1 And the lot H1486 of the children H1121 of Joseph H3130 fell H3318 from Jordan H3383 by Jericho, H3405 unto the water H4325 of Jericho H3405 on the east, H4217 to the wilderness H4057 that goeth up H5927 from Jericho H3405 throughout mount H2022 Bethel, H1008
2 And goeth out H3318 from Bethel H1008 to Luz, H3870 and passeth along H5674 unto the borders H1366 of Archi H757 to Ataroth, H5852
3 And goeth down H3381 westward H3220 to the coast H1366 of Japhleti, H3311 unto the coast H1366 of Bethhoron H1032 the nether, H8481 and to Gezer: H1507 and the goings out H8444 thereof are at the sea. H3220
4 So the children H1121 of Joseph, H3130 Manasseh H4519 and Ephraim, H669 took their inheritance. H5157
5 And the border H1366 of the children H1121 of Ephraim H669 according to their families H4940 was thus: even the border H1366 of their inheritance H5159 on the east side H4217 was Atarothaddar, H5853 unto Bethhoron H1032 the upper; H5945
6 And the border H1366 went out H3318 toward the sea H3220 to Michmethah H4366 on the north side; H6828 and the border H1366 went about H5437 eastward H4217 unto Taanathshiloh, H8387 and passed H5674 by it on the east H4217 to Janohah; H3239
7 And it went down H3381 from Janohah H3239 to Ataroth, H5852 and to Naarath, H5292 and came H6293 to Jericho, H3405 and went out H3318 at Jordan. H3383
8 The border H1366 went out H3212 from Tappuah H8599 westward H3220 unto the river H5158 Kanah; H7071 and the goings out H8444 thereof were at the sea. H3220 This is the inheritance H5159 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Ephraim H669 by their families. H4940
9 And the separate H3995 cities H5892 for the children H1121 of Ephraim H669 were among H8432 the inheritance H5159 of the children H1121 of Manasseh, H4519 all the cities H5892 with their villages. H2691
10 And they drave not out H3423 the Canaanites H3669 that dwelt H3427 in Gezer: H1507 but the Canaanites H3669 dwell H3427 among H7130 the Ephraimites H669 unto this day, H3117 and serve H5647 under tribute. H4522
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Joshua 16
Commentary on Joshua 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 16
Jos 16:1-4. The General Borders of the Sons of Joseph.
1. the lot of the children of Joseph fell—Hebrew, "went forth," referring either to the lot as drawn out of the urn, or to the tract of land thereby assigned. The first four verses describe the territory allotted to the family of Joseph in the rich domains of central Palestine. It was drawn in one lot, that the brethren might be contiguously situated; but it was afterwards divided. The southern boundary only is described here; that on the north being irregular and less defined (Jos 17:10, 11), is not mentioned.
water of Jericho—(2Ki 2:19), at the joint of its junction with the Jordan.
mount Beth-el—the ridge south of Beth-el. Having described the position of Joseph's family generally the historian proceeds to define the territory; first, that of Ephraim.
Jos 16:5-9. The Borders of the Inheritance of Ephraim.
5-9. the border of their inheritance … was Ataroth-addar—Ataroth-addar (now Atara), four miles south of Jetta [Robinson], is fixed on as a center, through which a line is drawn from Upper Beth-horon to Michmethah, showing the western limit of their actual possessions. The tract beyond that to the sea was still unconquered.
6, 7. Michmethah on the north side—The northern boundary is traced from this point eastward to the Jordan.
8. from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah—It is retraced from east to west, to describe the prospective and intended boundary, which was to reach to the sea. Kanah ("reedy") flows into the Mediterranean.
9. separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of Manasseh—(Jos 17:9), because it was found that the tract allotted to Ephraim was too small in proportion to its population and power.
10. they drave not out the Canaanites … but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute—This is the first mention of the fatal policy of the Israelites, in neglecting the divine command (De 20:16) to exterminate the idolaters.