Judges 1:27

The Failure to Complete the Conquest · Judges 1:27–36
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Translations

Modern
At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Manasseh did not dispossess those of Beth-shean and its villages, and Taanach and its villages, and those dwelling in Dor and its villages, and those dwelling in Ibleam and its villages, and those dwelling in Megiddo and its villages; for the Canaanite were determined to dwell in this land.
Latin
Manasses quoque non delevit Bethsan, et Thanac cum viculis suis, et habitatores Dor, et Jeblaam, et Mageddo cum viculis suis, cœpitque Chananæus habitare cum eis.

Original

Hebrew
English
At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.

Notes

This group of Canaanite cities extended from Dor on the Mediterranean to Beth-shan in the Jordan Valley. It effectively separated the northern tribes from those south of the Jezreel Valley. Similarly, several cities listed in the south (Judges 1:35) likely separated Judah from the northern tribes.

Mentions of Joseph's descendants (Judges 1:22, 35) highlight the northern tribes' failures to remove their enemies.

The tribes of Israel did not keep the covenant. Their complacency was rebellion against the Lord, as shown in the rest of the book of Judges.

The first prologue talks about how the tribes did not follow Joshua's farewell instructions (Joshua 23).

Theme notes and profiles

Oppression of God’s People

People

Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob

Places

Beth-shean: City in Manasseh, where Saul's body was displayed Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Dor: A Canaanite city, later allotted to Manasseh but not conquered Ibleam: A Levitical city in Issachar Megiddo: A strategic city in the Jezreel Valley Taanach: Canaanite city allotted to Manasseh, later a Levitical city

Glossary

Canaan, Canaanite Dor Ibleam Issachar, Tribe of Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Land Levitical Cities Megiddo, Megiddon Taanach Tribe of Dan Valley of Jezreel

Topics

Beth-Shean: Not Subdued Canaanites: Not Expelled Dor: Allotted to the Tribe of Manasseh, Although It Was Situated in the Territory of the Tribe of Asher Ibleam: A City of the Territory of the Tribe of Manasseh Israel: Under the Judges: The Original Inhabitants not Fully Expelled Taanach: Caananites not Driven From The Canaanites: Partially Subdued by Israel the Tribe of Manasseh: Could not Drive out the Canaanites but Made Them Tributary