Judges 1:34

Verse

The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill-country; for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley;

Bible in Basic English

And the children of Dan were forced into the hill-country by the Amorites, who would not let them come down into the valley;

Free Bible Version

The Amorites pushed the people of Dan back into the hill country—they did not let them come down into the lowlands.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the Amorites droue the children of Dan into the mountaine: so that they suffered them not to come downe to the valley.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

The people of the Amor people-group forced the people of the tribe of Dan to live in the hills. They did not allow them to come down and live on the plain.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The Amorites forced the tribe of Dan to live in the hill country, not allowing them to come down to the plain.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

The Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill country, for they would not allow them to come down to the valley;

Young's Literal Translation

And the Amorites press the sons of Dan to the mountain, for they have not suffered them to go down to the valley;

Context

The Failure to Complete the Conquest

³³Naphtali failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. So the Naphtalites also lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, but the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath served them as forced laborers.³⁴The Amorites forced the Danites into the hill country and did not allow them to come down into the plain.³⁵And the Amorites were determined to dwell in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. But when the house of Joseph grew in strength, they pressed the Amorites into forced labor.

Summary

This verse highlights the failure of the tribe of Dan to drive out the Amorites from the hill country, due to their lack of determination and faith in God's promises. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of incomplete obedience and compromise with the ways of the world. The tribe's disobedience led to them being oppressed and restricted in their territory, showing the importance of wholehearted commitment to God's commands. Ultimately, Judges 1:34 underscores the need for unwavering trust in God and reliance on His strength to overcome obstacles and enemies.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain,.... Into the mountainous part of the tribe of Dan; the most noted mountains in it were Sear and Baalah, which lay on the border of Judah, Jos 15:10; Joppa in this tribe was built on an high rock, and so Gibbethon, as its name seems to import, perhaps was built on a hill or mountain, as were the cities after mentioned: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley; which lay between Joppa and Caesarea, the plain of Sharon, in which were Lydda, Jamnia, &c. which belonged to their tribe, and they afterwards enjoyed; See Gill on Jos 19:48.