Joshua 16

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 16:1-4

XVI.INHERITANCE OF JOSEPH—i.e., of Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 16:1 to Joshua 18:1, inclusive).(1) The lot of the children of Joseph.—The order of precedence among the tribes of Israel was always Judah first and the sons of Joseph second. In the words of 1 Chronicles 5:2, “Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s.” Accordingly in the division of the land of Canaan under Joshua, there are three successive stages: first, the settlement... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 16:5-8

(5-8) The border (of Ephraim’s inheritance) on the east side.—The words “on the east side” are not easy to understand. If Ataroth-addar is rightly identified as Ed-Dârieh, and Mickmethah as the plain of Mukhnah, then the line from Ataroth-addar and Beth-horon to Michmethah is a line running due north, and separating the territory of Ephraim on the east from that of Dan on the west. The line from Michmethah to Taanath-shiloh (Tana, sheet 12) and Janohah (Yânûn, south of T’ana, sheet 15), and so... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 16:9

(9) The separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh; and Joshua 17:10-11 : “Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher, Beth-shean,” &c. This fact would manifestly tend to produce a solidarity among the several tribes, and to prevent disunion by creating common interests. The interest of the stronger tribes would be served by completing the conquest of the territory assigned to the weaker. And the general formation thus produced would... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 16:10

(10) They drave not out.—The failure of Ephraim here is noticed, as was the failure of Judah above (Joshua 15:63). read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 16

CHAPTER XXIII.THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE LAND.Joshua Chs. 15-19.WE come now in earnest to the distribution of the land. The two and a half tribes have already got their settlements on the other side of Jordan; but the other side of Jordan, though included in the land of promise, was outside the part specially consecrated as the theatre of Divine manifestation and dealing. From Dan to Beersheba and from Jordan to the sea was par excellence the land of Israel; it was here the patriarchs had dwelt;... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 16:1-10

CHAPTER XXV.THE INHERITANCE OF JOSEPH.Joshua Chs. 16, 17.NEXT to Judah, the most important tribe was Joseph; that is, the double tribe to which his two sons gave names, Ephraim and Manasseh. In perpetual acknowledgment of the service rendered by Joseph to the family, by keeping them alive in the famine, it was ordained by Jacob that his two sons should rank with their uncles as founders of tribes (Genesis 48:5). It was also prophetically ordained by Jacob that Ephraim, the younger son, should... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 16:1-10

4. The Portion of Ephraim CHAPTER 16 1. The lot for the children of Joseph (Joshua 16:1-4 ) 2. Ephraim’s portion (Joshua 16:5-9 ) 3. Ephraim’s failure (Joshua 16:10 ) A wonderful lot was that of Joseph, beginning at Jordan, the river of death, up to Bethel, which means “the house of God.” Then the portion of Ephraim comes first. Ephraim with the blessed inheritance to be “doubly fruitful” (the meaning of Ephraim) fails. “They drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer.” Josephus,... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Joshua 16:1

16:1 And the lot of the {a} children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,(a) That is, to Ephraim and his children: for Manasseh’s portion follows. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Joshua 16:3

16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out {b} thereof are at the sea.(b) Of their inheritance. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Joshua 16:4

16:4 So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, {c} took their inheritance.(c) Severally, first Ephraim, and then Manasseh. read more

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