And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. Instead, the Canaanites continued to live among the people of Ephraim to this day, serving them as forced laborers who had to pay taxes.
This verse explains that the tribe of Ephraim failed to completely remove the Canaanites from their territory, instead making them into servants and tax-payers.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during Israel's conquest and settlement of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. The Israelites were commanded by God to drive out all the Canaanite peoples from the land, but many tribes only partially obeyed this command. Gezer was an important Canaanite city that remained unconquered, and forcing defeated peoples into tributary relationships was a common ancient Near Eastern practice.
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