The Amorites persisted in dwelling in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the hand of the house of Joseph rested heavily on them, and they became subject to forced labor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is that the "house of Joseph" prevailing over the stubborn Amorites wasn't just a win for the tribe of Dan, but a crucial moment where the broader tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh stepped in to secure territory for their own brethren, effectively establishing their own dominance and turning the Amorites into a source of labor for them.
The Amorites persisted in dwelling in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the hand of the house of Joseph rested heavily on them, and they became subject to forced labor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Despite the Danites' struggles to fully conquer this region, the Amorites persisted in holding onto key areas like Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. However, the stronger forces of the House of Joseph (primarily the tribe of Ephraim) intervened, applying significant pressure and ultimately subduing the Amorites to the point where they became subject to forced labor. This intervention highlights both the ongoing challenges of the conquest and the ways in which the Israelite tribes sometimes supported one another, albeit with their own benefits in mind.
Israel was called to drive out the nations in Canaan, not live alongside them. But this verse shows a different reality.
The book of Judges reveals a recurring theme: Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to dispossess the Canaanites.
The phrase 'the hand of the house of Joseph rested heavily on them' sounds powerful, but what does it truly mean?
This verse highlights a crucial moment where the tribe of Dan, struggling against the Amorites, received help from the 'house of Joseph' (primarily the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh).
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Understand the original words
yad · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical expression representing power, agency, or divine strength. In Scripture, it is often associated with God’s power or the authority/capability of human leaders and tribes to achieve their objectives.
bayit Yoseph · Hebrew Noun phrase
Refers collectively to the tribes descended from Joseph—primarily Ephraim and Manasseh—who held a position of leadership and military significance among the tribes of Israel.
This passage highlights a critical moment where a specific tribe, Dan, couldn't fully conquer its allotted land, showing that the conquest wasn't as complete as ideal. It reveals the ongoing struggle for territory and the crucial role of other Israelite tribes, like the 'House of Joseph,' in asserting dominance and making the remaining inhabitants tributaries.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites under Joshua conquered much of Canaan, taking possession of the land promised by God.
c. 1375 BC
Death of Joshua
After the conquest, Joshua leads Israel in dividing the land. His death marks a transition where the Israelites begin to falter in fully obeying God's commands.
c. 1375 - 1075 BC
Period of the Judges
A cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance characterizes this era. Israel repeatedly falls away from God, leading to foreign domination, and then cries out for help.
c. 1300 BC— this verse
Amorites Resist Danite Occupation
The tribe of Dan struggles to secure its allotted territory, particularly in the fertile plains. The Amorites, still strong in key locations like Aijalon and Shaalbim, refuse to be fully driven out.
c. 1290 BC
House of Joseph Intervenes
The Ephraimites (part of the 'House of Joseph') come to the aid of the struggling Danites, applying pressure to the Amorite strongholds. This military action makes the Amorites subject to forced labor.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
Under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, Israel becomes a more unified and powerful kingdom, exerting greater control over its territories and former inhabitants.
This passage highlights that the tribe of Ephraim (part of the 'house of Joseph') also failed to completely drive out the Canaanites, showing a recurring theme of incomplete conquest and coexistence.
Judges 1:29This verse describes the tribe of Manasseh (also part of the 'house of Joseph') allowing the Canaanites to dwell among them, illustrating the 'house of Joseph's' broader pattern of not fully dispossessing the inhabitants, which led to them becoming tributaries or remaining a problem.
Psalm 106:34-36This psalm reflects on Israel's failure to destroy the nations as commanded, leading them to learn their ways and worship their idols, which directly parallels the consequence of the 'house of Joseph' not fully expelling the Amorites and subsequently being subject to forced labor from them or them becoming tributaries.
1 Kings 4:9This verse lists Aijalon and Shaalbim (mentioned in Judges 1:35) as being within the territory of Solomon's official, showing that these places, once held by the Amorites and later subdued by Joseph, eventually became integrated into Israelite administration.
wesleyJudges 1:35: "But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries."
1:35 House of Joseph - That is, of the Ephraimites, who helped their brethren the Danites against the Amorites.
gillJudges 1:35: "But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries."
But the Amorites would dwell in Mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim,.... And they would not suffer the Danites to dwell in the valley, a fruitful and delightful part of their country, terrifying them with their iron chariots, which in the vale they could make use of to great advantage; so neither would they let them dwell alo…
What's easily missed here is that the "house of Joseph" prevailing over the stubborn Amorites wasn't just a win for the tribe of Dan, but a crucial moment where the broader tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh stepped in to secure territory for their own brethren, effectively establishing their own dominance and turning the Amorites into a source of labor for them.
Despite the Danites' struggles to fully conquer this region, the Amorites persisted in holding onto key areas like Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. However, the stronger forces of the House of Joseph (primarily the tribe of Ephraim) intervened, applying significant pressure and ultimately subduing the Amorites to the point where they became subject to forced labor. This intervention highlights both the ongoing challenges of the conquest and the ways in which the Israelite tribes sometimes supported one another, albeit with their own benefits in mind.
Despite the Danites' struggles to fully conquer this region, the Amorites persisted in holding onto key areas like Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim. However, the stronger forces of the House of Joseph (primarily the tribe of Ephraim) intervened, applying significant pressure and ultimately subduing the Amorites to the point where they became subject to forced labor. This intervention highlights both the ongoing challenges of the conquest and the ways in which the Israelite tribes sometimes supported one another, albeit with their own benefits in mind.
"The Amorites persisted in dwelling in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the hand of the house of Joseph rested heavily on them, and they became subject to forced labor." — What's easily missed here is that the "house of Joseph" prevailing over the stubborn Amorites wasn't just a win for the tribe of Dan, but a crucial moment where the broader tribes of Ephraim and Mana…
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Last reviewed October 2026