Biblical References:
Ahlab is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. The reference to Ahlab is found in Judges 1:31: "Asher failed to drive out the residents of Acco or of Sidon, Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Ahlab is identified as a city within the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher. The precise location of Ahlab is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been situated in the northern part of ancient Israel, possibly near the coastal region. The mention of Ahlab alongside other cities such as Acco and Sidon suggests its proximity to these well-known locations, which were significant in the ancient Near East due to their strategic and economic importance.

Tribal Significance:
The tribe of Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Asher, the eighth son of Jacob and second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. The territory of Asher was located in the northern part of Canaan, along the Mediterranean coast. Despite its fertile land and potential for prosperity, the tribe of Asher struggled to fully possess and control its allotted inheritance, as indicated by the failure to drive out the inhabitants of Ahlab and other cities.

Theological Implications:
The mention of Ahlab in the context of Judges 1:31 highlights a recurring theme in the Book of Judges: the incomplete conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites. The failure of the tribe of Asher to drive out the inhabitants of Ahlab and other cities reflects a broader pattern of disobedience and compromise among the Israelites. This disobedience led to the Israelites living among the Canaanites, which often resulted in the adoption of pagan practices and idolatry, contrary to God's commands.

The narrative of Ahlab serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's instructions. The Israelites' inability to fully possess the land as commanded by God is seen as a consequence of their lack of faith and failure to rely on God's strength. This theme is echoed throughout the Book of Judges, where the cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance is a central motif.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:
While there is limited archaeological evidence specifically identifying Ahlab, the broader region of ancient Asher has yielded findings that provide insights into the cultural and historical context of the time. The coastal area was known for its trade and interaction with neighboring cultures, including the Phoenicians, who were renowned for their seafaring and mercantile activities. This interaction may have influenced the cultural and religious practices of the inhabitants of Ahlab and surrounding cities.

Conclusion:
Ahlab, though briefly mentioned in the biblical text, serves as a significant example of the challenges faced by the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of compromise with surrounding pagan cultures. The account of Ahlab and the tribe of Asher is a testament to the enduring struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptations of the world.Ahlab

made of milk, or of fat; brother of the heart

Ahlab

(fertile), a city of Asher from which the Canaanites were not driven out. (Judges 1:31)

Fatness, a town of Asher lying within the unconquered Phoenician border (Judges 1:31), north-west of the Sea of Galilee; commonly identified with Giscala, now el-Jish. AHLAB

a'-lab ('achlabh, "fat or fruitful"): A town of Asher. It is clear, however, that the Israelites failed to drive away the original inhabitants (Judges 1:31). Some have identified Ahlab with Gush Halab or Geschila, Northwest of the Sea of Galilee.

303. Achlab -- a city assigned to Asher
... 302, 303. Achlab. 304 . a city assigned to Asher. Transliteration: Achlab
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-lawb') Short Definition: Ahlab. ... Ahlab. ...
/hebrew/303.htm - 6kAhlab (1 Occurrence)
...AHLAB. a'-lab ('achlabh, "fat or fruitful"): A town of Asher. ... Some have identified
Ahlab with Gush Halab or Geschila, Northwest of the Sea of Galilee. ...
/a/ahlab.htm - 7k

Ahi'tub (15 Occurrences)
Ahi'tub. Ahitub, Ahi'tub. Ahlab . Multi-Version Concordance Ahi'tub (15
Occurrences). ... Ahitub, Ahi'tub. Ahlab . Reference Bible.
/a/ahi'tub.htm - 9k

Zidon (25 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:31 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 ...
/z/zidon.htm - 17k

Rehob (12 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:31 Asher didn't drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants
of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob ...
/r/rehob.htm - 13k

Accho (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 1:31 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 ...
/a/accho.htm - 7k

Aczib (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:31 Asher didn't drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants
of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob ...
/a/aczib.htm - 7k

Achzib (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:31 Asher didn't drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants
of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob ...
/a/achzib.htm - 10k

Aphek (9 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:31 Asher drove not out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of
Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob ...
/a/aphek.htm - 11k

Ahlai (2 Occurrences)

/a/ahlai.htm - 7k

Aphik (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 1:31 Asher didn't drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants
of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob ...
/a/aphik.htm - 8k

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