Joshua 16: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Joshua 16 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The lot for the children of Joseph came from the Jordan at Jericho, east of the wilderness, going up to Bethel (vv. 1-4). Their territory included regions from Bethel to Luz and through Ataroth. It extended west to the border of the Japhletites, reaching to Gezer and the sea. The boundaries of Ephraim's inheritance included Ataroth Addar and Beth Horon (vv. 5-8). The border went from Michmethath northward and passed east of Janoah. It descended to Jericho and out at the Jordan. Ephraim's cities included those among the inheritance of Manasseh, with their villages listed (v. 9). However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, and the Canaanites remained in Ephraim's territory as servants (v. 10).

Key verse

“The 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.”
Joshua 16:1 (WEB)

Outline

Joshua 16:1–4 The Lot for Joseph's Descendants
Joshua 16:5–8 Boundaries of Ephraim's Inheritance
Joshua 16:9–10 Cities of Ephraim and Canaanite Presence

Discussion questions

In v1, what geographical feature marks the starting point for the lot of Joseph?
What does v10 say about the Canaanites in Gezer and their status?
The mention of 'forced labor' in v10: what does this imply about the relationship between Ephraim and the Canaanites?
In v9, why are the cities of Ephraim described as being 'in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh'?
When have you faced a challenge in a situation that seemed like a promised blessing, as in v10?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Joshua 16: Joshua 17, Joshua 18, 1 Chronicles 7.

Before next time: read Joshua 17.