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Judges 1:33
ESV Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, so they lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became subject to forced labor for them.
NIV Neither did Naphtali drive out those living in Beth Shemesh or Beth Anath; but the Naphtalites too lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, and those living in Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath became forced laborers for them.
NASB Naphtali did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; and the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath became forced labor for them.
CSB Naphtali did not drive out the residents of Beth-shemesh or the residents of Beth-anath. They lived among the Canaanites who were living in the land, but the residents of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served as their forced labor.
NLT Likewise, the tribe of Naphtali failed to drive out the residents of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. Instead, they moved in among the Canaanites, who controlled the land. Nevertheless, the people of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath were forced to work as slaves for the people of Naphtali.
KJV 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.

What does Judges 1:33 mean?

Naphtali's allotted territory sits at the northern end of Israel between Asher to the west and Manasseh to the east. As was the case with Asher, the people of Naphtali are said to have lived among the Canaanites instead of allowing the Canaanites to live among them. The language suggests that it was the Canaanites who allowed God's people to remain instead of the other way around. With each report, the tribes of Israel sound weaker and weaker in comparison to the people of the land.

All the same, the people of Israel grow stronger over time. Eventually, the people of the tribe of Naphtali grow strong enough enslave the Canaanites of a couple of the cities in their territory: Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. To be obedient to the Lord, however, the Naphtali tribe should have destroyed the Canaanites instead of making slaves of them (Deuteronomy 20:16–18). Canaanite culture was so thoroughly evil that God did not want His people taking on any of their ways. This, unfortunately, is exactly what will happen, much to Israel's harm.
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