Yet the children of Manasseh couldn’t drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 12. Could, because they would not. Judges 1:27. The children of Manasses took these cities; but not putting the inhabitants to death, the latter got possession again, as was the case with respect to many other cities taken ( Calmet.) and destroyed ( Bible.) by Josue. Hebrew “the Chanaanites consented to dwell,” and so forth The Israelites spared their lives on their paying tribute; and this prevarication was the cause of their being afterwards reduced to submit to the yoke of these nations. Calmet. Judges 2:20. Deuteronomy 20:16. Menochius.—The Chanaaites dwelt with Manasses for a time; ( Worthington.) perhaps they were never wholly expelled. Bible.