King James Version

What Does Judges 1:27 Mean?

Judges 1:27 in the King James Version says “Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitant... — study this verse from Judges chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Judges 1:27 · KJV


Context

25

And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

26

And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.

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.

28

And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.

29

Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean 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.

Manasseh's failure to drive out Canaanites from five major cities—Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo—represents strategic defeat with lasting consequences. These cities controlled the Jezreel Valley, the major east-west corridor through northern Israel connecting the coastal plain to the Jordan Valley. The phrase 'but the Canaanites would dwell' (vayo'el haKena'ani lashevet, וַיּוֹאֶל הַכְּנַעֲנִי לָשֶׁבֶת) uses ya'al (יָאַל, 'to consent, be willing, persist'), indicating Canaanite determination to retain territory despite Israelite pressure. This wasn't God refusing to give the land but Israel refusing to complete conquest.

Beth-shean controlled the eastern approach to Jezreel Valley and fords across the Jordan. Taanach and Megiddo guarded the western approach from the coastal plain into the highlands. Dor was a Mediterranean port. Ibleam controlled a pass into central highlands. Canaanite retention of these strategic sites fragmented Israelite territory, separating northern tribes from southern. This geographical-political fragmentation contributed to tribal disunity evident throughout Judges and eventually the kingdom's north-south division (1 Kings 12).

Theologically, Manasseh's failure illustrates the danger of tolerating strategic strongholds in Christian life. These cities weren't isolated villages but key positions controlling access and communication. Similarly, certain sins function as 'strategic strongholds' controlling access to other life areas—pride gates humility, lust gates purity, greed gates generosity. Tolerating such 'gatekeeping' sins allows enemy influence to fragment Christian discipleship, preventing integrated, comprehensive obedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The five cities Manasseh failed to conquer were major Late Bronze Age Canaanite strongholds. Megiddo, excavated extensively, reveals massive fortifications, palaces, and temples. The site controlled the Megiddo Pass (Wadi Ara), the main route from the coast into Jezreel Valley—strategically crucial for trade and military movements. Egyptian Pharaohs fought at Megiddo (Thutmose III's victory, 15th century BCE). Later, King Josiah died fighting Pharaoh Necho II there (2 Kings 23:29-30). The name's significance continues into Revelation—Armageddon (Har Megiddo, 'mountain of Megiddo') as final battle site (Revelation 16:16).

Beth-shean (Tel Beth-shean/Scythopolis) was heavily fortified with Egyptian presence during Late Bronze Age. Archaeological excavations uncovered Egyptian temples and administrative buildings. After Saul's death fighting Philistines, his body was displayed on Beth-shean's walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12), showing continued Canaanite-Philistine control even in early monarchy. David eventually subdued these areas, though full Israelite control remained tenuous.

These cities' Canaanite retention reflects both military challenges and incomplete obedience. Jezreel Valley's flat terrain favored Canaanite chariot warfare, explaining Israel's difficulty (v. 19 notes chariots prevented valley conquest). However, God had promised victory despite chariots (Joshua 17:18), and later Deborah-Barak defeated Sisera's chariots in this same region (Judges 4-5). Faith versus unbelief, not merely military technology, determined success.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'strategic strongholds' (gatekeeping sins) in your life control access to other areas and require priority warfare?
  2. How does Manasseh's tolerance of Canaanite 'gatekeepers' in key cities illustrate how partial obedience fragments spiritual unity?
  3. What geographical/social/relational spaces has God called you to possess but you've allowed worldly powers to retain control?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 32
H3808

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

הוֹרִ֣ישׁ2 of 32

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

מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה3 of 32

Neither did Manasseh

H4519

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

אֶת4 of 32
H853

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

בֵּית5 of 32
H0
שְׁאָ֣ן6 of 32

the inhabitants of Bethshean

H1052

beth-shean or beth-shan, a place in palestine

וְאֶת7 of 32
H853

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

בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ8 of 32

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת9 of 32
H853

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

תַּעְנַ֣ךְ10 of 32

nor Taanach

H8590

taanak or tanak, a place in palestine

וְאֶת11 of 32
H853

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

בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ12 of 32

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אֶת13 of 32
H853

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

לָשֶׁ֖בֶת14 of 32

dwell

H3427

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

ד֜וֹר15 of 32

of Dor

H1756

dor, a place in palestine

וְאֶת16 of 32
H853

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

בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ17 of 32

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת18 of 32
H853

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

לָשֶׁ֖בֶת19 of 32

dwell

H3427

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

יִבְלְעָם֙20 of 32

of Ibleam

H2991

jibleam, a place in palestine

וְאֶת21 of 32
H853

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

בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ22 of 32

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת23 of 32
H853

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

לָשֶׁ֖בֶת24 of 32

dwell

H3427

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

מְגִדּ֖וֹ25 of 32

of Megiddo

H4023

megiddon or megiddo, a place in palestine

וְאֶת26 of 32
H853

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

בְּנוֹתֶ֑יהָ27 of 32

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וַיּ֙וֹאֶל֙28 of 32

would

H2974

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

הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י29 of 32

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

לָשֶׁ֖בֶת30 of 32

dwell

H3427

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

בָּאָ֥רֶץ31 of 32

in that land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּֽאת׃32 of 32
H2063

this (often used adverb)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Judges 1:27 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 Judges 1:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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