Joshua 16

Joseph’s Tribal Lands

16:1 The land allotted to Joseph’s descendants extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho to the east, through the desert and on up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel. 16:2 The southern border extended from Bethel to Luz, and crossed to Arkite territory at Ataroth. 16:3 It then descended westward to Japhletite territory, as far as the territory of lower Beth Horon and Gezer, and ended at the sea.

Since Joseph kept Israel alive during the famine, Jacob made Joseph’s two sons full heirs, meaning that the tribe of Joseph would receive a double portion of the land. The territory of Ephraim and Manasseh was perhaps the most beautiful and fertile land of Israel.

16:4 Joseph’s descendants, Manasseh and Ephraim, were assigned their land. 16:5 The territory of the tribe of Ephraim by its clans included the following: The border of their assigned land to the east was Ataroth Addar as far as upper Beth Horon. 16:6 It then extended on to the sea, with Micmethath on the north. It turned eastward to Taanath Shiloh and crossed it on the east to Janoah. 16:7 It then descended from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho, and extended to the Jordan River. 16:8 From Tappuah it went westward to the Valley of Kanah and ended at the sea. This is the land assigned to the tribe of Ephraim by its clans. 16:9 Also included were the cities set apart for the tribe of Ephraim within Manasseh’s territory, along with their towns. 16:10 The Ephraimites did not conquer the Canaanites living in Gezer. The Canaanites live among the Ephraimites to this very day and do hard labor as their servants.

Joshua listed the borders of Ephraim and Manasseh, starting with Ephraim. Instead of exterminating the Canaanites in Gezer, the Ephraimites compromised the Word of God and forced them to pay tribute so that they could gain additional wealth. Later in Judges, these Canaanites rose up and enslaved the Israelites. This is the result of what happens when God’s word is compromised.