Joshua 17:13

13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

Joshua 17:13 in Other Translations

13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.

13 Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

13 Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.

13 But later, when the Israelites got stronger, they put the Canaanites to forced labor. But they never did get rid of them.

13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they imposed forced labor on the Canaanites but did not drive them out completely.

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 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth ).

12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.

13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”

15 “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”

Cross References

• 1. Judges 1:27-28; Joshua 16:10