And it came about when the sons of Israel became strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely.
Parallel translations
- WEB When the children of Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and didn’t utterly drive them out.
- KJV 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.
- BSB However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they put the Canaanites to forced labor; but they failed to drive them out completely.
- NKJV And it happened, when the children of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.
- NLT Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When Israel grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor rather than driving them out entirely. They chose convenience over full obedience.
Overview
Israel had the power to enslave the Canaanites but not the resolve to obey God's command to dispossess them. This compromise prioritized economic benefit over covenant faithfulness, leaving a spiritual snare in the land. The pattern warns that partial obedience tolerates what God commanded to be removed, and it highlights humanity's need for the decisive deliverance from sin accomplished in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Josh 16:10They didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this day, and have become servants to do forced labor.
- Phil 4:13I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- 2 Sam 3:1Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.
- Judg 1:28When Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and did not utterly drive them out.
- Judg 1:35but the Amorites would dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim. Yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became subject to forced labor.
- Deut 20:11–18It shall be, if it makes you answer of peace, and opens to you, then it shall be, that all the people who are found therein shall become forced laborers to you, and shall serve you.
- 2 Pet 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- 2 Chr 8:7–8As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel;
- Judg 1:33Naphtali didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth Anath; but he lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land. Nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and of Beth Anath became subject to forced labor.
- Eph 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
- Judg 1:30Zebulun didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites lived among them, and became subject to forced labor.
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Christ at the center
Joshua — the same name as Jesus, 'the LORD saves' — leads God's people into their inheritance, a shadow of the greater Joshua who brings us into the true rest and the promised land that remains.
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Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.