ScriptureDepth's study of Joshua 16
“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
Joshua receives the lot for the children of Joseph from Yahweh, determining the land they will inherit, starting from the Jordan at Jericho.
What Joshua 16 is about
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).
The chapter states that Canaanites dwell among the people of Ephraim, serving as forced laborers.
Joshua 16 at a glance
- Joshua 16:1–4The Lot for Joseph's Descendants
- Joshua 16:5–8Boundaries of Ephraim's Inheritance
- Joshua 16:9–10Cities of Ephraim and Canaanite Presence
Key verse: Joshua 16:1
One thing to notice
The text explicitly states that the Canaanites were not driven out of certain areas within Ephraim's territory. This is confirmed in verse 10, where it notes that the Canaanites dwell in Gezer and have become servants, providing insight into the ongoing presence of these peoples in the land.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Joshua 16 (WEB)
The Lot for Joseph's Descendants Joshua 16:1–4
1Verse 1. 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. 2Verse 2. It went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth; 3Verse 3. and 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. 4Verse 4. The children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
Boundaries of Ephraim's Inheritance Joshua 16:5–8
5Verse 5. This 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. 6Verse 6. The 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. 7Verse 7. It went down from Janoah to Ataroth, to Naarah, reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan. 8Verse 8. From 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;
Cities of Ephraim and Canaanite Presence Joshua 16:9–10
9Verse 9. together 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. 10Verse 10. They 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)
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Main themes in Joshua 16
Land and inheritance
This chapter outlines the land allotted to Joseph's descendants, specifically Ephraim, as seen in verses 4 and 5. The text details the borders of Ephraim’s inheritance, which includes key locations like 'Ataroth Addar' and 'Beth Horon the upper.' The description of boundaries signifies the tangible aspects of God's promises, marking the physical claim of the land by these tribes.
Fulfillment of God's promises
In Joshua 16, the allotment of land to Ephraim marks the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Verses 1-4 detail the regions assigned to Joseph's descendants, indicating the ongoing realization of the land promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The process of possession is highlighted as these descendants take their inheritance, demonstrating God's faithfulness in granting the land.
Tribal identity and unity
The chapter highlights the distinct tribal identities of Ephraim and Manasseh, as seen in verses 4 and 9. The narrative specifies the children of Joseph, with Ephraim receiving its own borders while also incorporating cities within Manasseh's territory. This shared land indicates a form of unity among the tribes, while still recognizing their individual identities.
Struggle and opposition in the Christian journey
Verse 10 notes the continued presence of Canaanites within Ephraim's territory, stating that 'the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this day.' This acknowledgment indicates ongoing struggles faced by the Israelites, as challenges remain even after receiving their land. The forced labor of the Canaanites reveals the complexities of the conquest and the difficulties encountered in settling the promised land.
Chapter outline
How Joshua 16 unfolds
Joshua 16:1–4 The Lot for Joseph's Descendants
The lot was drawn for the children of Joseph, specifying the territory from the Jordan near Jericho, extending through the wilderness and into the hill country, defining their inheritance (vv. 1-4).
Joshua 16:5–8 Boundaries of Ephraim's Inheritance
The borders of Ephraim's inheritance stretch from 'Ataroth Addar' to the 'brook of Kanah', defining their land and ending at the sea (vv. 5-8).
Joshua 16:9–10 Cities of Ephraim and Canaanite Presence
The cities set apart for Ephraim are located within the inheritance of Manasseh, and the Canaanites in 'Gezer' were not driven out, becoming forced laborers (vv. 9-10).
Key verses
Joshua 16:1Joshua receives the lot for the children of Joseph from Yahweh, determining the land they will inherit, starting from the Jordan at Jericho.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Joshua 16
- observeIn v1, what geographical feature marks the starting point for the lot of Joseph?
- observeWhat does v10 say about the Canaanites in Gezer and their status?
- interpretThe mention of 'forced labor' in v10: what does this imply about the relationship between Ephraim and the Canaanites?
- interpretIn v9, why are the cities of Ephraim described as being 'in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh'?
- applyWhen have you faced a challenge in a situation that seemed like a promised blessing, as in v10?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Joshua 16
- Joshua 17Joshua 16:4 and Joshua 17:14Both inherit: Joshua 16:4 says the children of Joseph took their inheritance, while Joshua 17:14 questions why they have just one lot.
- Joshua 18Joshua 16:1 and Joshua 18:12Both borders: Joshua 16:1 describes the lot from the Jordan at Jericho, while Joshua 18:12 describes their border from the Jordan.
- 1 Chronicles 7Joshua 16:3 and 1 Chronicles 7:24Both Beth Horon: Joshua 16:3 mentions the border of Beth Horon the lower, while 1 Chronicles 7:24 states Sheerah built Beth Horon.
- 1 Kings 9Joshua 16:10 and 1 Kings 9:16Both Gezer: Joshua 16:10 states the Canaanites lived in Gezer, while 1 Kings 9:16 describes Pharaoh giving Gezer to Solomon.
- Joshua 10Joshua 16:10 and Joshua 10:33Both Gezer: Joshua 16:10 says the Canaanites live in Gezer, while Joshua 10:33 details Joshua striking the king of Gezer.
- Judges 1Joshua 16:10 and Judges 1:29Both Gezer: Joshua 16:10 states the Canaanites dwell in Gezer, while Judges 1:29 confirms Ephraim did not drive them out.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Joshua 16
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Joshua: the whole bookJoshua narrates the moment promise becomes geography.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 76Day 76 of 365: Joshua 16–19.
- StrengthWhat the Bible says about strength, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Joshua 16: frequently asked questions
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