Contradictions and Paradoxes in Joshua 17:13

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Joshua 17:13 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Joshua 17:13. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of the book of Joshua, when the Israelites became strong, they made the Canaanites pay them but didn't make them leave completely. This shows that sometimes they didn't listen to all of God's instructions.

Joshua 17:13: 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.

Contradiction with Judges 1:28

When Israel became strong, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not completely drive them out, similar to Joshua 17:13 where they could not completely drive them out.

Judges 1:28: And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:16-17

God commanded the Israelites to completely destroy the Canaanites with no survivors, which contrasts with Joshua 17:13 where some Canaanites remained.

Deuteronomy 20:16-17: But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Contradiction with Exodus 23:31-33

God promised to drive out the Canaanites completely, yet in Joshua 17:13, they remained among the Israelites.

Exodus 23:31-33: And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

Contradiction with Numbers 33:55

It warns of trouble if the Canaanites were not driven out, contradicting the coexistence described in Joshua 17:13.

Numbers 33:55: But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Contradiction with Judges 2:2-3

God rebukes the Israelites for not driving out the Canaanites entirely, which directly contradicts the situation in Joshua 17:13.

Judges 2:2-3: And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
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