Joshua 16:5-10

5 This was the territory of Ephraim, according to its clans: The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon

6 and continued to the Mediterranean Sea. From Mikmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east.

7 Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and came out at the Jordan.

8 From Tappuah the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, according to its clans.

9 It also included all the towns and their villages that were set aside for the Ephraimites within the inheritance of the Manassites.

10 They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.

Joshua 16:5-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 16

This chapter gives us an account of the lot of the children of Joseph, Ephraim, and the half tribe of Manasseh, one half having settled on the other side Jordan; and first the borders of the whole lot in general are given, Jos 16:1-4; and then the borders of the tribe of Ephraim in particular, Jos 16:4-8; and it is observed, that this tribe had besides separate cities among the children of Manasseh, and that there were some Canaanites, particularly in Gezer, not driven out by the Ephraimites, Jos 16:9,10.

Cross References

• 1. ver 2; Joshua 18:13
• 2. S Joshua 10:10
• 3. Joshua 17:7
• 4. ver 7; 2 Kings 15:29
• 5. S ver 6
• 6. S Numbers 32:3; 1 Chronicles 7:28
• 7. S Joshua 12:17
• 8. Joshua 17:9; Joshua 19:28
• 9. Ezekiel 48:5
• 10. S Joshua 15:63; Joshua 17:13; Judges 1:28-29; 1 Kings 9:16