Joshua16
New International Version
1The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan, east of the springs of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel.
2It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz), crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth,
3descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the Mediterranean Sea.
4So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.
5This was the territory of Ephraim, according to its clans: The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon
6and continued to the Mediterranean Sea. From Mikmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east.
7Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
8From Tappuah the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, according to its clans.
9It also included all the towns and their villages that were set aside for the Ephraimites within the inheritance of the Manassites.
10They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Joshua 16.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The sons of Joseph. (1-31).
vv1-31
This and the following chapter should not be separated. They give the lots of Ephraim and Manasseh, the children of Joseph, who, next to Judah, were to have the post of honour, and therefore had the first and best portion in the northern part of Canaan, as Judah in the southern part. God's people now, as of old, suffer his enemies to remain. Blessed Lord, when will all our enemies be subdued? 1Co 15:26. Do thou drive them all out; thou alone canst do it. These settled boundaries may remind us, that our situation and provision in this life, as well as our future inheritance, are appointed by the only wise and righteous God, and we should be content with our portion, since he knows what is best for us, and all we have is more than we deserve.
Key Words
גּוֹרָל: properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יוֹסֵף: Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
יָצָא: to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יַרְדֵּן: Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
יְרִיחוֹ: Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine
מִזְרָח: sunrise, i.e. the east
מַיִם: water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מִדְבָּר: a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
Cross References
Joshua 16Direct parallel confirming Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites in Gezer.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Records the historical fulfillment of Gezer's eventual capture and destruction by Pharaoh for Solomon.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the shared failure of the Joseph tribes in putting Canaanites to tribute.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the 'water of Jericho' later healed by Elisha.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Provides the historical origin of Bethel formerly being named Luz.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the wilderness on the southern border as the wilderness of Beth-aven.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Documents the complex overlapping boundary and shared cities between Ephraim and Manasseh.
Supported by JFB
Lists the possessions and habitations of Ephraim, including Bethel and Naaran.
Mentions Beth-horon, a key boundary point and previous battle site.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Records that Sheerah, an Ephraimite woman, built Beth-horon the nether and the upper.
Explains the division order, where Judah and Joseph took possessions first.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The sons of Joseph complain to Joshua about their single lot portion.
Contrasts Ephraim's failure in Gezer with Judah's failure to expel Jebusites from Jerusalem.
Law regarding tributary service, though God commanded total driving out in Canaan.