Joshua 16

Joshua 16 outlines the boundaries of the land allotted to the descendants of Joseph, specifically to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. These territories were vital to the future development of Israel and played a key role in the nation's history. The chapter focuses on the inheritance and the distribution of land, while also briefly mentioning the inhabitants that the Israelites were unable to drive out completely.

Joshua 16:1 (NKJV)
The lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan, by Jericho, to the waters of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains to Bethel.

This verse begins by describing the territory assigned to the descendants of Joseph, which includes the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The boundaries start at the Jordan River, near Jericho, and extend through the mountains to Bethel. This area holds significant importance as it was central to Israel's early settlement and later became a religious and political hub.

Joshua 16:2 (NKJV)
Then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth,

The boundary continues from Bethel to Luz and passes to Ataroth, near the territory of the Archites. Luz and Bethel are closely associated, often regarded as the same location. This verse provides further detail about the northern border of the inheritance, linking key cities and regions within the tribal land.

Joshua 16:3 (NKJV)
And went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea.

Here, the boundary moves westward toward the territories of the Japhletites, continuing to Lower Beth Horon and Gezer, and finally reaching the Mediterranean Sea. These western regions were important for trade and military strategy, especially the cities of Beth Horon and Gezer, which controlled significant routes.

Joshua 16:4 (NKJV)
So the children of Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

This verse summarizes that the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their designated inheritance. These two tribes were significant in Israel's history, holding large and influential territories in the central part of the promised land. The division reflects their standing among the tribes of Israel.

Joshua 16:5-7 (NKJV)
The border of the children of Ephraim, according to their families, was thus: The border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth Addar as far as Upper Beth Horon.
And the border went out toward the sea on the north side of Michmethath; then the border went around eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed by it on the east of Janohah.
Then it went down from Janohah to Ataroth and Naarah, reached to Jericho, and came out at the Jordan.

These verses give a detailed description of Ephraim’s territory, starting at Ataroth Addar and extending to Upper Beth Horon. The boundary moves to Michmethath and Taanath Shiloh, passing through several important locations before ending at the Jordan River. The mention of Jericho highlights the connection between Ephraim's land and this iconic city, illustrating Ephraim’s vital place in Israel’s geography.

Joshua 16:8 (NKJV)
The border went out from Tappuah westward to the Brook Kanah, and it ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families.

The western boundary of Ephraim’s land extends from Tappuah to the Brook Kanah, reaching the Mediterranean Sea. This clearly defines Ephraim’s inheritance, which was among the most fertile and strategically important regions in Israel. The mention of the sea boundary emphasizes the significance of Ephraim's western front, contributing to the tribe's prosperity.

Joshua 16:9 (NKJV)
The separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.

Although Ephraim had its own distinct territory, it also had cities located within the inheritance of Manasseh. This arrangement reflects the close relationship between the two tribes as descendants of Joseph. The interspersing of their cities signifies mutual cooperation and shared responsibilities in maintaining the land.

Joshua 16:10 (NKJV)
And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.

This final verse notes that the Ephraimites did not completely expel the Canaanites from Gezer, and instead, the Canaanites continued to live among them, though reduced to forced labor. This incomplete conquest would later cause challenges for Israel as these remnants of Canaanite culture and religion could influence the Israelites negatively. The forced labor solution was practical but not ideal according to God's command to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land.