Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 17:12
Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
12. Yet the children of Manasseh ] Comp. Jdg 1:27-28.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. Could not drive out, &c.] They had neither grace nor courage to go against their enemies, and chose rather to share their territories with those whom the justice of God had proscribed, than exert themselves to expel them. But some commentators give a different turn to this expression, and translate the passage thus: But the children of Manasseh could not (resolve) to destroy those cities, but the Canaanites consented to dwell in the land. And as they were willing to pay tribute, and the others chose to tolerate them on those terms, they agreed to dwell together: but this paying of tribute seems not to have taken place till some time after, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
See Poole “Jos 15:63“.
Would dwell; were resolved to fight, rather than be turned out of their ancient habitations.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12, 13. Yet the children of Manassehcould not drive out those citiesprobably due to indolence, alove of ease. Perhaps a mistaken humanity, arising from a disregardor forgetfulness of the divine command, and a decreasing principle offaith and zeal in the service of God, were the causes of theirfailure.
Jos17:14-18. THE CHILDRENOF JOSEPH ASKFOR ANOTHER LOT.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out [the inhabitants] of these cities,…. Mentioned in Jos 17:11; they had not strength at first to do it, or either were negligent and slothful, and suffered them to dwell among them, and did not take the advantage they might have done; and afterwards it was too late, they became too strong and numerous for them, at least for a time:
but the Canaanites would dwell in the land; whether they would or not.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12. Could not drive out See on Jos 15:63; Jos 16:10.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. And it was so that when the children of Israel were grown strong they put the Canaanites to taskwork and did not utterly drive them out.’
This summary, like those in Jos 15:63; Jos 16:10, summarises the failure of Israel. At first they could not drive out the Canaanites. That was excusable. The Canaanites were too strong and insisted on staying in the land (‘would stay in the land’). But then in each case the opportunity arose and they failed to take advantage of it. Thus when they did for a while obtain control over the cities they took advantage of it to make gains for themselves rather than driving out the Canaanites. Their failure to do so would result in compromise and breach of the covenant through fraternising with the debased Canaanite religion. Compromise and greed are two ever present enemies for the Christian.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 12. Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out, &c. They were unable through negligence, from a want of valour and confidence in the divine promises, and because God, to punish them, refused them that protection and success of which they had rendered themselves unworthy. Jdg 2:19. See Waterland’s Script. Vind. part 2: p. 69. To destroy a city, signifies often to destroy its inhabitants; and to be unable to do a thing is sometimes put for being unwilling to do so. So Gen 29:8; Gen 34:14; Gen 34:31.
Note; (1.) If we lose the opportunity that God puts in our power, when we would afterwards succeed it is too late. (2.) Ephraim’s conduct probably led them into this step; so easily do we follow the bad examples of others, and plead them for our exculpation.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! do not overlook the general feature of Israel in this particular. They suffered the Canaanites to remain among them. Alas! even now, in the blessed times of reformation, and the renewal of the Holy Ghost in the Lord Jesus, how do the Lord’s people groan under the body of sin and death they carry about with them. Rom 7:18 , etc.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 17:12 Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Ver. 12. Could not drive out. ] As their fathers could not enter the promised land, so neither could they possess it, “because of unbelief.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
could not drive out. Compare Jos 15:63; Jos 16:10; and see Exo 23:31. Deu 7:2, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jos 15:63, Jos 16:10, Exo 23:29-33, Num 33:52-56, Jdg 1:27, Jdg 1:28, Rom 6:12-14
Reciprocal: Jos 5:1 – Canaanites 1Ki 9:21 – not Psa 106:34 – did not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
17:12 Yet the children of Manasseh {g} could not drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
(g) For at first they lacked courage, and later agreed with them on condition, contrary to God’s commandment.