1. The territory which was allotted to the descendants of Joseph reached up to Jericho and the waters of Jordan by Jericho on the east, taking in the waste land that climbs up from Jericho to the hill-country of Bethel.
2. From Bethel it went to Luza, and past the confines of Archi to Ataroth;
3. then it sloped down westwards along the borders of Jephleti to the neighbourhood of Lower Bethoron and Gazer, and came out at last to the sea.
4. It was divided between the two tribes that sprang from Joseph, those of Manasses and Ephraim.
5. The clans of Ephraim had a frontier which went along from the east as far as Ataroth-Addar and Upper Bethoron;✻
6. thence it extended to the sea; its northern point was Machmethath, and thence the boundary was drawn eastwards as far as Thanathselo. Then it passed to the east of Janoe,
7. and came down from Janoe to Ataroth and Naaratha, and so down towards Jericho, where it reached the Jordan again.
8. From Taphua it jutted out westwards as far as the Valley of Reeds, and so reached the sea.✻ Such were the possessions of the Ephraimite clans,
9. whose cities and townships were a separate enclosure in the middle of the territory which belonged to Manasses.
10. The tribe of Ephraim did not exterminate the Chanaanites who lived at Gazer, so that there are Chanaanites living to this day within the confines of Ephraim, but as tributaries.
Fußnoten:
16:1-4 - The inheritance of the tribe of Joseph is detailed, encompassing Ephraim and Manasseh. The emphasis on the unity of the tribes and their inheritances highlights the importance of unity in God's people (see also Psalm 133:1 and Ephesians 4:3).
16:5-10 - The cities and borders of Ephraim are described, reflecting the geographic and cultural diversity of the tribes of Israel. The allocation of land according to families emphasizes God's providence in distributing blessings (see also Psalm 16:6 and Proverbs 16:9).
16:9-10 - The text mentions Ephraim's inability to drive out the Canaanites, illustrating the challenges faced by God's people. This highlights the constant struggle between obedience to God and the influence of pagan cultures (see also Numbers 33:55 and 1 Corinthians 15:33).
16:8 - The reference to Jerusalem, which would become the holy city, points to the centrality of worship and the future importance of the city in the history of God's people (see also Psalm 48:1-2 and Hebrews 12:22-24).
16:10 - The recognition of the continued presence of the Canaanites in Ephraim highlights the importance of spiritual purity and the need to confront evil influences, indicating that victory is an ongoing battle (see also 2 Corinthians 6:14 and James 4:7).
Verse im Zusammenhang mit Joshua, 16:
Joshua chapter 16 describes the inheritance of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. How is Joseph's blessing manifested? This concise text delineates the territories assigned to Joseph's descendants. The chapter addresses themes of inheritance, divine blessing, and the complexities of incomplete conquest. Joshua 16 also reveals Israel's failures to completely expel the Canaanites. Consider with us five biblical passages that relate to the provocative themes of this eye-opening chapter.
Genesis 48:5: "Now therefore your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, shall be mine; Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, like Reuben and Simeon." - This passage explains why Ephraim and Manasseh, mentioned in Joshua 16, were given portions of land as separate tribes.
1 Chronicles 7:28-29: "Their possessions and settlements included Bethel and the villages around it, [...] and Shechem and the villages around it, as far as Aia and its villages." - This verse details some of the cities of the tribe of Ephraim, complementing the information in Joshua 16.
Judges 1:29: "Ephraim also did not expel the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, but the Canaanites continued to live among them." - This passage refers directly to Joshua 16:10, showing the historical continuity of the Canaanite presence in Gezer.
Psalms 78:67: "Furthermore, he rejected the tent of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;" - This verse references the tribe of Ephraim, whose heritage is described in Joshua 16, in the context of Israel's history.
Ezekiel 48:5: "Along the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west side, Ephraim will have a portion;" - This prophetic vision of Ezekiel echoes the division of the land described in Joshua 16, reaffirming the continuing importance of tribal inheritance.
FAQ:
What was assigned to the tribe of Ephraim in Joshua 16?
The tribe of Ephraim received a significant portion of land, with well-defined boundaries and several important cities, reflecting its importance and numbers. (Joshua 16:1-4)
What were the main cities in Ephraim's portion?
The main cities in Ephraim’s portion included Shechem and Bethel, which played important roles in the religious and social life of the tribe. (Joshua 16:6-8)
What was said about the conquest of the land of Ephraim?
Although the tribe of Ephraim received a good portion, there were still Canaanite cities that were not completely conquered, resulting in continued conflict. (Joshua 16:10)
What challenge did Ephraim face in his inheritance?
The challenge Ephraim faced was the presence of Canaanites in the assigned cities, which made it difficult to fully occupy and control the land. (Joshua 16:10)
How does the distribution of land to Ephraim reinforce God’s promise?
The distribution of the land to Ephraim reinforces God's promise to give the Israelites an inheritance in the Promised Land, according to the covenant with Abraham. (Joshua 16:4)
