Joshua Chapter 16

1. (Joshua 16:1–4) The borders of the land allotted to the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh

“The lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan, by Jericho, to the waters of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains to Bethel, then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth, and went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea. So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.”

Joshua records the inheritance given to the sons of Joseph, which includes the tribes of Ephraim and the western half-tribe of Manasseh. This land was located west of the Jordan River. It stretched from the area near Jericho, extended up into the mountainous regions toward Bethel and Luz, and continued westward until it reached the great sea, the Mediterranean. These boundaries demonstrate that God faithfully honored the promise first given to Joseph through Jacob, who prophesied that Joseph would be a fruitful vine and that his descendants would inherit a significant portion of the land. This inheritance was not a small or insignificant portion but was placed in the heart of the land, fertile and central, including key cities such as Bethel, Beth Horon, and Gezer.

This passage also emphasizes the unity yet distinction between the two tribes of Joseph. Though they were counted separately in terms of tribal identity—Ephraim and Manasseh—they shared a common inheritance because they both descended from Joseph. This fulfilled Jacob’s adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons in Genesis 48, granting Joseph a double portion among the tribes of Israel. The phrase “the lot fell” shows that though boundaries were drawn by human hands, the assignment of territory was determined by God’s sovereign will. The use of casting lots was not random chance but a divinely guided means of distributing land according to God’s plan.

Though the land was given, it still had to be possessed. The mention of regions like Gezer, which the Canaanites still occupied, shows that receiving an inheritance is not the same as fully enjoying it. God had given the land, but His people were responsible to step out in faith, drive out the remaining inhabitants, and fully claim what He had already promised. This is a recurring spiritual lesson: God provides the blessing, but His people must act in obedience to experience the fullness of it.

Just as Ephraim and Manasseh were called to occupy what God gave them, believers today are called to claim the spiritual inheritance they have in Christ, walking by faith, obedience, and perseverance.

2. (Joshua 16:5–10) The borders of the inheritance of Ephraim

“The border of the children of Ephraim, according to their families, was thus: The border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth Addar as far as Upper Beth Horon. And the border went out toward the sea on the north side of Michmethath; then the border went around eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed by it on the east of Janohah. Then it went down from Janohah to Ataroth and Naarah, reached to Jericho, and came out at the Jordan. The border went out from Tappuah westward to the Brook Kanah, and it ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages. And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.”

The tribe of Ephraim received a central and fertile portion of the Promised Land. Their territory stretched from Ataroth Addar to Upper Beth Horon on the east, then extended toward the Mediterranean Sea. It wrapped eastward around Taanath Shiloh and Janohah, passed near Jericho, and reached the Jordan River. The western boundary moved from Tappuah to the Brook Kanah and ended by the Great Sea. This region included strategic mountain passes, fertile valleys, and well-defended positions, making Ephraim one of the most influential tribes in Israel’s history. It later became the leading tribe in the northern kingdom and often symbolized the northern tribes as a whole in the prophetic books.

Although Ephraim had its own territory, some of their cities were located within the land assigned to Manasseh. This shows the close connection between the two tribes, both descended from Joseph, yet it also hints at future tensions between them as seen in Judges 8 and Judges 12. The land was rich, well-placed, and highly valued, yet it came with a serious warning attached.

a. They did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer:
Though God had given the land to them, the people of Ephraim failed to fully obey His command. Instead of destroying the Canaanite presence in Gezer, they allowed them to remain. This failure was not due to a lack of strength. Joshua had already defeated the king of Gezer (Joshua 10:33; 12:12). Their compromise came from a lack of obedience, not a lack of ability. The people of Ephraim chose convenience over complete obedience.

b. The Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers:
Ephraim turned God’s command into an economic decision. Rather than remove the Canaanites, they subjected them to forced labor. This may have brought temporary gain, but spiritual compromise always carries long-term consequences. Israel invited idolatry, immorality, and spiritual corruption into their land. What they tolerated would later dominate them during the time of the Judges. The first seeds of national decline were sown in moments like these.

• If they had the power to enslave the Canaanites, then they certainly had the power to obey God and remove them entirely.

• What begins as a small compromise often becomes a great snare. Israel later worshiped the gods of the peoples they refused to drive out. This was not a harmless decision but a direct act of disobedience.

c. Reasons for failure: love of peace and love of gain:
Israel’s failure to fully conquer was rooted in two motives. First, they wanted peace without the cost of battle. Second, they desired profit and labor more than obedience. They chose comfort rather than holiness. The same danger exists today. When believers accept spiritual compromise for the sake of ease or prosperity, they forfeit the fullness of God’s blessing.

This passage reminds us that partial obedience is disobedience. God had given them the land, but He expected them to walk in faith, drive out what defiled it, and possess it fully. Instead, Ephraim settled for less than God’s best.