Joshua 16

The portion of Ephraim

The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel. 2It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz) and proceeded to the border of the Archites in Ataroth. 3Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea.

4So Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, received their inheritance. 5This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon 6and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east.

7From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan. 8From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, 9along with all the cities and villages set apart for the descendants of Ephraim within the inheritance of Manasseh.

10But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.

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Commentary
Joshua 16 details the allocation of territory to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph. It describes the northern boundary of Ephraim's inheritance, extending from Jericho to Bethel and then westward. The chapter also notes the failure of the Ephraimites to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, a significant detail that foreshadows future struggles and highlights the incomplete obedience of Israel in possessing the land God had promised.
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Bible Dictionary· Joshua 16(6)

Bible Characters· Joshua 16(2)

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