King James Version

What Does Judges 1:34 Mean?

Judges 1:34 in the King James Version says “And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:”

Judges 1:34 · KJV

Context

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:

35

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. prevailed: Heb. was heavy

36

And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward. the going: or, Maalehakrabbim

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:

Dan's situation represents complete reversal—instead of Israel driving out Canaanites, Amorites drove Dan from their allotted territory. The Amorites 'forced' (vayilchatzu, וַיִּלְחֲצוּ from lachatz, לָחַץ, 'to press, oppress, afflict') Dan into mountains, preventing valley settlement. This verb appears elsewhere describing Egyptian oppression (Exodus 3:9) and various enemies' oppression during Judges (Judges 2:18, 4:3, 6:9, 10:12), indicating severe pressure and constraint. Dan couldn't possess their inheritance, reduced to highland refugees.

Dan's allotted territory (Joshua 19:40-48) included fertile Shephelah and coastal plain, prime agricultural land. However, Philistine expansion from the coast and Amorite resistance from entrenched positions made this territory unconquerable for Dan. Eventually, most of Dan migrated north to Laish/Leshem (Joshua 19:47, Judges 18), conquering a distant city and renaming it Dan. This migration represented both failure (abandoning promised inheritance) and pragmatic adaptation (securing alternative territory).

Theologically, Dan's displacement illustrates consequences of faithlessness. While other tribes tolerated Canaanites as tributaries, Dan couldn't even maintain possession, becoming oppressed minority in their own territory. Yet Dan's migration also shows how God works through human failure—northern Dan became important border city (the phrase 'from Dan to Beersheba' describing Israel's extent, Judges 20:1). However, Dan later led apostasy with Micah's idolatrous shrine (Judges 17-18) and Jeroboam's golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-30), showing how compromise compounds.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dan's original territory in the Shephelah put them in direct conflict with expanding Philistines. The Philistines (Sea Peoples) settled Canaan's coast c. 1175 BCE, establishing the Pentapolis (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron) and expanding into adjacent territories. Their superior iron technology, professional military, and organized city-state structure made them formidable opponents. Dan's small tribal size and inferior technology proved inadequate against Philistine pressure.

The Amorites mentioned here possibly represent Canaanite groups (the terms 'Amorite' and 'Canaanite' sometimes used interchangeably) or specific peoples in Dan's territory. The Amorites' ability to force Dan into mountains indicates well-organized resistance with effective military control of valleys and plains. Chariot forces effective in flat terrain couldn't be matched by Dan's infantry, explaining their highland refugee status.

Dan's migration north (Judges 18) solved immediate problems but created long-term spiritual disaster. The migrating Danites stole Micah's idols and established idolatrous worship at northern Dan (Judges 18:30-31), which continued until Assyrian captivity. Later, Jeroboam chose Dan as one of two sites for golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30), making it center of national apostasy. Dan's failure to possess original inheritance through faith led to seeking alternative territory through military prowess, establishing idolatry that plagued Israel for centuries. Incomplete obedience creates cascading consequences across generations.

Reflection Questions

  1. What promised 'inheritances' in your spiritual life have you abandoned due to opposition rather than persevering in faith?
  2. How does Dan's migration (pragmatic success but spiritual failure) illustrate the danger of redefining goals when God's original call seems too difficult?
  3. In what ways does God work redemptively even through human failure and disobedience, while still calling us to complete faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיִּלְחֲצ֧וּ1 of 11

“forced”

H3905

properly, to press, i.e., (figuratively) to distress

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֛י2 of 11

“And the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

אֶת3 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵי4 of 11

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָ֖ן5 of 11

“of Dan”

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

הָהָ֑רָה6 of 11

“into the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

כִּי7 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א8 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נְתָנ֖וֹ9 of 11

“for they would not suffer”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָרֶ֥דֶת10 of 11

“them to come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

לָעֵֽמֶק׃11 of 11

“to the valley”

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

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 1:34 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 1:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 19:47Judges 18:1

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