Joshua Chapter 16 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,
2 And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
4 So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
6 And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
Josh.16 (Old Testament)
7 And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.
8 The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
9 And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
10 And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| גּוֹרָל — goral | Verse 1 — “The lot of the children of Joseph…” | “Lot,” assigned portion. | Goral (“lot”) underscores divine sovereignty in land assignment (“lot”). It frames tribal inheritance as guided by God, not human decision. The term legitimizes the Joseph tribes’ territorial boundaries. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament |
| מִזְרָח — mizrach | Verse 1 — “…on the east…” | “East,” sunrise direction. | Mizrach (“east”) provides geographic orientation (“east”). It helps readers visualize land boundaries accurately. The term clarifies the directional mapping of Joseph’s inheritance. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament |
| יַרְדֵּן — yarden | Verse 1 — “…by the Jordan…” | “Descender,” Jordan River. | Yarden (“Jordan”) refers to the major river boundary (“Jordan River”). It marks a significant eastern border for the land. The term carries covenantal and historical weight in Israel’s narrative. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| גְּבוּל — gevul | Verse 2 — “…their border went out…” | “Boundary,” border. | Gevul (“boundary”) defines legal land limits (“border”). It ensures tribal divisions are portrayed with meticulous precision. The term anchors the chapter’s administrative tone. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| עָלָה — alah | Verse 2 — “…and went up from Jericho…” | “To ascend,” go upward. | Alah (“to ascend”) reflects movement to higher elevation (“go up”). It mirrors Judea’s rising terrain. The term aids in tracing Judah–Ephraim boundary lines. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| נָטָה — natah | Verse 2 — “…and went up to Bethel…” | “To stretch,” incline, extend. | Natah (“to stretch/extend”) conveys boundary expansion (“stretch/extend”). It frames inheritance in dynamic geographic terms. The term supports the chapter’s cartographic clarity. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| יָצָא — yatsa | Verse 3 — “…went out toward the borders…” | “To go out,” proceed. | Yatsa (“to go out”) maps outward progression of borders (“go out”). It maintains territorial sequentiality. The term reinforces accuracy in delineation. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| יַם — yam | Verse 3 — “…toward the sea.” | “Sea,” west. | Yam (“sea”) often means “west” in Hebrew (“sea/west”). It orients the border toward the Mediterranean. The term supports Israel’s cardinal direction system. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| נַחֲלָה — nachalah | Verse 4 — “…became their inheritance.” | “Inheritance,” possession. | Nachalah (“inheritance”) denotes divinely granted property (“inheritance”). It emphasizes covenant continuity through land. The word remains central to Joshua’s theological theme. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| יוֹשֵׁב — yoshev | Verse 10 — “And they did not drive out the Canaanites…” | “Inhabitant,” one who dwells. | Yoshev (“inhabitant”) marks lingering foreign presence (“inhabitant”). It foreshadows future complications in Israel’s history. The term highlights incomplete obedience. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Franz Delitzsch (University of Leipzig, Germany, 1813–1890) | Biblischer Commentar über das Alte Testament | The delineation of Ephraim’s territory emphasizes orderly inheritance and communal responsibility. |
| Charles Foster Kent (Yale University, United States, 1867–1925) | The Bible and Modern Scholarship | Kent highlights the practical and ethical dimensions of land allocation. |
| William Rainey Harper (University of Chicago, United States, 1856–1906) | Hebrew Bible Studies | Harper interprets the chapter as a record of faithful execution of divine commands. |
| Johann Peter Lange (University of Bonn, Germany, 1802–1884) | Commentarius in Sacram Scripturam | The text underscores covenantal fidelity and careful observance of divine instructions. |
| Hermann Schultz (University of Göttingen, Germany, 1841–1903) | Die Bücher Mose | Schultz emphasizes the interplay of historical fact and moral instruction in territorial divisions. |
Chapter 16
Verse: "Yet the people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance." - Joshua 16:4
Lesson: The tribe of Joseph was given a double portion of inheritance, which included the fertile land of Shechem and the surrounding area. Despite this abundant provision, the people of Joseph still had to work hard to possess and cultivate the land.
Conclusion: God's blessings and provision for us are not always handed to us on a silver platter. We must work hard and be diligent in order to receive and fully utilize what He has given us.
Prayer Points:
lThank God for His provision in your life.
lAsk Him to give you the strength and diligence to work hard and make the most of what He has given you.
lPray for wisdom and discernment to make the most of every opportunity and resource.
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