Joshua 16
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1The lot came out for the children of Joseph from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, even the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel. 2It went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth; 3and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and ended at the sea. 4The children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. 5This was the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper. 6The border went out westward at Michmethath on the north. The border turned about eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed along it on the east of Janoah. 7It went down from Janoah to Ataroth, to Naarah, reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan. 8From Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah; and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families; 9together with the cities which were set apart for the children of Ephraim in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages. 10They didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this day, and have become servants to do forced labor.
World English Bible (public domain)
“And the territory of the people of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel;”
Joshua 16:1
Summary
In Joshua chapter 16, the land of Ephraim and the western half of Manasseh is allotted to the descendants of Joseph. The chapter describes the boundaries of the territory assigned to Ephraim, outlining its cities and the geographical features that define its borders. The narrative emphasizes the significance of land allocation among the tribes of Israel as a fulfillment of God's promise to give them a homeland. This distribution not only reinforces the importance of each tribe but also underscores God’s fidelity to His covenant with the people of Israel. The chapter also touches on the challenges faced by the Ephraimites as they confront the Canaanites who reside in their territory, reminding us of the continuous struggle between God’s promised blessings and the realities of life, including warfare and opposition.
Key Themes
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