King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:12 Mean?

Joshua 17:12 in the King James Version says “Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · King James Version

Context

10

Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.

11

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.

12

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

13

Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.

14

And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?

Read Joshua 17 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land—The Hebrew lo yakol (לֹא יָכֹל, "could not") is ambiguous: did Manasseh lack ability, or lack will? Judges 1:27 uses identical language but verse 28 clarifies they later had power but chose tribute instead of expulsion. The phrase vayoel haKena'ani lashevet (וַיּוֹאֶל הַכְּנַעֲנִי לָשֶׁבֶת, "but the Canaanites were determined to dwell") emphasizes Canaanite persistence and Manassite failure.

This verse marks the beginning of compromise that would plague Israel for centuries. God had commanded complete conquest and destruction of Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 20:16-18) to prevent religious contamination. Manasseh's failure—whether from military inability, lack of faith, or pragmatic accommodation—violated direct divine command. The Canaanites' continued presence would lead to the exact consequences God warned against: idolatry, intermarriage, and spiritual apostasy (Judges 2:11-15; 3:5-7). Partial obedience is disobedience; compromise with sin inevitably leads to corruption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The fortified Canaanite cities Manasseh failed to conquer possessed sophisticated military technology, including chariots (17:16), which gave them significant advantage in valley warfare. Iron-working technology, which Canaanites and Philistines possessed but Israelites initially lacked (Judges 1:19; 1 Samuel 13:19-22), created a technological gap. However, God had promised to drive out inhabitants regardless of their military superiority (Exodus 23:27-30; Deuteronomy 7:17-24). The conquest under Joshua was largely successful in the hill country but incomplete in the valleys and coastal plains. This partial success/partial failure pattern would define the judges period (c. 1375-1050 BCE), when Israel oscillated between apostasy and deliverance. Archaeological evidence shows many Canaanite cities survived the conquest period and were only gradually absorbed into Israelite control over the following centuries.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Canaanites' (besetting sins, ungodly influences, worldly compromises) has God commanded you to 'drive out' but you have allowed to remain and dwell in your life?
  2. How does Manasseh's failure warn us that partial obedience—eliminating some sin while tolerating other sin—eventually leads to spiritual compromise?
  3. What enables you to distinguish between genuine inability and unwillingness in your obedience to God's commands?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְלֹ֤א1 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָֽכְלוּ֙2 of 13

“could”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 13

“Yet the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה4 of 13

“of Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לְהוֹרִ֖ישׁ5 of 13

“not drive out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת6 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הֶֽעָרִ֣ים7 of 13

“the inhabitants of those cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הָאֵ֑לֶּה8 of 13
H428

these or those

וַיּ֙וֹאֶל֙9 of 13

“would”

H2974

properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י10 of 13

“but the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

לָשֶׁ֖בֶת11 of 13

“dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּאָ֥רֶץ12 of 13

“in that land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּֽאת׃13 of 13
H2063

this (often used adverb)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 17:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 17:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 1:27-28Exodus 23:29-33Romans 6:12-14Joshua 16:10Numbers 33:52-56Joshua 15:63

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