When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a critical choice: when Israel had the strength to complete God's command to drive out the Canaanites, they chose instead to enslave them for labor. This wasn't just about keeping people around; it was a decision driven by convenience and profit that would ultimately compromise their faithfulness.
When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After initial victories and the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel were faced with the challenge of fully dislodging the Canaanites from the land they were promised. Instead of completely expelling the inhabitants as commanded, many tribes chose a shortcut, imposing forced labor on the Canaanites for their own convenience and profit. This compromise, driven by laziness and greed, would sow the seeds of future trouble, leaving a dangerous presence within their own borders.
Israel had the strength to completely remove the Canaanites, but instead, they chose a path of compromise. What does this choice reveal about their hearts?
The verse tells us that when Israel became strong, they didn't drive out the Canaanites; instead, they put them to 'forced labor' or 'tribute.' This sounds like victory, right? They were in control, making the original inhabitants serve them.
But the commentaries highlight that this was a compromise, driven by laziness and greed. It was easier to make the Canaanites work for them than to complete the difficult task of total expulsion. They saw an immediate benefit – labor and resources – but missed the long-term spiritual danger. This wasn't obedience; it was a shortcut that would prove disastrous.
Why would a people chosen by God choose to keep enemies of God among them? The reasons are surprisingly familiar.
The core issue here wasn't a lack of strength, but a lack of spiritual resolve. The commentaries point to two main culprits: sloth (ease) and covetousness (greed).
Ask a follow-up
This compromise set Israel on a dangerous path. Keeping these idolatrous people among them would inevitably lead to them learning their ways, corrupting Israel's faith and leading to future judgment, as the rest of Judges and the Bible makes clear.
Leaving enemies unchecked, even when subdued, has profound and lasting consequences. Israel's story is a stark warning.
The immediate benefit of subjugation – making the Canaanites work for them – masked a long-term spiritual disaster. The commentaries emphasize that this was not a settled matter, but a 'constant danger' to Israel's faith and morals.
By not completely driving them out, Israel allowed the 'worst abominations' of Canaanite culture to remain. This created an environment where idolatry and wicked practices could re-infect Israel. It's like leaving a known disease agent in your environment; eventually, it will spread. This compromise sowed the seeds for the cycle of sin, judgment, and repentance that defines the book of Judges.
Understand the original words
mac · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the labor imposed on conquered or subject peoples, often involving heavy, involuntary work. In Israel's history, it represented a failure to fully occupy the land according to God’s covenantal instruction, resulting in a compromised coexistence.
This verse captures a pivotal moment where Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to expel the Canaanites, choosing profit and ease instead, sets the stage for future spiritual compromise and oppression. It highlights how practical decisions, even seemingly minor ones, can have profound long-term consequences for faithfulness.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
After forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, finally cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan, as promised by God.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua's Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites achieve significant military victories, subduing many Canaanite cities and territories. However, the conquest is not complete, leaving some Canaanite populations in place.
c. 1375 BC
Death of Joshua and Elders
Joshua and the generation that experienced the Exodus and conquest die. Without their strong leadership, Israel's commitment to fully obeying God's commands begins to waver.
c. 1375 BC - 1350 BC— this verse
Israel Compromises with Canaanites
As the verse describes, even where Israel grew strong and could have expelled the remaining Canaanites, they chose to impose forced labor instead, driven by laziness and greed.
c. 1350 BC - 1075 BC
Cycle of Oppression and Deliverance
The lingering Canaanite presence and Israel's disobedience lead to cycles of oppression by surrounding nations, followed by God raising up judges to deliver them.
This passage directly highlights the same failure, showing that the Ephraimites also did not drive out the Canaanites from Gezer, allowing them to live among them, mirroring the disobedience seen in Judges.
Judges 2:2-3This immediate follow-up passage explains the severe consequences of not driving out the nations, revealing the broken covenant and the resulting snare and downfall for Israel.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2This foundational command from God explicitly warns Israel against showing any pity or making treaties with the Canaanites, emphasizing complete destruction as the only way to prevent spiritual corruption.
1 Kings 9:20-21Centuries later, this passage shows that remnants of the Canaanites were still present and were specifically used for forced labor by Solomon, demonstrating the long-term consequence of the initial disobedience.
Psalm 106:34-36This psalm recounts Israel's similar pattern of failing to destroy the nations, explicitly linking this failure to their later entanglement in idolatrous practices and their subsequent suffering.
bensonJudges 1:28: "And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out."
Jdg 1:28 . When Israel was strong they put the Canaanites to tribute — Herein they violated the law, whereby they were enjoined to destroy or expel that people when they were able. And as they were strong enough to impose tribute on them, they undoubtedly might have driven them entirely out of the land. But it cost them less trouble, and brought them more prof…
gillJudges 1:28: "And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out."
And it came to pass, when Israel was strong,.... All the tribes of Israel were become numerous, and able to drive the Canaanites out of the land everywhere, and particularly were able to assist Manasseh in expelling the Canaanites out of the above places, yet they did not; but all they did was: that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive…
This verse highlights a critical choice: when Israel had the strength to complete God's command to drive out the Canaanites, they chose instead to enslave them for labor. This wasn't just about keeping people around; it was a decision driven by convenience and profit that would ultimately compromise their faithfulness.
After initial victories and the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel were faced with the challenge of fully dislodging the Canaanites from the land they were promised. Instead of completely expelling the inhabitants as commanded, many tribes chose a shortcut, imposing forced labor on the Canaanites for their own convenience and profit. This compromise, driven by laziness and greed, would sow the seeds of future trouble, leaving a dangerous presence within their own borders.
After initial victories and the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel were faced with the challenge of fully dislodging the Canaanites from the land they were promised. Instead of completely expelling the inhabitants as commanded, many tribes chose a shortcut, imposing forced labor on the Canaanites for their own convenience and profit. This compromise, driven by laziness and greed, would sow the seeds of future trouble, leaving a dangerous presence within their own borders.
"When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely." — This verse highlights a critical choice: when Israel had the strength to complete God's command to drive out the Canaanites, they chose instead to enslave them for labor. This wasn't just about kee…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026