Joshua 16

This chapter is part of the land-distribution records in the latter half of Joshua. Following the allotment to the tribe of Judah in chapter 15, it treats the portion of the descendants of Joseph. The account of the remainder of Manasseh's portion continues in chapter 17.

Outline

• Verses 1–4 describe the southern boundary of the land that fell by lot to the descendants of Joseph. The boundary begins in the wilderness east of Jericho, passes Bethel, Luz, and Ataroth, reaches Beth-horon the nether and Gezer, and ends at the sea. The section concludes by stating that Manasseh and Ephraim received this inheritance.
• Verses 5–8 describe the boundaries of the inheritance that the descendants of Ephraim received according to their families. The line passes Ataroth-addar, Beth-horon the upper, Michmethah, Taanath-shiloh, Janohah, Naarath, Tappuah, and the river Kanah.
• Verse 9 notes that cities and villages within the inheritance of the descendants of Manasseh were also set apart for Ephraim.
• Verse 10 records that the Canaanites of Gezer were not driven out; they lived among Ephraim and became servants subject to forced labor.

Key Verses

• Joshua 16:4 "So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance" — This verse reflects the arrangement by which Joseph's two sons each receive land as a separate tribe.
• Joshua 16:10 "But the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day" — This verse makes clear that the conquest was not complete.

People and Places

• Joseph: A son of Jacob. The descendants of his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, are the focus of this chapter.
• Jericho, Jordan River: The eastern point where the boundary begins.
• Bethel: A city in the hill country through which the boundary passes.
• Luz: Genesis 28:19 gives it as the former name of Bethel. In this chapter the two appear to be listed separately, and interpretations differ.
• Beth-horon: A city that appears as two distinct places, the "nether" (lower) and the "upper."
• Gezer: A city on the western boundary, where Canaanites remained.
• River Kanah: A brook forming the western boundary of Ephraim's territory.

Points to Consider

A parallel to verse 10 appears in Judges 1:29. 1 Kings 9:16 records that a later king of Egypt captured Gezer and gave it to his daughter, who had become Solomon's wife.

In preaching, verse 10 is often read as a lesson about the failure to drive out the inhabitants completely, that is, about incomplete obedience. Other interpreters, however, read it as a record of the historical realities of the settlement process.

The exact locations of many of the places named in the text remain uncertain today.