Judges 1:27

27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and its towns nor Taanach and its towns nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns; but the Canaanite desired to dwell in that land.

Judges 1:27 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 1:27

Neither did Manasseh
One of the sons of Joseph before mentioned; and it respects that half tribe of Manasseh, which had its portion on this side Jordan in the land of Canaan: these did not

drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and
her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the
inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo
and her towns:
all which were places the half tribe had assigned them in Issachar and Asher; of which (See Gill on Joshua 17:11). This tribe seems to have been sluggish, and not to have exerted itself at all, or made any attempts to drive out these people:

but the Canaanites would dwell in that land;
not only desired it, but were determined on it, and rather chose to submit to a tribute than be expelled, at least would not depart unless they were forced.

Judges 1:27 In-Context

25 And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man go and all his family.

26 And the man went into the land of the Hittites and built a city and called the name of it Luz, which is its name unto this day.

27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and its towns nor Taanach and its towns nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns; but the Canaanite desired to dwell in that land.

28 And it came to pass when Israel was strong that they put the Canaanites under tribute but did not utterly drive them out.

29 Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanite that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanite dwelt in Gezer among them.