Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Judges 1:33. It’s a really interesting and slightly surprising part of history! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where the people of Naphtali (a small region near Israel) didn't forcefully expel the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and Bethanath. Instead, they stayed among the Canaanites – a group of people living further south along the coast. However, they became dependent on the Canaanites for resources and support. Let’s unpack it: “Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants…” - This means Naphtali didn't actively try to get rid of the people in Bethshemesh or Bethanath. They weren't hostile. "...nor the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath…” – They simply chose to live near them. "...but he dwelt among the Canaanites…” - This is the key part. Naphtali settled in the land of the Canaanites, who were a large group of people living further south. “nevertheless…” – This is crucial. The verse continues to say that even though they stayed near the Canaanites, the people of Bethshemesh and Bethanath became tributaries to them. What does “tributary” mean? A tributary is someone who receives resources or support from another group. In this case, the Canaanites were providing for the people of Naphtali, essentially making them reliant on them. Why was this important? This story highlights a few things: Strategic Location: Naphtali's location near the coast made it vulnerable. They needed to find a way to stay safe and connected to a larger group. Power Dynamics: It suggests that the Canaanites held a significant amount of power in this region, and they weren’t just passively accepting the Naphtalian people. In short, this verse tells us about a peaceful coexistence, but also hints at a potential imbalance of power between Naphtali and the Canaanites. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide context for why this story is significant in biblical history?