Joshua 17:17-18 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:17

And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh ,.... From whence it is clear that some of both were present; and they being brethren, and their interests united, and their cities intermixed, it would be to their mutual advantage to have an enlargement; which the tribe of Manasseh wanted more especially, more of their cities that fell to their lot being in the hands of the Canaanites, than of any other: saying, thou art a great people, and hast great power ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:18

But the mountains shall be thine ,.... Or "for" F19 כי "quia", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Gussetius, p. 378. it shall be thine; thou shalt get the possession of it, though attended with difficulties that seem insuperable: for , or "if, though" F20 כי "si", Junius & Tremellius, "licet", Ar. vers. Lat. . it is a wood ; the habitation of the Perizzites, and giants, and so dangerous to go un to it, and full of trees, and so seems unprofitable and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:18

The outgoings of it shall be thine - Clear away the wood, occupy the mountain, and you shall soon be able to command all the valleys; and, possessing all the defiles of the country, you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron: your situation will be advantageous, your numbers very respectable, and the hand of God will be upon you for good. From the whole history of the Israelites we find that it was difficult to please them; they had a dissatisfied... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:14-18

Self-help. I. IT IS FOOLISH TO COMPLAIN OF OUR LOT UNTIL WE HAVE MADE THE BEST USE OF IT . The Ephraimites had not cleared their forest, yet they complained of the narrowness of their possession. We do not know the extent of our advantages till we try them. In murmuring at the privations of life we spoil the enjoyment of its blessings. Hardships which we ascribe to the arrangements of Providence may often be traced to our own indolence. The one talent is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:14-18

The Division of the Land Let us make some further observations on the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel. The descendants of Joseph receive but a small lot. They complain bitterly of this, saying, " We are a great people." Joshua replies that, just because they are a great people, they may be contented with the share assigned them, for they will have the opportunity of perpetually extending their borders. "The mountain shall be thine; for thou shalt drive out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:18

But the mountain shall be thine, for it is a wood. This passage makes it clear that it was not the whole territory of Mount Ephraim, but only the portion habitable at present, that was too small for Ephraim and Manasseh. When cleared it would afford them more space. But Joshua also recommends them to extend their operations beyond its borders, as is clear from the mention of the "plain," and the "chariots of iron" (see next note). The outgoings. Not only the mountain itself, but the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:18

The lot of Joseph. I. NO COMPROMISE WITH SIN . The Israelites, as we have seen, were promised the possession of Palestine on condition that they should exterminate its inhabitants. They did not do this, either No type of the ordinary conduct of Christians is more precisely accurate. Constantly in youth they either II. THEY THAT TOUCH PITCH SHALL BE DEFILED THEREWITH . The command to exterminate the Israelites was not an arbitrary one. It was given because of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 17:17

Thou shalt not have one lot only - i. e. by dispossessing the Canaanites, thou shalt double the portion of land at thy disposal. The “but” with which the King James Version begins Joshua 17:18 should be “for.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 17:17

Joshua 17:17. Thou art a great people, and hast great power Joshua was not moved from his resolution by their objections, but told them, that by their own confession they were very numerous, and consequently of great power, and therefore need not be straitened in their habitations. Thou shalt not have one lot only Thou needest and deservest more than one lot, of which thou art actually possessed, and thou hast power to get more; which, if thou endeavourest to do, God will bless and give... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 17:14-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:14-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:14-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 17:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 17:17

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