So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out. So the AsheritesThe Asherites refer to the descendants of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. The tribe of Asher was allotted a portion of land in the northern part of Canaan, which was known for its fertile soil and abundance. Historically, the tribe of Asher was known for its prosperity and agricultural wealth, as prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:20. However, their prosperity may have contributed to their complacency in fully obeying God's command to drive out the Canaanites. lived among
The phrase "lived among" indicates a coexistence or mingling with the Canaanite inhabitants. This suggests a failure to fully separate from the pagan influences that God had commanded the Israelites to eradicate. The Hebrew root word here is "yashab," which means to dwell or settle. This implies a level of comfort and acceptance of the Canaanite presence, which would later lead to spiritual and cultural compromises. the Canaanite inhabitants of the land
The Canaanites were the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, a region that God had promised to the descendants of Abraham. They were known for their idolatrous practices and morally corrupt culture, which were in direct opposition to the laws and commandments given to the Israelites. The presence of the Canaanites posed a significant threat to the spiritual purity and distinctiveness of the Israelite community. because they did not drive them out
This phrase highlights the disobedience of the Asherites in failing to fulfill God's command to completely drive out the Canaanites from the land. The Hebrew word for "drive out" is "yarash," which means to dispossess or expel. This failure to act in accordance with God's instructions resulted in the Israelites being influenced by the Canaanite culture and religious practices, leading to a cycle of sin and judgment throughout the book of Judges. The Asherites' inability or unwillingness to drive out the Canaanites serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of partial obedience and the consequences of allowing ungodly influences to remain in one's life. Persons / Places / Events 1. AsheritesA tribe of Israel, descendants of Asher, one of Jacob's sons. They were allotted land in the northern part of Canaan but failed to fully possess it. 2. CanaanitesThe original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, known for their idolatrous practices and opposition to the Israelites. 3. The Land of CanaanThe Promised Land that God had given to the Israelites, which they were commanded to conquer and inhabit. 4. Failure to Drive OutThe event where the Asherites did not fully obey God's command to drive out the Canaanites, leading to cohabitation. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe Asherites' failure to drive out the Canaanites highlights the importance of complete obedience to God's instructions. Partial obedience can lead to spiritual compromise and negative consequences. Influence of Surrounding CultureLiving among the Canaanites exposed the Asherites to idolatry and pagan practices. Christians today must be vigilant about the influence of secular culture and ensure it does not lead them away from their faith. Consequences of DisobedienceThe Asherites' disobedience had long-term effects, leading to spiritual and physical challenges. This serves as a reminder that disobedience to God can have lasting repercussions. God's Faithfulness Despite Human FailureDespite the failures of the Israelites, God remained faithful to His covenant. This encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness even when they fall short. Bible Study Questions 1. What were the specific reasons the Asherites failed to drive out the Canaanites, and how can we apply this understanding to our spiritual battles today? 2. How does the presence of the Canaanites among the Asherites illustrate the dangers of compromising with sin in our lives? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are fully obedient to God's commands, avoiding the pitfalls of partial obedience? 4. How can the account of the Asherites and Canaanites inform our approach to engaging with secular culture while maintaining our Christian values? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of disobedience. How did you see God's faithfulness in that situation, and what did you learn from it? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:1-5God commands the Israelites to completely destroy the Canaanite nations to avoid being led astray by their practices. Joshua 13:13Similar to the Asherites, other tribes also failed to drive out the inhabitants, leading to future conflicts and spiritual compromise. Judges 2:1-3The Angel of the Lord rebukes Israel for not obeying God's command to drive out the inhabitants, resulting in them becoming a snare. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Asherite, Asherites, Canaanite, Canaanites, Dispossessed, Drive, Driving, Dwelleth, Dwelt, Expel, Inhabitants, MidstDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:27-35 7259 promised land, later history Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:32 NIVJudges 1:32 NLTJudges 1:32 ESVJudges 1:32 NASBJudges 1:32 KJV
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