KJV
Joshua 16
1¶ And the lot of the 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,
2And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
3And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
4So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
5¶ And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was [thus]: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
6And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
7And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.
8The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
9And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim [were] among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
10And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
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Archi: A City of Ephraim Joshua 16:2
It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz) and proceeded to the border of the Archites in Ataroth.
Ataroth: A City, or Possibly Two Different Cities, of Ephraim Joshua 16:2, 5, 7
It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz) and proceeded to the border of the Archites in Ataroth. / This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon / From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
Beth-Horon: Two Ancient Cities of Canaan, Near Which Joshua Defeated the Amorites Joshua 16:3, 5
Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea. / This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon
Canaan: Land of by Joshua, Eleazar and a Prince from Each Tribe Joshua 16:1
The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel.
Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Failed to Expel the Canaanites Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Territory Allotted To, After the Conquest of Canaan Joshua 16:5–9
This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon / and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east. / From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
Gezer: Allotted to the Half-Tribe of Ephraim Joshua 16:3, 10
Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea. / But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
Gezer: Canaanites not all Expelled From, but Made to Pay Tribute (Taxes) Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
Israel: The Land Allotted Joshua 16:1
The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel.
Janohah: A City on the Border of the Tribe of Ephraim Joshua 16:6, 7
and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east. / From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
Japhleti: A Place Whose Location is Unknown Joshua 16:3
Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea.
Jericho: Waters of Joshua 16:1
The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel.
Joshua: Also Called Jehoshua, and Jehoshuah, and Oshea: Allots the Land Joshua 16:1
The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel.
Kanah: A Brook Dividing the Territory of Ephraim from the Territory of Manasseh Joshua 16:8
From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim,
Manasseh:: One-Half of Tribe West of Jordan River Joshua 16:9
along with all the cities and villages set apart for the descendants of Ephraim within the inheritance of Manasseh.
Michmethah: A City Between the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh Joshua 16:6
and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east.
Naarath: A City on the Southern Boundary of the Tribe of Ephraim Joshua 16:7
From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
Rivers: Kanah Joshua 16:8
From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim,
Taanath-Shiloh: A City in the Territory of the Tribe of Ephraim Joshua 16:6
and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east.
Tappuah: A City in the Territory of the Tribe of Ephraim Joshua 16:8
From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim,
Tribe of Ephraim: Bounds of Its Inheritance Joshua 16:5–9
This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon / and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east. / From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
Tribe of Ephraim: Could not Drive out the Canaanites but Made Them Tributary Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
Tribute (Taxes): from Conquered Nations Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
Tribute: Exacted from all Conquered Nations Joshua 16:10
But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
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Joshua 16:1-999 Chapter 16
The sons of Joseph. --This and the following chapter should not be separated. They give the lots of Ephraim and Manasseh, the children of Joseph, who, next to Judah, were to have the post of honour, and therefore had the first and best portion in the northern part of Canaan, as Judah in the southern part. God's people now, as of old, suffer his enemies to remain. Blessed Lord, when will all our enemies be subdued? 1Co 15:26. Do thou drive them all out; thou alone canst do it. These settled boundaries may remind us, that our situation and provision in this life, as well as our future inheritance, are appointed by the only wise and righteous God, and we should be content with our portion, since he knows what is best for us, and all we have is more than we deserve.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.
Joshua 16:1 The General Borders of the Sons of Joseph.
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.
Joshua 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.
Joshua 16:6-7 The Borders of the Inheritance of Ephraim.
Michmethah on the north side--The northern boundary is traced from this point eastward to the Jordan.
Joshua 16:8 The Borders of the Inheritance of Ephraim.
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.
Joshua 16:9 The Borders of the Inheritance of Ephraim.
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.