Old Testament

Judges 1:33

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In Judges 1:33, we see that the tribe of Naphtali failed to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants from the cities of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

Naphtali didn't drive out the people of Beth-shemesh or Beth-anath. Instead, they lived among the Canaanites already in the land. However, the people of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became subject to them.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Judges 1:33, we see that the tribe of Naphtali failed to fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants from the cities of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. Instead of conquering these areas, they chose to coexist with the Canaanites. This decision led to the Canaanites becoming tributaries, meaning they were forced to pay tribute or taxes to the Israelites. This situation highlights a compromise in obedience to God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land. The Israelites were supposed to take full possession of the Promised Land, but by allowing the Canaanites to remain, they risked the influence of these foreign peoples on their faith and practices. This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of complete obedience to God's directives and the potential consequences of partial obedience.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 1:33 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine areas in our lives where we may be compromising our values or beliefs. Just as Naphtali allowed the Canaanites to remain, we should strive for complete obedience to God's will, avoiding any influences that may lead us away from our faith.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 1:33 teach about obedience to God?

Judges 1:33 illustrates the consequences of partial obedience to God's commands. The tribe of Naphtali failed to fully drive out the Canaanites from Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath, choosing instead to coexist with them. This compromise led to the Canaanites becoming tributaries, which signifies a failure to fully possess the Promised Land as God instructed. The verse serves as a reminder that incomplete obedience can lead to negative influences in our lives.

Why did Naphtali not drive out the Canaanites?

Naphtali's decision not to drive out the Canaanites from Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath may reflect a combination of fear, lack of faith, or a desire for coexistence. Instead of fulfilling God's command to conquer the land, they opted to live among the Canaanites, which ultimately compromised their faith and practices. This choice highlights the dangers of allowing outside influences to remain in our lives.

How can we apply Judges 1:33 to our lives today?

Judges 1:33 encourages us to reflect on areas in our lives where we may be compromising our values or beliefs. Just as Naphtali allowed the Canaanites to remain, we might be allowing negative influences or habits to persist. This verse challenges us to pursue complete obedience to God's will, ensuring that we eliminate anything that could lead us away from our faith and commitment to Him.

What are the consequences of compromising our faith?

Compromising our faith, as seen in Judges 1:33, can lead to negative influences that affect our spiritual lives. When we allow certain behaviors, beliefs, or relationships that contradict our faith to remain, we risk diluting our commitment to God. This can result in a weakened faith, confusion about our values, and ultimately, a distancing from God's will for our lives. The verse serves as a warning to strive for complete obedience.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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