King James Version
What Does Judges 1:32 Mean?
“But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.”
Judges 1:32 · KJV
Context
30
Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.
31
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:
32
But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.
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.
34
And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryBut the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.
This verse's wording marks a tragic inversion from previous verses. Earlier, 'Canaanites dwelt among Israel' (v. 29-30), but here 'Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites.' The change is subtle but profound—instead of Asher maintaining dominance with Canaanites as minority, Canaanites remained dominant with Asherites as minority. The phrase 'inhabitants of the land' (yoshvei ha'aretz, יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ) emphasizes Canaanite possession and control. Asher didn't merely tolerate Canaanite presence; they accommodated themselves to Canaanite dominance.
This inversion represents complete failure—not just incomplete conquest but cultural-spiritual capitulation. Where God commanded Israel to possess the land, Asher instead became cultural minority in territory allotted to them. This foreshadows later northern tribes' complete assimilation into Canaanite religious practices, culminating in Baal worship becoming normative (1 Kings 16:31-33, 2 Kings 17:7-18). The progression from incomplete conquest to tolerance to accommodation to assimilation demonstrates how small compromises lead to complete capitulation.
Theologically, this warns Christians about cultural accommodation. While incarnational mission requires engaging culture, mission differs from assimilation. Christians are called to transform culture, not be transformed by it (Romans 12:2). Asher's dwelling 'among the Canaanites' rather than Canaanites dwelling 'among Israel' illustrates what happens when God's people prioritize cultural acceptance over distinct obedience. The church's saltiness and light (Matthew 5:13-16) require maintaining distinctive Christian identity while engaging world redemptively—extremely difficult balance requiring constant vigilance.
This verse's wording marks a tragic inversion from previous verses. Earlier, 'Canaanites dwelt among Israel' (v. 29-30), but here 'Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites.' The change is subtle but profound—instead of Asher maintaining dominance with Canaanites as minority, Canaanites remained dominant with Asherites as minority. The phrase 'inhabitants of the land' (yoshvei ha'aretz, יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ) emphasizes Canaanite possession and control. Asher didn't merely tolerate Canaanite presence; they accommodated themselves to Canaanite dominance.
This inversion represents complete failure—not just incomplete conquest but cultural-spiritual capitulation. Where God commanded Israel to possess the land, Asher instead became cultural minority in territory allotted to them. This foreshadows later northern tribes' complete assimilation into Canaanite religious practices, culminating in Baal worship becoming normative (1 Kings 16:31-33, 2 Kings 17:7-18). The progression from incomplete conquest to tolerance to accommodation to assimilation demonstrates how small compromises lead to complete capitulation.
Theologically, this warns Christians about cultural accommodation. While incarnational mission requires engaging culture, mission differs from assimilation. Christians are called to transform culture, not be transformed by it (Romans 12:2). Asher's dwelling 'among the Canaanites' rather than Canaanites dwelling 'among Israel' illustrates what happens when God's people prioritize cultural acceptance over distinct obedience. The church's saltiness and light (Matthew 5:13-16) require maintaining distinctive Christian identity while engaging world redemptively—extremely difficult balance requiring constant vigilance.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Asher's cultural-spiritual assimilation into Canaanite-Phoenician culture explains the tribe's virtual disappearance from later biblical history. Unlike Judah (dominant in south) or Ephraim (dominant in north), Asher features rarely after Judges. The tribe contributed to Gideon's army (Judges 6:35, 7:23) and supported David initially (1 Chronicles 12:36), but largely vanishes from subsequent narratives. This silence suggests complete assimilation into northern Canaanite-Phoenician culture, losing distinct Israelite identity.
The cultural power of Phoenician civilization made resisting assimilation extraordinarily difficult. Phoenician religious practices (Baal, Asherah, Anat worship), commercial customs, social structures, and language exerted constant influence. Intermarriage (explicitly forbidden, Deuteronomy 7:3-4, yet widespread, Judges 3:5-6) accelerated assimilation. Within few generations, Asherites likely spoke Phoenician dialects, adopted Phoenician customs, and participated in Phoenician religious practices while nominally remaining 'Israelite.'
However, faithful remnants persisted even in assimilated tribes. Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36) descended from Asher, showing the tribe maintained some covenant faithfulness through centuries. This demonstrates God's preserving grace—even in contexts of widespread apostasy, He maintains faithful witnesses (1 Kings 19:18, Romans 11:1-5). Asher's failure wasn't inevitable or total; individuals and families could maintain covenant faithfulness despite tribal-cultural pressures.
The cultural power of Phoenician civilization made resisting assimilation extraordinarily difficult. Phoenician religious practices (Baal, Asherah, Anat worship), commercial customs, social structures, and language exerted constant influence. Intermarriage (explicitly forbidden, Deuteronomy 7:3-4, yet widespread, Judges 3:5-6) accelerated assimilation. Within few generations, Asherites likely spoke Phoenician dialects, adopted Phoenician customs, and participated in Phoenician religious practices while nominally remaining 'Israelite.'
However, faithful remnants persisted even in assimilated tribes. Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36) descended from Asher, showing the tribe maintained some covenant faithfulness through centuries. This demonstrates God's preserving grace—even in contexts of widespread apostasy, He maintains faithful witnesses (1 Kings 19:18, Romans 11:1-5). Asher's failure wasn't inevitable or total; individuals and families could maintain covenant faithfulness despite tribal-cultural pressures.
Reflection Questions
- What areas of your spiritual life show progression from incomplete obedience to tolerance to accommodation to assimilation?
- How can Christians maintain distinctive biblical identity while engaging culture incarnationally without being assimilated?
- What indicators reveal whether Christians are transforming culture or being transformed by culture?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsיֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י1 of 9
“dwelt”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּקֶ֥רֶב3 of 9
“among”
H7130properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י4 of 9
“the Canaanites”
H3669a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֣י5 of 9
“dwelt”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּ֖י7 of 9
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א8 of 9
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֽוֹרִישֽׁוֹ׃9 of 9
“for they did not drive them out”
H3423to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Judges 1:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Judges 1:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge