The Tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Asher, the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant (Genesis 30:12-13). Asher's inheritance was located in the northern part of the Promised Land, a region known for its fertile land and abundant resources, stretching along the Mediterranean coast from Mount Carmel to the territory of Sidon (Joshua 19:24-31).

Failure to Fully Drive Out the Canaanites

Despite the divine mandate given to the Israelites to conquer and possess the land of Canaan, the Tribe of Asher did not fully drive out the Canaanite inhabitants from their allotted territory. This failure is documented in the Book of Judges: "Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco or Sidon, or Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Aphik, or Rehob. So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out" (Judges 1:31-32).

The presence of the Canaanites among the Asherites had significant implications. The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption, which posed a spiritual threat to the Israelites. The failure to remove these influences as commanded by God led to periods of syncretism and idolatry among the Israelites, as they were often tempted to adopt the religious practices of the surrounding nations.

Divine Command and Consequences

The command to drive out the Canaanites was clear and was reiterated multiple times in the Pentateuch. In Exodus 23:31-33, God instructed the Israelites: "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you" .

The failure of Asher and other tribes to fully obey this command resulted in ongoing struggles and conflicts with the remaining Canaanite populations. The Israelites' incomplete obedience led to cycles of oppression and deliverance, as recorded throughout the Book of Judges. The presence of Canaanite strongholds within Israel's borders served as a constant reminder of the consequences of partial obedience to God's commands.

Cultural and Historical Context

The geographical location of Asher's territory, with its proximity to major Canaanite cities and trade routes, may have contributed to the tribe's challenges in driving out the inhabitants. The Canaanites in this region were well-established and fortified, making it difficult for the Asherites to fully conquer them. Additionally, the economic benefits of coexisting with the Canaanites, who were skilled in trade and agriculture, may have further dissuaded the Asherites from complete expulsion.

Legacy and Lessons

The account of the Tribe of Asher serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of incomplete obedience to God's commands. It highlights the importance of faithfulness and the consequences of allowing worldly influences to persist within a community dedicated to God. The narrative of Asher's failure to drive out the Canaanites underscores the need for vigilance and commitment to God's instructions, as well as the potential for divine grace and redemption despite human shortcomings.Judges 1:31,32
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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... to tell all that shall happen to the tribe till the ... Asher"Concerning two Faces of
Vice and Virtue ... by themselves might show that the writer did not believe in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... when constructing their defences did not confine themselves ... neighbourhoods where
one predominant tribe is concentrated ... of these populations had not been carried ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... and Dan, why did he remain in ships?"Asher sat still at ... that the people of Judah
aided the tribe of Simeon ... port of Joppa; but these tribes did not succeed in ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... isolated districts, and by thus restricting each tribe to a ... these gods as fully as
they did that of ... owning several chiefs, enabled the rulers, not of Babylon ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

What can we learn from the tribe of Asher? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Asher in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the twelve tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus