Yehoshua 17:13

13 Yet it came to pass, when the Bnei Yisroel increased in chozek (strength) that they put the Kena’ani to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

Yehoshua 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 ) .

Yehoshua 17:13 In-Context

11 And Menasheh had in Yissakhar and in Asher Beit Sh’an and its towns, and Yivleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Ein-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, sheloshet (three) of Nafet.

12 Yet the Bnei Menasheh could not drive out the inhabitants of those towns; but the Kena’ani persisted dwelling in that land.

13 Yet it came to pass, when the Bnei Yisroel increased in chozek (strength) that they put the Kena’ani to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

14 And the Bnei Yosef spoke unto Yehoshua, saying, Why hast thou given me for a nachalah but one goral and one chevel (portion, lot) to inherit, seeing I am an am rav, forasmuch as Hashem hath blessed me hitherto?

15 And Yehoshua answered them, If thou be an am rav, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the Eretz HaPerizzi and HaRepha’im, if Har Ephrayim be too small for thee.