Joshua 17:12-13
Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is that the Canaanites chose to stay, not just that they couldn't be driven out. The text subtly highlights their persistence and will to remain, indicating a more active refusal to leave than a passive inability to be removed. This sets the stage for future conflict, as those left behind would become thorns in Israel's side.
The tribe of Manasseh, though assigned cities and territory, struggles to fully conquer the land. Despite Joshua's previous instructions to possess their inheritance and drive out the Canaanites, Manasseh falters, allowing the original inhabitants to remain. This sets the stage for a later complaint from the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) to Joshua, arguing they were given too small a portion and are hindered by these remaining Canaanites.
God’s instructions were clear: drive out the Canaanites completely. But Manasseh chose a different path. What happens when we don't fully obey?
In this passage, the tribe of Manasseh was given cities within their allotted territory, but they failed to fully expel the Canaanites who lived there. This wasn't just a military oversight; it was a direct defiance of God's command.
God's Mandate:
God had explicitly ordered the Israelites to "utterly destroy" the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). This wasn't about ethnic cleansing for its own sake, but about preventing the corrupting influence of Canaanite idolatry and practices from leading Israel astray.
Manasseh's Choice:
Instead of obedience, Manasseh opted for coexistence. They 'could not drive out' the inhabitants, a phrase that often masks an unwillingness or a lack of zeal. This compromise, driven by a desire for ease or perhaps economic benefit (as some suggest they later imposed tribute), had serious long-term consequences.
The Danger of Lingering Enemies:
Allowing the Canaanites to remain became a spiritual hazard. It exposed Israel to temptation and idolatry, ultimately leading to their own downfall in later generations. The failure to complete the task God assigned set a dangerous precedent.
Was Manasseh truly unable to conquer the remaining Canaanites, or was 'could not' a polite way of saying 'did not want to'?
The verse states that the children of Manasseh 'could not drive out' the Canaanites. However, the context and historical patterns suggest this wasn't a matter of absolute inability, but rather a failure of will, faith, or obedience.
Spiritual Inertia:
This phrase often points to a lack of spiritual fervor and a decline in faith. When the Israelites were zealous, they accomplished great victories. When their faith waned, they found themselves 'unable' to do what God had commanded.
Understand the original words
Kena'ani · Hebrew Noun
Inhabitants of the land of Canaan whom God commanded Israel to dispossess due to their idolatry and wickedness; they represent resistance to God's purpose for His people.
mas · Hebrew Noun
A term often used for servile labor or tribute exacted from a conquered or subjugated group, indicating power and authority over them.
The struggle of the tribe of Manasseh to fully possess their inheritance, as described in Joshua 17:12, reveals a common theme in the conquest: the Israelites' partial obedience led to the continued presence of Canaanites, who would later become a persistent problem and source of spiritual compromise.
c. 1406 BC
Israelites Enter Promised Land
Following Moses' death and Joshua's appointment as leader, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of Canaan, fulfilling God's promise.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land by Lot
The land of Canaan is systematically divided among the twelve tribes of Israel through the casting of lots, a process believed to be guided by God.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Manasseh's Inheritance Assigned
The tribe of Manasseh receives its allotted territory, which includes areas bordering other tribes like Issachar and Asher, and presents challenges in fully dislodging existing Canaanite populations.
c. 1390 BC
Canaanites Remain in Certain Areas
Despite significant Israelite victories, the Canaanite inhabitants of specific regions, particularly in fertile lowlands and fortified cities, successfully resist complete expulsion by several Israelite tribes, including Manasseh.
This passage shows that the tribe of Manasseh (and others) similarly failed to drive out the Canaanites from their allotted territories, leading to them remaining as a persistent problem.
Judges 1:28This verse describes the consequence of not fully driving out the Canaanites: they became forced laborers, illustrating the outcome of incomplete obedience and compromise.
Joshua 16:10This verse highlights a similar failure by the tribe of Ephraim (closely linked to Manasseh as the 'house of Joseph') to drive out the Canaanites, showing this was a recurring issue for the Joseph tribes.
Numbers 33:55This warning from God to the Israelites directly addresses the danger of allowing the original inhabitants to remain, stating they would become 'thorns in your eyes and pricks in your sides,' which is exactly what happened.
1 Kings 9:15-16This passage reveals that Solomon later had to use forced labor from the Canaanites who remained, showing the long-term consequences of the initial failure to fully expel them as commanded.
calvinJoshua 17:11-18: "And Manasseh 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, even three countries."
- And Manasseh 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…
clarkeJoshua 17:12: "Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land."
Could not drive out, etc. - They had neither grace nor courage to go against their enemies, and chose rather to share their territories with those whom the justice of God had proscribed, than exert themselves to expel them. But some commentators give a different turn to this expression, and translate the passage thus: But the children of Manasseh could n…
What's easy to miss here is that the Canaanites chose to stay, not just that they couldn't be driven out. The text subtly highlights their persistence and will to remain, indicating a more active refusal to leave than a passive inability to be removed. This sets the stage for future conflict, as those left behind would become thorns in Israel's side.
The tribe of Manasseh, though assigned cities and territory, struggles to fully conquer the land. Despite Joshua's previous instructions to possess their inheritance and drive out the Canaanites, Manasseh falters, allowing the original inhabitants to remain. This sets the stage for a later complaint from the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) to Joshua, arguing they were given too small a portion and are hindered by these remaining Canaanites.
The tribe of Manasseh, though assigned cities and territory, struggles to fully conquer the land. Despite Joshua's previous instructions to possess their inheritance and drive out the Canaanites, Manasseh falters, allowing the original inhabitants to remain. This sets the stage for a later complaint from the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) to Joshua, arguing they were given too small a portion and are hindered by these remaining Canaanites.
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The Choice to Coexist:
Commentators note that the Canaanites 'would dwell' in the land. This indicates their resolve to stay, and Manasseh's choice to let them, often in exchange for tribute later on. They chose a path of compromise over complete obedience and victory.
God's Power vs. Human Limits:
God had promised victory and provided the means. When Israel failed, it wasn't because God's power was insufficient, but because their own commitment and trust were lacking. Their 'inability' was a symptom of deeper spiritual issues.
c. 1350 BC onwards
Canaanites Integrated or Subjugated
Over time, some Canaanite populations are integrated into Israelite society through tribute or intermarriage, while others continue to pose threats, highlighting a failure to fully obey God's command for complete eradication.
"Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them…" — What's easy to miss here is that the Canaanites chose to stay, not just that they couldn't be driven out. The text subtly highlights their persistence and will to remain, indicating a more active r…
