Joshua16
New Living Translation
1The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan River near Jericho, east of the springs of Jericho, through the wilderness and into the hill country of Bethel.
2From Bethel (that is, Luz) it ran over to Ataroth in the territory of the Arkites.
3Then it descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer and over to the Mediterranean Sea.
4This was the homeland allocated to the families of Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
5The following territory was given to the clans of the tribe of Ephraim. The boundary of their homeland began at Ataroth-addar in the east. From there it ran to Upper Beth-horon,
6then on to the Mediterranean Sea. From Micmethath on the north, the boundary curved eastward past Taanath-shiloh to the east of Janoah.
7From Janoah it turned southward to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho, and ended at the Jordan River.
8From Tappuah the boundary extended westward, following the Kanah Ravine to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Ephraim.
9In addition, some towns with their surrounding villages in the territory allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh were set aside for the tribe of Ephraim.
10They did not drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, however, so the people of Gezer live as slaves among the people of Ephraim to this day.
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.