Judges 1:29 Meaning and Explanation
“Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Ephraim fails to drive out the Canaanites in Gezer, who go on living among them.
What Does Judges 1:29 Mean?
The refrain continues with Ephraim, who did not drive out the Canaanites dwelling in Gezer. Rather than being displaced, those Canaanites went on living among the tribe. The pattern set by Benjamin and Manasseh repeats once more.
Each repetition deepens the chapter's quiet lament. Tribe after tribe leaves its task unfinished, and the result is always the same: the people who should have been removed remain, dwelling alongside Israel. The steady drumbeat of these verses is meant to be felt. Incomplete obedience is not a single misstep but a spreading habit, and the close company of what God warned against would, in time, draw Israel's heart away. The seeds of later trouble are sown in these unfinished tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 1:29
What does Judges 1:29 mean?
Ephraim fails to drive out the Canaanites in Gezer, who go on living among them.