Joshua-Chapter-16

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Re Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2“Mechon-Mamre.org (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

YYYYYYY

Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

YYYYYYY

“Joshua Chapter 16”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:
Joshua Chapter 16 begins the detailed description of the territory allotted to the “Sons of Joseph” specifically the tribes of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This region constitutes the central spine of the Land of Israel, a fertile and strategic heartland. While the previous chapters focused on Judah in the south, this section highlights the fulfilment of the birthright blessings given by Jacob to Joseph's sons. It outlines a border that stretches from the Jordan River in the east toward the Mediterranean Sea in the west, defining the northern boundaries of the initial conquest.

YYYYYYY

Joshua Chapter 16, verses 1 to 10: Whilst below the verses are the Explanation’s. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

Verse 1: And the lot for the children of Joseph went out from the Jordan at Jericho, at the waters of Jericho on the east, going up from Jericho through the hill-country to the wilderness, even to Beth-el.

Explanation: Verse 1 establishes the southern boundary of the Josephite allotment. It starts at the Jordan near Jericho and moves westward through the wilderness into the hill country of Beth’el. This “lot” originally treated Ephraim and Manasseh as a single powerful unit.

Verse 2: And it went out from Beth-el-luz, and passed along unto the border of the Archites to Ataroth.

Explanation: Verse 2 continues the westward line, moving from the heights of Beth-el (Luz) toward the territory of the Archites at Ataroth. This shows the border following natural ridges and established Canaanite landmarks.

Verse 3: And it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, unto the border of Beth-horon the nether, even unto Gezer; and the goings out thereof were at the sea.

Explanation: Verse 3 tracks the descent toward the sea. The border goes down to the territory of the Japhletites and reaches Lower Beth-horon and Gezer, ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This confirms the tribe's reach across the entire width of the land.

Verse 4: And the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

Explanation: Verse 4 clarifies that this vast central territory was the shared inheritance of the two sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, marking their status as primary stakeholders in the land.

Verse 5: And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus; even the border of their inheritance eastward was Atroth-addar, unto Beth-horon the upper.

Explanation: Verse 5 shifts focus specifically to the borders of the children of Ephraim according to their families. Their primary southern border is defined here as running from Ataroth-addar unto Upper Beth-horon.

Verse 6: And the border went out westward, Mich-methath being on the north; and the border turned about eastward unto Taanath-shiloh, and passed along it on the east of Janoah.

Explanation: Verse 6 describes the northern and eastern shifts of the boundary. It mentions Michmethath on the north and then circles eastward toward Taanath-shiloh, passing along the east of Janoah.

Verse 7: And it went down from Janoah to Ataroth, and to Naarah, and reached unto Jericho, and went out at the Jordan.

Explanation: Verse 7 follows the line down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, eventually reaching the vicinity of Jericho and terminating at the Jordan River.

Verse 8: From Tappuah the border went along westward to the brook of Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families;

Explanation: Verse 8 details the westward line from Tappuah to the brook of Kanah. This “brook of Kanah” served as a major natural boundary between Ephraim and their brother-tribe, Manasseh, before ending at the sea.

Verse 9: together with the cities which were separated for the children of Ephraim in the midst of the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.

Explanation: Verse 9 explains that the geography was not strictly linear. Ephraim also held “separate cities” that were physically located within the borders of Manasseh's inheritance, highlighting the close intertwining of these two brother-tribes.

Verse 10: And they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in the midst of Ephraim, unto this day, and became servants to do taskwork.

Explanation: Verse 10 records a significant historical reality: the Ephraimites did not fully drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer. Instead, the Canaanites remained among the Ephraimites but were subjected to “taskwork”, or forced labour. This note serves as a reminder of the incomplete nature of the occupation in certain strategic coastal areas.

YYYYYYY

My Closing Message:
The account of Ephraim’s inheritance reminds us that a legacy is both a gift and a responsibility. While the "Sons of Joseph" received the choice central lands of Israel, the text concludes with the reality of coexistence with the Canaanites in Gezer. This suggests that while the borders were clearly defined by Divine lot, the actual security and purity of the land depended on the tribe's internal strength and diligence. Inheritance is not merely about the ground one stands on, but about the standard one maintains within those borders.

YYYYYYY

Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hostsMal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

YYYYYYY

“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

Enter ... 

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

 

Enter ... 

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

 

 

 

 

-hebraicstudies.net-

 

 

 

Email the Rabbi

 

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

 

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

 

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...

Copyright © 2025 - “Hebraic Studies” - All rights reserved.