Joshua 17:13

13 It happened, when the children of Yisra'el had grown strong, that they put the Kana`anim to forced labor, and didn't utterly drive them out.

Joshua 17:13 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 17:13

Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxed
strong
Increased in numbers, and became superior to the Canaanites, not only those of the tribe of Manasseh, but of the other tribes also:

that they put the Canaanites to tribute;
they did not take away their lives, as they were commanded to do, but made them tributaries to them, which seems to arise from a covetous disposition, and done for the sake of gain:

but did not utterly drive them out;
which they were ordered to do, and could now have done; for if they were able to make them pay tribute to them, they had power sufficient to drive them out, or destroy them, and therefore broke the commandment of God, ( Deuteronomy 7:1 Deuteronomy 7:2 ) ( Deuteronomy 20:16 Deuteronomy 20:17 ) .

Joshua 17:13 In-Context

11 Menashsheh had in Yissakhar and in Asher Beit-She'an and its towns, and Yivle`am and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Ta`nakh and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, even the three heights.

12 Yet the children of Menashsheh couldn't drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Kana`anim would dwell in that land.

13 It happened, when the children of Yisra'el had grown strong, that they put the Kana`anim to forced labor, and didn't utterly drive them out.

14 The children of Yosef spoke to Yehoshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one part for an inheritance, seeing I am a great people, because hitherto the LORD has blessed me?

15 Yehoshua said to them, If you are a great people, go up to the forest, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzi and of the Refa'im; since the hill-country of Efrayim is too narrow for you.