יהושע, פרק ט״ז, פסוק י׳

Taking full control of the land was a process filled with complexities and compromises between the Israelites and the original inhabitants. The tribe of Ephraim refrained from expelling the Canaanites living in Gezer. This location was an important fortress city that the Israelites had not actually conquered [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Even so, it fell within the borders of Ephraim's inherited land. Specifically, Gezer sat along the boundary stretching from Tappuah to the sea [מצודת דוד] and was counted as part of Ephraim's portion within the separated cities [מלבי״ם].

Rather than forcing the Canaanites to leave, the tribe established a system of coexistence based on servitude. The local Canaanites were permitted to stay in their city and live under the protection of Ephraim [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In exchange for this protection, they were subjected to a strict tribute. This arrangement was not a financial tax where money was collected, but rather a physical tax consisting of forced manual labor [מצודת דוד].