Joshua 17 12

Joshua 17:12 kjv

Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

Joshua 17:12 nkjv

Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, but the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.

Joshua 17:12 niv

Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.

Joshua 17:12 esv

Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.

Joshua 17:12 nlt

But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these towns because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region.

Joshua 17 verses

Joshua 17 12 Meaning

Joshua 17:12 describes a failure by the tribe of Manasseh to fully obey the divine command to dispossess the inhabitants of the cities within their allotted territory. Despite God having given them the land, Manasseh failed to drive out the Canaanites, allowing them to continue living there. This marked a significant compromise and partial obedience in the conquest of the Promised Land.

Joshua 17 12 Context

Joshua chapter 17 details the allocation of land to the tribe of Manasseh, particularly the portion west of the Jordan River. Manasseh was given fertile and strategic territories. Verse 12 follows the specific naming of their border cities and mentions that Manasseh received several enclaves within the territory of Issachar and Asher (Josh 17:11). The historical context is the immediate aftermath of the initial military campaigns of the conquest, where Israel was commanded to dispossess all the Canaanite inhabitants from the land. This verse highlights a critical turning point and foreshadows the incomplete obedience that characterizes much of the book of Judges. It underscores Israel's failure to fully follow God's clear and repeated commands regarding the total expulsion or destruction of the idolatrous native populations, thereby risking the spiritual integrity of the nation.

Joshua 17 12 Word analysis

• Yet (וְלֹא, wĕlō’): Literally "and not" or "but not." This conjunction serves as a strong adversative, indicating a sharp contrast or opposition. It signifies that despite the extensive descriptions of land distribution (suggesting a completed inheritance) and God's powerful work in granting the land, a critical failure occurred. It sets up the narrative of incomplete obedience that defines the subsequent historical period.
• the people of Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, mənašše): Refers specifically to the tribe of Manasseh, one of the half-tribes descended from Joseph. This assignment of blame directly to the human agents emphasizes their responsibility and agency in the failure, rather than attributing it to God's inability or the Canaanites' insurmountable strength.
• could not drive out (לְהוֹרִישׁ, ləhōrīš): The verb "drive out" (יָרַשׁ, yarash) means to inherit, dispossess, or take possession. In the Hiphil causative form (Hiphil here ləhōrīš), it means "to cause to possess" or "to dispossess." While it states "could not," this "inability" often reflects a lack of will, faith, or perseverance, rather than an absolute lack of power from God. God had promised to drive out the inhabitants, and if Israel had trusted and obeyed, they would have been able. This points to a failure in relying on God's strength and an assessment of their own limited strength in comparison to the Canaanites' military might (e.g., iron chariots mentioned elsewhere in the chapter).
• the inhabitants (יֹשְׁבֵי, yōšəḇê): Refers to the "dwellers" or "residents." It indicates those who were firmly established in the cities and lands allotted to Manasseh. These were not transient populations but entrenched communities with defensive capabilities.
• of those cities (הֶעָרִים, he‘ārîm): The preceding verse (17:11) lists six specific cities: Beth Shean, Ibleam, Dor, En Dor, Taanach, and Megiddo, along with their surrounding villages. These were strategically important, often well-fortified, and rich areas. Their continued occupation by the Canaanites posed a significant and enduring threat.
• but the Canaanites (וַיּוֹאֶל הַכְּנַעֲנִי, wayyō’el hakkəna‘anî): "Canaanites" is a broad term for the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land, generally representing the various groups Israel was to dispossess. The Hebrew verb for "continued" here is יאל (ya'al), which literally means "to be pleased," "to be willing," "to consent," or "to determine." So, a more precise translation is "the Canaanites determined or were pleased to dwell." This strongly suggests the Canaanites asserted their right or preference to remain, and Manasseh effectively allowed or consented to their continued presence. This implies a conscious decision on the part of the Canaanites to resist expulsion and on Manasseh's part to accommodate or tolerate them.
• continued to dwell (לָשֶׁבֶת בָּאָרֶץ הַהִיא, lāšeḇeṯ bā’āreṣ hahî): "To sit" or "to remain settled" in that land. This highlights the permanent presence of the Canaanites, a direct contradiction to God's command for complete disinheritance. Their continued dwelling signified Israel's incomplete conquest and established a pattern of co-existence that would prove detrimental to Israel's spiritual life.

• "Yet...could not drive out...but...continued to dwell": This phrase captures the core message: despite the divine commission and God's provision, human failure ("could not drive out") resulted in the persistent presence of the enemy ("continued to dwell"). The wording reflects not just a passive failure but an active concession where the Manassites' inaction allowed the Canaanites to determine to remain, showcasing the enemy's resilience where Israel lacked resolve. This compromise established a pattern of disobedience that permeated later Israelite history, contrasting with God's clear command for total purification of the land.

Joshua 17 12 Bonus section

This verse stands as an early warning signal of Israel's tendency towards disobedience and compromise, a recurring theme throughout their history. It illustrates that merely inheriting God's blessings (the land) does not guarantee faithful living if His commands are not fully observed. The failure of Manasseh, and other tribes mentioned in Judges 1, highlights a critical distinction: God provides the victory, but Israel must act in faith to fully appropriate it. This spiritual lesson carries over to the New Covenant: believers are given victory over sin through Christ (Rom 6:14), but active engagement and "putting to death" the deeds of the flesh are required to experience that victory in daily life (Col 3:5). Just as the Canaanites became a snare to Israel, unconfessed sin and spiritual compromise become hindrances to the believer's walk with God, making a continued life of obedience and purification essential.

Joshua 17 12 Commentary

Joshua 17:12 reveals a crucial flaw in Israel's conquest: a partial, rather than complete, obedience to God's command. The tribe of Manasseh, despite being allotted extensive and fertile land, failed to dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of key cities within their territory. This was not a failure of God's power—He had promised to drive them out—but a failure of Israel's faith, courage, and perseverance. Their perceived inability ("could not drive out") likely stemmed from an unwillingness to fully trust God to overcome militarily superior foes, especially those with chariots of iron (as mentioned elsewhere in Josh 17). The subsequent reality, that the Canaanites "determined" or "were pleased to dwell," underscores that Manasseh's inaction essentially conceded their presence. This partial conquest left dangerous spiritual "pockets" within Israel's land, foreshadowing the cycles of apostasy, idolatry, and oppression described throughout the book of Judges. It serves as a profound biblical lesson on the consequences of compromising with sin or spiritual enemies, emphasizing that incomplete sanctification often leads to ongoing struggle and eventual compromise of faith.