants was absolutely critical and multi-faceted, not merely a matter of land acquisition. First, it was a mandate for **religious purity**. The Canaanites practiced idolatry, child sacrifice, and various forms of immorality, which God deemed an abomination. Allowing them to remain would inevitably lead to syncretism and apostasy, as explicitly warned in [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Warning against intermarriage") and later demonstrated in [Judges 2:2-3](/judges/2-2 "Judges 2:2-3 - Angel of the LORD's Rebuke"). Second, it was about **complete inheritance** of the land God had promised to Abraham's descendants ([Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Possess the land")). Third, it was an act of **divine judgment** against the Canaanites, whose wickedness had reached its full measure ([Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24 - Defilement of the land")). Finally, it served as a direct **test of Israel's obedience** and faithfulness to their covenant with Yahweh. Their failure to obey this command was a profound act of spiritual compromise that set the stage for centuries of trouble.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The repeated failure of Asher and other tribes to "drive out" the inhabitants of the land in Judges 1 powerfully illustrates humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey God's commands and fully secure His promised inheritance through their own strength. This spiritual deficiency points directly to the necessity of a greater deliverer. Jesus Christ is the true Israel, the one who perfectly fulfilled God's will, never compromising with the "inhabitants" of sin, death, or the world system. Where Israel failed to dispossess their enemies, Christ decisively triumphed over all spiritual principalities and powers, "disarming the powers and authorities" through His cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over spiritual powers")). He is the true inheritor of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Son as Heir of All Things")), and through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, He secures for His people a spiritual inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Kept in Heaven")). Furthermore, through the power of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sends, believers are now empowered to "drive out" the "inhabitants" of sin from their own lives, putting to death the deeds of the body ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Life by the Spirit")) and overcoming the world through faith in Him ([1 John 5:4](/1_john/5-4 "1 John 5:4 - Victory Over the World")). Thus, the failure in Judges 1:31 ultimately magnifies the complete and decisive victory achieved by Christ, enabling His followers to live in the spiritual freedom and full inheritance that Israel could not attain on its own.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 19:24

¶ And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

Joshua 19:30

Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.