Joseph’s tribes receive their land, but the work is not finished

16:1 The land allotted to Joseph’s descendants extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho to the east, through the desert and on up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel. 16:2 The southern border extended from Bethel to Luz, and crossed to Arkite territory at Ataroth. 16:3 It then descended westward to Japhletite territory, as far as the territory of lower Beth Horon and Gezer, and ended at the sea. 16:4 Joseph’s descendants, Manasseh and Ephraim, were assigned their land. 16:5 The territory of the tribe of Ephraim by its clans included the following: The border of their assigned land to the east was Ataroth Addar as far as upper Beth Horon. 16:6 It then extended on to the sea, with Micmethath on the north. It turned eastward to Taanath Shiloh and crossed it on the east to Janoah. 16:7 It then descended from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho, and extended to the Jordan River. 16:8 From Tappuah it went westward to the Valley of Kanah and ended at the sea. This is the land assigned to the tribe of Ephraim by its clans. 16:9 Also included were the cities set apart for the tribe of Ephraim within Manasseh’s territory, along with their towns. 16:10 The Ephraimites did not conquer the Canaanites living in Gezer. The Canaanites live among the Ephraimites to this very day and do hard labor as their servants. 17:1 The tribe of Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn son, was also allotted land. The descendants of Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn and the father of Gilead, received land, for they were warriors. They were assigned Gilead and Bashan. 17:2 The rest of Manasseh’s descendants were also assigned land by their clans, including the descendants of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. 17:3 Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 17:4 They went before Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, “The Lord told Moses to assign us land among our relatives.” So Joshua assigned them land among their uncles, as the Lord had commanded. 17:5 Manasseh was allotted ten shares of land, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, 17:6 for the daughters of Manasseh were assigned land among his sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. 17:7 The border of Manasseh went from Asher to Micmethath which is near Shechem. It then went south toward those who live in Tappuah. 17:8 (The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah, located on the border of Manasseh, belonged to the tribe of Ephraim.) 17:9 The border then descended southward to the Valley of Kanah. Ephraim was assigned cities there among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was north of the valley and ended at the sea. 17:10 Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s to the north. The sea was Manasseh’s western border and their territory touched Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. 17:11 Within Issachar’s and Asher’s territory Manasseh was assigned Beth Shean, Ibleam, the residents of Dor, En Dor, the residents of Taanach, the residents of Megiddo, the three of Napheth, and the towns surrounding all these cities. 17:12 But the men of Manasseh were unable to conquer these cities; the Canaanites managed to remain in those areas. 17:13 Whenever the Israelites were strong militarily, they forced the Canaanites to do hard labor, but they never totally conquered them. 17:14 The descendants of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you assigned us only one tribal allotment? After all, we have many people, for until now the Lord has enabled us to increase in number.” 17:15 Joshua replied to them, “Since you have so many people, go up into the forest and clear out a place to live in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites, for the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you.” 17:16 The descendants of Joseph said, “The whole hill country is inadequate for us, and the Canaanites living down in the valley in Beth Shean and its surrounding towns and in the Valley of Jezreel have chariots with iron-rimmed wheels.” 17:17 Joshua said to the family of Joseph – to both Ephraim and Manasseh: “You have many people and great military strength. You will not have just one tribal allotment. 17:18 The whole hill country will be yours; though it is a forest, you can clear it and it will be entirely yours. You can conquer the Canaanites, though they have chariots with iron-rimmed wheels and are strong.”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Joshua 16:1–17:18 gives the land to Ephraim and Manasseh, the tribes of Joseph, and shows that the Lord kept his promise. Zelophehad’s daughters also receive the inheritance Moses had promised them. But the passage also exposes incomplete obedience: some Canaanites remain in the land, and Joshua tells Joseph’s descendants to use the strength God has given them to take what is still before them.

This passage is part of Israel’s division of the promised land. Ephraim and Manasseh receive their allotted territory, and the borders are described in detail. The Lord is keeping his promise.

The passage also shows that Israel did not fully drive out the Canaanites. Some remained in places like Gezer, and Manasseh did not conquer several cities. The text presents this as incomplete obedience, not as a good result.

Zelophehad’s daughters come before Joshua and the leaders and receive the inheritance Moses had promised them. This shows that the Lord’s command is being carried out fairly.

When Joseph’s descendants say their land is too small, Joshua does not reject their concern, but he tells them to go into the forest, clear land, and take what remains. Even though the Canaanites have iron chariots, Joshua says they can still conquer the land because the Lord has given them strength. The passage connects God’s gift with Israel’s responsibility to act in faith and obedience.

• God faithfully gives the inheritance he promised to his people.
• The borders and allotments are carefully ordered under the Lord’s command.
• Zelophehad’s daughters receive the inheritance Moses had promised, showing God’s justice.
• Incomplete obedience leaves enemies in the land and brings lasting trouble.
• God’s gifts do not cancel human responsibility; they require faith and action.

• Warning: the Canaanites remained in the land because Israel did not fully conquer them.
• Warning: partial obedience has real consequences.
• Promise: the Lord had increased Joseph’s descendants and given them strength.
• Command: clear the forest and take the land that remains.
• Command: trust God’s provision rather than treating the land as insufficient.

This passage shows the Lord keeping his covenant promise to give Israel the land. It also shows that the promised inheritance still must be taken in obedience. The land allotment belongs to Israel’s covenant life under Joshua, and the biblical theme of inheritance and rest continues from here.

God gives real gifts, but his people must still act in faith. We should not excuse disobedience by pointing to hard circumstances. Like Joseph’s descendants, we should use the strength God provides and take hold of what he has set before us. We should also value God’s just care for those who might otherwise be overlooked.

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