Judges 1:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither did Naphtali {H5321} drive out {H3423} the inhabitants {H3427} of Bethshemesh {H1053}, nor the inhabitants {H3427} of Bethanath {H1043}; but he dwelt {H3427} among {H7130} the Canaanites {H3669}, the inhabitants {H3427} of the land {H776}: nevertheless the inhabitants {H3427} of Bethshemesh {H1053} and of Bethanath {H1043} became tributaries {H4522} unto them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Naftali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beit-Shemesh or Beit-'Anat but lived among the Kena'ani living in the land; however, the inhabitants of Beit-Shemesh and Beit-'Anat became forced labor for them.

Berean Standard Bible

Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers.

American Standard Version

Naphtali drove not out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became subject to taskwork.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 1:33 records the failure of the tribe of Naphtali to fully obey God's command to dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants from their allotted territory, specifically Bethshemesh and Bethanath. Instead of driving them out entirely, Naphtali settled for a compromise, allowing the Canaanites to remain in the land, albeit as forced laborers or "tributaries." This act of partial obedience highlights a pervasive theme in the opening chapters of Judges, foreshadowing the spiritual and social decay that would plague Israel throughout the period, as their compromise with pagan cultures inevitably led to apostasy and divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 1:33 is part of a somber catalog (Judges 1:27-36) detailing the various Israelite tribes' incomplete conquest of Canaan following the death of Joshua. This section immediately follows a brief account of Judah and Simeon's relative success in their initial campaigns (Judges 1:1-20) and the failure of the Benjamites (Judges 1:21). The repeated phrase "but did not drive them out" or similar expressions underscores a consistent pattern of disobedience across the tribes, setting a pessimistic tone for the entire book. This failure stands in stark contrast to the triumphant narratives of conquest found in [the book of Joshua](/joshua/1 "Joshua - The Conquest of Canaan"), establishing the spiritual decline that necessitates the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, and deliverance that defines the subsequent chapters of [Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Angel of the Lord's Rebuke").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in Judges 1 immediately follows the initial conquest led by Joshua, a time when the Israelite tribes were settling into their respective land allotments. God's command, repeatedly given (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy"), [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Destroying the Nations of the Land")), was to utterly dispossess or destroy the indigenous Canaanite populations to prevent their idolatrous practices from corrupting Israel's monotheistic faith. The Canaanites were polytheistic, engaging in fertility cults, child sacrifice, and other abominable practices. Bethshemesh ("house of the sun") and Bethanath ("house of Anath") were likely cultic centers dedicated to their respective deities, indicating strong pagan influence. Allowing these inhabitants to remain, even as tributaries, meant living in close proximity to, and being constantly exposed to, these corrupting influences, which was precisely what God sought to prevent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Partial Obedience and Compromise**. Naphtali's decision to make the Canaanites tributaries, rather than driving them out, was a strategic and economic compromise that directly defied God's explicit command for complete disinheritance. This partial obedience, while seemingly pragmatic, was fundamentally an act of disobedience. Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**. The phrase "he dwelt among the Canaanites" immediately signals the negative outcome. This cohabitation inevitably led to spiritual syncretism and apostasy, as seen throughout the book (e.g., [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Idolatry")). Thirdly, it exemplifies the **Failure to Dispossess**, a recurring lament in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquest"). This widespread failure among the tribes was not merely a military shortcoming but a profound spiritual lapse—a lack of faith in God's power and a disregard for His holy character and covenant requirements.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Drive out (Hebrew, _yarash'_):** The Hebrew verb יָרַשׁ (_yarash_) means "to inherit, take possession of, dispossess, drive out." In the context of the conquest, it carries the strong connotation of completely expelling the previous inhabitants to fully take possession of the land. Naphtali's failure to "drive out" signifies a direct contradiction of God's command and a failure to fully claim their inheritance through faith and obedience.
* **Dwelt among (Hebrew, _yashav'_):** The Hebrew verb יָשַׁב (_yashav_) means "to sit, dwell, inhabit." The phrase "he dwelt among the Canaanites" is highly significant. It indicates a reversal of God's intention; instead of Israel dispossessing the Canaanites, the Israelites settled down *with* them. This cohabitation was the root cause of much of Israel's future idolatry and moral decay, as it facilitated the assimilation of pagan practices.
* **Tributaries (Hebrew, _mas'_):** The Hebrew word מַס (_mas_) refers to forced labor, corvée, or a levy/tax. While it implies a degree of Israelite dominance and economic benefit, it falls short of the divine command for complete expulsion. This arrangement, though seemingly practical, allowed the spiritual and cultural contamination of the Canaanites to persist within the land, becoming a snare for Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath;":** This opening clause immediately states Naphtali's primary failure. Despite being allotted their territory in the northern part of Canaan (Joshua 19:32-39), they did not fulfill the divine mandate to completely expel the existing Canaanite populations from these specific cities. This highlights a lack of faith and resolve, mirroring the failures of other tribes mentioned in this chapter.
* **"but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land:":** This phrase underscores the direct consequence of their failure to drive out the inhabitants. Instead of being distinct and separate, Naphtali chose to cohabitate with the very people God commanded them to remove. This compromise was a dangerous spiritual concession, guaranteeing ongoing exposure to the idolatrous and immoral practices of the Canaanites, which would inevitably corrupt Israel.
* **"nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.":** This final clause describes the nature of the compromise. Naphtali did not simply ignore the Canaanites; they subjugated them, forcing them into labor or taxation. While this demonstrated a degree of military superiority and provided economic benefit, it was not the full obedience God required. This "tributary" status was a pragmatic solution that prioritized worldly gain over spiritual purity, ultimately proving to be a spiritual snare for the tribe and the nation.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 1:33 employs several literary devices to convey its significant message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as this verse echoes the recurring phrase "did not drive out" seen throughout [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquest") (e.g., Judges 1:27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32). This consistent repetition emphasizes the widespread nature of Israel's disobedience and the collective failure of the tribes to fulfill God's command, building a cumulative sense of disappointment and impending judgment. There is also a clear **Contrast** between God's explicit command to utterly dispossess the Canaanites and Naphtali's chosen action of dwelling among them and making them tributaries. This stark contrast highlights the tension between divine will and human compromise. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that will characterize the entire book of Judges. Naphtali's failure to cleanse their land of pagan influences directly sets the stage for the spiritual decline and divine judgment described in subsequent chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 1:33 is a profound theological statement on the nature of obedience, compromise, and the consequences of spiritual impurity. It underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for a people set apart, unadulterated by the pagan practices of the surrounding nations. The failure to fully dispossess the Canaanites was not merely a military oversight but a direct affront to God's covenant requirements, revealing a lack of faith in His power and a preference for pragmatic solutions over divine commands. This compromise with sin, even when seemingly beneficial (like receiving tribute), inevitably leads to spiritual decay and ultimately provokes divine discipline, as the "snare" of the Canaanites would become a recurring theme in Israel's history. The verse serves as a timeless warning against partial obedience and the dangers of allowing worldly influences to coexist with spiritual commitment.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Destroy Nations")
* [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-3 - Angel of the Lord's Rebuke")
* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 1:33 serves as a powerful cautionary tale for believers today, mirroring the spiritual struggles we face in our own lives. Just as Naphtali failed to "drive out" the Canaanites, we are often tempted to allow "inhabitants" of sin, worldly mindsets, or ungodly influences to remain in our hearts and lives. These might be habits we tolerate, attitudes we excuse, or relationships that compromise our faith. Partial obedience, where we do "enough" but stop short of complete surrender, can feel convenient or even beneficial in the short term, much like the economic gain from tributaries. However, this verse reminds us that such compromise inevitably leads to spiritual entanglement and a diluted faith. True spiritual vitality and freedom come not from managing sin, but from decisively "driving it out" through the power of the Holy Spirit, pursuing full obedience to God's commands, and recognizing that anything that draws us away from Him is a snare. We are called to be set apart, not to dwell among the "Canaanites" of our culture, but to transform it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Canaanites"—habits, attitudes, or influences—am I allowing to remain as "tributaries" in my life, rather than fully dispossessing them?**
* **In what areas of my life am I practicing partial obedience instead of complete surrender to God's will?**
* **How does compromising with worldly values or sinful patterns hinder my spiritual growth and my walk with God?**
* **What steps can I take today to "drive out" those influences that are not honoring to God, trusting in His power for complete victory?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important for Israel to "drive out" the inhabitants, rather than just making them tributaries?**

Answer: God's command to "drive out" or utterly destroy the Canaanite inhabitants (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - God's Command to Destroy")) was primarily for the spiritual preservation of Israel. The Canaanites practiced idolatry, child sacrifice, and various immoral acts that were an abomination to the Lord. Allowing them to remain, even as subjugated tributaries, meant constant exposure to these corrupting influences. God knew that cohabitation would inevitably lead to syncretism, where Israel would adopt Canaanite gods and practices, thereby breaking their covenant with Him. The "tributary" arrangement, while economically advantageous, was a spiritual compromise that prioritized material gain over spiritual purity and covenant faithfulness, ultimately leading to the cycles of apostasy and judgment seen throughout [the book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Angel of the Lord's Rebuke").

**Did any tribes fully succeed in driving out the Canaanites from their territory?**

Answer: The opening chapters of Judges present a largely grim picture of incomplete conquest. While some tribes, like Judah and Simeon (Judges 1:1-20), experienced initial successes and demonstrated more resolve, no tribe is recorded as having completely driven out all the inhabitants from their entire allotted territory. The repeated refrain "but did not drive them out" (e.g., Judges 1:27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33) highlights the pervasive failure. This widespread disobedience is precisely why the Angel of the Lord rebukes Israel in [Judges 2:1-5](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-5 - Angel of the Lord's Rebuke"), stating that because they did not obey, God would not drive out the remaining nations, and they would become "thorns in your sides."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 1:33, with its lament of Naphtali's partial obedience and the enduring presence of the "Canaanites," powerfully foreshadows the spiritual battle that humanity faces and the ultimate, complete victory achieved in Christ. The Israelites' failure to fully dispossess their enemies reflects humanity's inability to fully conquer sin and its corrupting influences through human effort or compromise. The "Canaanites" represent the indwelling sin and worldly powers that seek to enslave us, just as the pagan inhabitants became a snare to Israel. However, unlike Naphtali, Jesus Christ achieved a complete and decisive victory over all spiritual enemies. He did not merely make sin a "tributary" but utterly disarmed and triumphed over the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ "drove out" the dominion of sin and death, offering true spiritual freedom and the power to live a life of full obedience (Romans 6:6-7). The New Covenant believer, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is empowered to "put to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13) and to "not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2), fulfilling the spiritual "driving out" that Israel failed to accomplish. In Christ, we inherit a kingdom where evil is ultimately vanquished, and we are called to live as a people set apart, anticipating the day when every enemy, including death, will be finally destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26).

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.