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. At that timeThis phrase situates the events in the period following Joshua's death, during the early years of the Judges. It was a time of transition and incomplete conquest, reflecting Israel's struggle to fully possess the Promised Land. Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants
The tribe of Manasseh, one of the sons of Joseph, was allotted a significant portion of land. Their failure to drive out the inhabitants indicates a lack of faith and obedience to God's command to fully conquer the land (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). This failure set a precedent for future disobedience and idolatry. of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo,
These cities were strategically located in the Jezreel Valley and along trade routes, making them economically and militarily significant. Archaeological evidence shows these were well-fortified Canaanite cities. Megiddo, in particular, is notable for its later association with Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). and their villages;
The mention of villages indicates the broader region around these cities was also affected. The Canaanites' presence in these areas meant that their culture and religious practices continued to influence the Israelites. for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.
The Canaanites' determination highlights the spiritual and physical battle Israel faced. Their persistence symbolizes the ongoing struggle against sin and compromise. This resistance foreshadows the Israelites' future challenges with idolatry and assimilation into pagan cultures, which would lead to cycles of judgment and deliverance throughout the book of Judges. Persons / Places / Events 1. ManassehOne of the tribes of Israel, named after one of Joseph's sons. They were allotted land on both sides of the Jordan River. 2. Beth-sheanA city in the territory of Manasseh, known for its strategic location and later as a significant city in the time of King Saul and King David. 3. TaanachAnother city in the territory of Manasseh, often mentioned in conjunction with Megiddo. 4. DorA coastal city that was part of the territory of Manasseh, known for its maritime significance. 5. IbleamA lesser-known city in the territory of Manasseh, mentioned in the context of the tribe's failure to drive out the Canaanites. 6. MegiddoA significant city in ancient Israel, known for its strategic military importance and later as the site of several biblical battles. 7. CanaanitesThe original inhabitants of the land, known for their idolatrous practices and opposition to the Israelites. Teaching Points Incomplete Obedience Leads to CompromiseThe failure of Manasseh to drive out the Canaanites illustrates the danger of partial obedience to God's commands. This compromise led to the Israelites being influenced by the Canaanite culture and idolatry. The Importance of Spiritual VigilanceJust as the Israelites were called to be vigilant in driving out the Canaanites, Christians are called to be vigilant in removing sin and worldly influences from their lives. Consequences of DisobedienceThe Israelites' failure to fully obey God resulted in ongoing struggles and conflicts. This serves as a reminder that disobedience can have long-term consequences in our spiritual lives. Trusting in God's StrengthThe Israelites' failure to drive out the Canaanites may have stemmed from relying on their own strength rather than trusting in God's power. Believers are encouraged to rely on God’s strength in overcoming challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. What were the specific cities that Manasseh failed to drive out, and why is this significant in the context of Israel's history? 2. How does the failure of Manasseh to drive out the Canaanites relate to God's commands in Exodus 23:31-33? 3. In what ways can incomplete obedience to God’s commands lead to spiritual compromise in our lives today? 4. How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's strength rather than our own when facing challenges? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of disobedience. How did it affect your relationship with God, and what did you learn from it? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 17:11-13This passage provides additional context to the failure of Manasseh to drive out the Canaanites, highlighting the incomplete obedience of the Israelites. Exodus 23:31-33God’s command to the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land to avoid being led into idolatry, which underscores the importance of complete obedience. Judges 2:1-3The Angel of the Lord rebukes Israel for not driving out the inhabitants, leading to consequences that affect their relationship with God. People Abednego, Achsah, Adonibezek, Ahiman, Amalekites, Amorites, Anak, Anath, Arad, Arba, Asher, Asherites, Benjamin, Benjamites, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Danites, Debir, Edomites, Hittites, Hobab, Israelites, Jebusites, Joseph, Joshua, Kenaz, Manasseh, Naphtali, Naphtalites, Othniel, Perizzites, Rehob, Sheshai, Simeon, Simeonites, Talmai, Zebulun, ZidonPlaces Acco, Achzib, Ahlab, Aijalon, Akrabbim, Aphik, Arad, Ashkelon, Beth-anath, Bethel, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Bezek, Debir, Dor, Ekron, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeah, Hebron, Helbah, Hormah, Ibleam, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arba, Kiriath-sepher, Kitron, Luz, Megiddo, Mount Heres, Nahalol, Negeb, Rehob, Sela, Shaalbim, Sidon, Taanach, ZephathTopics Beth, Bethshean, Beth-shean, Beth-she'an, Canaanite, Canaanites, Daughter-towns, Desirous, Determined, Dor, Drive, Driving, Dwell, Dwelling, Expel, Iblaim, Ibleam, Inhabitants, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Megiddo, Megid'do, Occupied, Persisted, Possession, Resolved, Settlements, Shan, Shean, Surrounding, Taanach, Ta'a-nach, Tanach, Towns, VillagesDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 1:27 7266 tribes of Israel Judges 1:27-35 7259 promised land, later history Library The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleThe Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Tsippor
"Tsippor is the greatest city of Galilee, and built in a very strong place." "Kitron (Judg 1:29,30) is Tsippor: and why is it called Tsippor? Because it is seated upon a mountain as Tsippor, a bird." "Sixteen miles on all sides from Tsippor was a land flowing with milk and honey." This city is noted in Josephus for its warlike affairs; but most noted in the Talmudists for the university fixed there, and for the learning, which Rabbi Judah the Holy brought hither, as we have said before. He sat in …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
ISRAEL'S VICTORIES OVER THE CANAANITES.--Josh. 2-9; Judg. 1, 4, 5. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible II,1-4.1. Prin. of Politics X. That the leaders took the lead in Israel, That the people volunteered readily, Bless Jehovah! Zebulun was a people who exposed themselves to deadly peril, And Naphtali on the heights of the open field. Kings came, they fought; They fought, the kings of Canaan, At Taanach by the Waters of Megiddo, They took no booty of silver. Prom heaven fought the stars, From their …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: Advent of the Hebrews] Modern discovery and research have demonstrated that the truth revealed through the Babylonians and with less definiteness through the people of the Nile was never entirely lost. Such a sad waste was out of accord with the obvious principles of divine economy. As the icy chill of ceremonialism seized decadent Babylonia and Egypt, there emerged from the steppes south and east of Palestine a virile, ambitious group of nomads, who not only fell heir to that which …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane," …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 1:27 NIVJudges 1:27 NLTJudges 1:27 ESVJudges 1:27 NASBJudges 1:27 KJV
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