This verse begins by defining the territory for the "children of Joseph," but then immediately shifts to detail Ephraim's inheritance. It highlights that while Manasseh also inherited land in Canaan, their portion was described separately, suggesting a deliberate focus on Ephraim's significant role in the Israelite settlement. This emphasis foreshadows Ephraim's prominence in later biblical history, even though they were the younger son.
The allotment of the people of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho into the hill country to Bethel. Then going from Bethel to Luz, it passes along to Ataroth, the territory of the Archites.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse begins the description of the land allotted to the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which held a special place after Judah. The text then moves to define the specific boundaries of Ephraim's inheritance, which includes a mention of their failure to fully drive out the Canaanites living within their territory, a point that will be further addressed.
Why were the sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) given special attention in the land division, coming right after Judah?
The tribe of Joseph, encompassing Ephraim and Manasseh, held a unique position in Israel's history.
Acknowledging Joseph's Past
Jacob, Joseph's father, had prophesied that Joseph's sons would receive a double portion, a privilege traditionally belonging to the firstborn. This was a testament to Joseph's faithfulness and sacrifice, particularly his role in saving his family from famine.
Order of Divine Providence
Scripture notes that the lots for Judah first, and then Joseph’s sons, were assigned in that order. This reflects Joseph's own elevation in status, as he essentially inherited the birthright from his older brothers.
This prioritization wasn't just about land size; it was a recognition of God's faithfulness to Joseph and the foundational role his descendants would play in the nation.
The boundaries are described, but what's missing, and what does that imply about the tribe of Joseph's inheritance?
Joshua 16 begins by outlining the general boundaries of Joseph's inheritance, stretching from the Jordan River westward. However, unlike some other tribal inheritances, this passage and its accompanying verses (Joshua 16:5-10) don't provide a detailed list of cities.
A Fertile but Contested Land
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This region was highly desirable, known for its fertility and beauty, including areas like the valley of Shechem and Samaria. Yet, it had a significant drawback: it was not fully cleared of its Canaanite inhabitants.
The Challenge of the Canaanites
The text highlights a critical failure of the tribe of Ephraim: they 'drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer' (Joshua 16:10). Instead, they allowed them to remain and even exacted tribute from them. This was a direct disobedience to God's command to utterly drive out the native peoples.
This incomplete conquest left a spiritual and national weakness, showing that even those with a privileged inheritance could fall short of God's commands due to complacency or a lack of spiritual resolve.
Understand the original words
goral · Hebrew Noun
A portion of land or a share of possessions assigned to a person or group, often by divine direction or sovereign providence. In the Old Testament, it frequently refers to the land of Canaan distributed to the tribes of Israel as their God-given portion.
Yoseph · Hebrew Noun
The term for the people descended from Joseph, the son of Jacob. In this context, it refers to the combined tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, who represent Joseph’s double portion in the inheritance of Israel.
This verse marks the precise beginning of the distribution of land by lot after the conquest. The allocation to Joseph's sons (Ephraim and Manasseh) immediately follows Judah's, highlighting their significance and setting the stage for future interactions with the land's original inhabitants.
~1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin their military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan after crossing the Jordan River.
~1405-1399 BC— this verse
Division of the Land
After the initial conquests, the land of Canaan is systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel, establishing their ancestral territories.
~1405 BC
Joseph's Tribes Receive Inheritance
The tribes of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh, descendants of Joseph, receive their allotted portions in the central part of Canaan.
During the period of the Judges
Partial Canaanite Occupation
Despite the division of land, many Canaanites were not fully driven out by the tribes, leading to ongoing conflict and coexistence.
This passage explains the origin of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, receiving a double portion and tribal status, which sets the stage for their inheritance described in Joshua 16.
Genesis 49:22-26These verses contain Jacob's prophecy blessing Joseph and his descendants, highlighting his fruitful bough and the dominion he would possess, which is realized through the land allotted in Joshua.
Numbers 1:32-33This census shows the combined strength of Manasseh and Ephraim, indicating their significant population that would require a substantial inheritance, as detailed in Joshua 16.
Joshua 18:12-14This passage describes the northern border of Benjamin's inheritance, which directly corresponds to the southern border of Ephraim's territory, showing the interconnectedness of these tribal lands.
Judges 1:22-26This shows the tribe of Joseph (specifically Ephraim) failing to drive out the Canaanites from Gezer, a city within their allotted territory mentioned in Joshua 16:10, illustrating a recurring theme of incomplete conquest.
calvinJoshua 16:1-10: "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,"
Neque expulerunt Chananaeum habitantem in Gazer. Itaque habitavit Chananaeus in medio Ephraim usque ad diem hanc, et fuit tributo serviens.
And the lot of the children of Joseph fell, etc The sacred writer first states what the lot was which fell to the two children of Joseph, and then describes…
clarkeJoshua 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,"
The children of Joseph - Ephraim and Manasseh, and their descendants. The limits of the tribe of Ephraim extended along the borders of Benjamin and Dan, from Jordan on the east to the Mediterranean on the west.
This verse begins by defining the territory for the "children of Joseph," but then immediately shifts to detail Ephraim's inheritance. It highlights that while Manasseh also inherited land in Canaan, their portion was described separately, suggesting a deliberate focus on Ephraim's significant role in the Israelite settlement. This emphasis foreshadows Ephraim's prominence in later biblical history, even though they were the younger son.
This verse begins the description of the land allotted to the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which held a special place after Judah. The text then moves to define the specific boundaries of Ephraim's inheritance, which includes a mention of their failure to fully drive out the Canaanites living within their territory, a point that will be further addressed.
This verse begins the description of the land allotted to the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which held a special place after Judah. The text then moves to define the specific boundaries of Ephraim's inheritance, which includes a mention of their failure to fully drive out the Canaanites living within their territory, a point that will be further addressed.
"The allotment of the people of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho into the hill country to Bethel. Then going from Bethel to Luz, it passes along to Ataroth, th…" — This verse begins by defining the territory for the "children of Joseph," but then immediately shifts to detail Ephraim's inheritance. It highlights that while Manasseh also inherited land in Canaan,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
