Joshua 17:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →As Israel grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor rather than driving them out as commanded.
What Does Joshua 17:13 Mean?
As Israel grew in strength, they did not drive out the Canaanites but instead subjected them to tribute, putting them to forced labor. They chose the easier compromise of profit over full obedience to the command they had been given.
This was the path of partial obedience, which is its own kind of disobedience. The Canaanites who remained would later become a snare, drawing Israel toward foreign worship. The lesson presses on every heart: half-finished obedience leaves a foothold for what God meant to remove. To settle for tribute where He commanded fullness is to trade lasting faithfulness for short-term gain, and such compromise rarely stays harmless for long.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 17:13
What does Joshua 17:13 mean?
As Israel grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor rather than driving them out as commanded.