Joshua 16:1

Land Is Given to Ephraim and Manasseh

1 The land that was given to the two tribes in the family line of Joseph began at the Jordan River near Jericho. Their border started east of the springs of Jericho. It went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel.

Joshua 16:1 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 16:1

And the lot of the children of Joseph fell
Or, "went out" {a}; of the pot or urn, this being the next lot that was drawn to that of Judah, the government being Judah's, and the birthright Joseph's, ( 1 Chronicles 5:2 ) ; and by his children are here meant the tribe of Ephraim, and the tribe of Manasseh: or the line and border according to the lot went forth

from Jordan by Jericho unto the water of Jericho on the east;
by which it appears, that this was the southern border of the lot; for the tribe of Benjamin, in which Jericho was, lay between Judah and Ephraim, and the border began at Jordan, where it flowed near Jericho, and proceeded to a water which belonged to that city, and is generally thought to be the waters Elisha healed, ( 2 Kings 2:19-22 ) ;

to the wilderness that goeth up throughout Mount Bethel;
this was the wilderness of Bethaven, ( Joshua 18:12 ) ; Jarchi interprets it of the border that went up through Mount Bethel; which is true, and so might the wilderness also, for which the Targum is express; mention is made of a mountain on the east of Bethel, ( Genesis 12:8 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (auyw) "et egressa est", Pagninus, Montanus; "exivit", Piscator.

Joshua 16:1 In-Context

1 The land that was given to the two tribes in the family line of Joseph began at the Jordan River near Jericho. Their border started east of the springs of Jericho. It went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel.

2 Bethel is also called Luz. From Bethel it crossed over to Ataroth. That's where the Arkites live.

3 Then it went west down to the territory of the Japhletites. It went all the way to the area of Lower Beth Horon. It went on to Gezer. It came to an end at the Mediterranean Sea.

4 The tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim were from the family line of Joseph. So they received that land as their share.

5 Here is the territory that was given to the tribe of Ephraim, family group by family group. The border of their share of land started at Ataroth Addar in the east. It went to Upper Beth Horon.