John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:14
And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua ,.... Which some understand of the children of Manasseh only; and, indeed, the complaint and arguments used, as well as some circumstances in the account, best agree with them; yet certain it is, that the children of Ephraim accompanied the children of Manasseh, and were present at this interview, as appears from Joshua 17:17 ; and if they did not join with them in the request and complaint expressly, they countenanced and encouraged the same by... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 17:14-18
Here, I. The children of Joseph quarrel with their lot; if they had had any just cause to quarrel with it, we have reason to think Joshua would have relieved them, by adding to it, or altering it, which it does not appear he did. It is probable, because Joshua was himself of the tribe of Ephraim, they promised themselves that they should have some particular favour shown them, and should not be confined to the decision of the lot so closely as the other tribes; but Joshua makes them know that... read more