The lot came out for the children of Joseph from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, even the wilderness, going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel. +
Jos 16:1-4.
THE
GENERAL
BORDERS OF THE
SONS OF
JOSEPH.
1. 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.
2
It went out from Bethel to Luz, and passed along to the border of the Archites to Ataroth;
3
and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and ended at the sea.
4
The children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
5
This was the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper. +
Jos 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.
6
The border went out westward at Michmethath on the north. The border turned about eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed along it on the east of Janoah. +
6, 7. Michmethah on the north side--The northern boundary is traced
from this point eastward to the Jordan.
7
It went down from Janoah to Ataroth, to Naarah, reached to Jericho, and went out at the Jordan.
8
From Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah; and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families; +
8. 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.
9
together with the cities which were set apart for the children of Ephraim in the middle of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages. +
9. 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 didn't drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this day, and have become servants to do forced labor. +
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.
Jos 16:1-4. THE GENERAL BORDERS OF THE SONS OF JOSEPH.
1. 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.