Joshua 17:13

13 Yet it came to pass when the sons of Israel waxed strong that they put the Canaanite under tribute, but did not 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 And Manasseh also had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns and Ibleam and her towns and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, three provinces.

12 But the sons of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; to the contrary the Canaanite desired to dwell in that land.

13 Yet it came to pass when the sons of Israel waxed strong that they put the Canaanite under tribute, but did not utterly drive them out.

14 And the sons of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people and that the LORD has blessed me as such until now?

15 And Joshua answered them, If thou art such a great people, then go up to the forest and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzite and of the giants, if mountain of Ephraim is too narrow for thee.