The verse highlights that the Canaanites "persisted in dwelling in that land," implying not just passive occupation but an active and determined resolve to remain. This wasn't a passive defeat, but rather the Israelites allowing people they were commanded to expel to stay, choosing coexistence over obedience.
Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages, for the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger account detailing the Israelites' incomplete conquest of the Promised Land after Joshua's death. While some tribes were successful, others, like the half-tribe of Manasseh mentioned here, failed to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants from key strategic cities. This failure meant that the Canaanites persisted in these territories, setting the stage for future conflict and compromise as described later in the book of Judges.
The Israelites were called to completely conquer the Promised Land, but this passage shows a tribe that stopped short. What happens when obedience is partial?
In Judges 1:27, the tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out the Canaanites from several key cities. This wasn't a small oversight; it was a deliberate (or at least negligent) decision to coexist with a people whose culture and worship were explicitly forbidden by God.
The Command Was Clear
God's directive to Israel was absolute: 'You shall not show them mercy' (Deuteronomy 7:2). The goal wasn't just to displace the Canaanites, but to remove the corrupting influences that led to their detestable practices. Partial obedience, as seen with Manasseh, was a direct contradiction to God's command.
The 'Why' Matters
The text states, 'for the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.' This implies a few things:
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The cities Manasseh failed to conquer weren't random. They were strategic points that shaped the future of Israel. What does this teach us about the importance of confronting sin head-on?
The list of cities – Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo – represents a significant geographical area. These weren't just small villages; they were vital strongholds, some located on important trade routes and near fertile plains.
Fortresses of Influence
The Ripple Effect of Compromise
By leaving these Canaanite strongholds intact, Manasseh created a persistent 'thorn' in their side. This allowed Canaanite culture, idolatry, and influence to remain deeply embedded within the land God had given them. The consequence wasn't immediate destruction, but a slow erosion of Israel's distinctiveness and faithfulness.
This shows us that seemingly small compromises, especially in spiritually significant areas or influential spheres, can have long-lasting and detrimental effects.
Understand the original words
Menashsheh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The tribe descended from Joseph's elder son; it was one of the largest tribes and held territory on both sides of the Jordan River. Their failure to purge their assigned territory of pagan influence is a recurring theme in the book of Judges.
Kena'aniy · Hebrew Proper Noun
The indigenous people of the land of Canaan, descendants of Noah’s grandson Canaan. In the Bible, they represent the idolatrous, pagan cultures that Israel was commanded by God to drive out to maintain holiness and prevent spiritual apostasy.
yashab · Hebrew Verb
A reference to physical inhabitants who have settled or remained in a location. In a theological sense, the refusal of these peoples to leave or of Israel to drive them out symbolizes spiritual compromise and failure to fully obey God's mandate for the land.
This passage highlights a critical failure in the Israelite conquest, where the tribe of Manasseh, like others, allowed Canaanite populations to remain in key strategic locations. This compromise, driven by a mix of remissness, avarice, and perhaps a desire for easier coexistence, sowed the seeds for future conflict and spiritual compromise throughout the period of the Judges.
c. 1480 BC
Egyptian Conquest of Canaan
Thutmose III of Egypt campaigns in Canaan, listing strategic cities like Megiddo and Taanach among his conquests. This marks a period of intense foreign influence and control over the region.
c. 1350 BC
Amarna Letters Discovered
Clay tablets from Amarna, Egypt, mention cities like Megiddo, revealing political turmoil and shifting allegiances among Canaanite city-states just before the Israelite conquest.
c. 1400-1200 BC
Israelite Conquest of Canaan
Led by Joshua, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer the Promised Land, a process that extends over many years and encounters fierce resistance from Canaanite city-kings.
c. 1200 BC— this verse
Joshua's Death and Partial Conquests
Following Joshua's death, the tribes of Israel are tasked with completing the conquest of Canaan, but many fail to drive out the remaining inhabitants as commanded by God.
c. 1100 BC
Philistine Consolidation
The Philistines establish dominance along the coast, becoming a significant threat to the Israelites. Their eventual victory over Saul near Beth-shean highlights the ongoing challenges to Israelite control.
This passage directly parallels Judges 1:27, noting that Manasseh 'did not drive out the inhabitants of the land,' but instead the Canaanites 'remained in that land' and became forced laborers.
Exodus 23:31-33This speaks to the overarching command God gave Israel regarding the Canaanites, warning them not to make covenants or allow the people to dwell in their land, which directly relates to Manasseh's failure in Judges 1:27.
Judges 2:1-5This passage describes the angel of the Lord's rebuke to Israel for failing to drive out the inhabitants of the land, highlighting the consequences of their disobedience that stemmed from failures like the one seen in Judges 1:27.
Romans 6:12-13Paul uses the imagery of not letting sin reign in our mortal bodies, much like Israel was commanded not to let the Canaanites dwell in their land; it's a call to actively resist forces that want to take root and dominate.
Judges 1:30This verse shows a similar failure with the tribe of Zebulun, who also did not drive out the inhabitants of their cities, demonstrating a pattern of incomplete conquest and disobedience across different tribes.
wesleyJudges 1:27: "Neither did Manasseh 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: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land."
1:27 Manasseh - That is, that half of this tribe which dwelt in Canaan.
jfbJudges 1:27: "Neither did Manasseh 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: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land."
27-36. The same course of subjugation was carried on in the other tribes to a partial extent, and with varying success. Many of the natives, no doubt, during the progress of this exterminating war, saved…
The verse highlights that the Canaanites "persisted in dwelling in that land," implying not just passive occupation but an active and determined resolve to remain. This wasn't a passive defeat, but rather the Israelites allowing people they were commanded to expel to stay, choosing coexistence over obedience.
This verse is part of a larger account detailing the Israelites' incomplete conquest of the Promised Land after Joshua's death. While some tribes were successful, others, like the half-tribe of Manasseh mentioned here, failed to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants from key strategic cities. This failure meant that the Canaanites persisted in these territories, setting the stage for future conflict and compromise as described later in the book of Judges.
This verse is part of a larger account detailing the Israelites' incomplete conquest of the Promised Land after Joshua's death. While some tribes were successful, others, like the half-tribe of Manasseh mentioned here, failed to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants from key strategic cities. This failure meant that the Canaanites persisted in these territories, setting the stage for future conflict and compromise as described later in the book of Judges.
"Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villag…" — The verse highlights that the Canaanites "persisted in dwelling in that land," implying not just passive occupation but an active and determined resolve to remain. This wasn't a passive defeat, but r…
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Last reviewed October 2026
