Joshua 16-17

CHAPTER 16:           
          Moving northward, the next two territories on the list are Ephraim and Manasseh. Even though Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph, his tribe is always mentioned before Manasseh because Jacob gave the first blessing to Ephraim. (Genesis 48:17-19) Ephraim’s southern boundary begins at Jericho, which it shares with the tribe of Benjamin, and extends westward to Beth-el. (v.1) Earlier in Genesis 28:19, Beth-el and Luz are referred to as the same place, but here there is a distinction made between the two locales.
            Ataroth-addar (v.5) and Ataroth (v.7) are two different cities. Hushai, the friend of King David (2 Samuel 15:32), is an Archite, which is the name of the original inhabitants of those cities. As is evident from that cross reference, the Archites are never completely eliminated from the land per God’s original instructions to Moses and Joshua.
            Janoah (v.7) is mentioned in 2 Kings 15:29 as one of the cities captured by Tiglath-pileser.
            Gezer was previously mentioned in Joshua 10:33 as already being conquered and its people wiped out as part of the southern campaign described in that chapter. Yet here in verse 10 it’s apparent that either all of Gezer’s inhabitants were not completely driven out or killed, or some escaped the original conquest and returned sometime later to rebuild the city. (Keep in mind the seven year span of the conquest of the promised land.) Gezer is mentioned in 1 Kings 9:16 as part of Pharaoh’s gift to Solomon’s wife.
            As with other passages in the conquest narrative, the author makes it a point to say that Israel failed to completely wipe out all the inhabitants of Canaan. Whether it was because of weariness from war or due to lack of faith is not clear from the text. Either way, they failed to follow through completely with God’s commandments in this regard and, just as God had predicted, this became a major weakness and a source of grievous sin for this generation’s descendants.

CHAPTER 17:
         This passage details Manasseh’s borders, and verse 1 tells us that this tribe was renowned for their military prowess and might. That’s another reason that Moses granted them some of the land east of the Jordan River where Gilead and Bashan are located.
 
         Verses 2-6: Unlike the previous chapter, Manasseh’s clans are listed here by name, descended from the sons of Manasseh. (v.2) His firstborn, Machir, who was the father of Gilead, had a great grandson named Zelophehad who bore only daughters. These are the same daughters who came before Moses in Numbers 27 to dispute the laws of inheritance, and here in verse 3 they’re again listed by name, starting with the oldest. (Numbers 26:33) Later on, another dispute arose regarding the possibility of these daughters marrying into other tribes and thus causing their inheritance to leave the tribe of Manasseh. (Numbers 36:2-4) The final resolution for this matter was that the daughters were forbidden to marry outside of their tribe.
            Now they come before Eleazar and Joshua to receive their family’s portion of the land inheritance, and Joshua gladly grants it to them, “…according to the commandment of the Lord…”. (v.4) This made the total portions – or districts – of Manasseh’s land east of the Jordan ten instead of just five. (v.5-6)
 
            Verses 7-13: The land granted to West Manasseh is among the largest of all the tribes. (Refer back to the map in chapter 13.) Its eastern border is the Jordan River and the western border the Mediterranean Sea. (v.9) Along the southern border at Tappuah, Manasseh shares the land with Ephraim to whom belongs the city of Tappuah. (v.9) (Joshua 16:8) The town of Endor (v.11) is where King Saul will meet secretly with a witch (1 Samuel 28:7), and it’s also mentioned in Psalm 83:9-10 as the site where Israel will have victory over the Midianites.
            Once again, the author makes a footnote regarding the Canaanites that dwelled in the cities listed in verse 11. Israel fails to completely drive them out, but instead makes them slaves. This was not God’s command, and it will cause the Israelites much grief later on. (Judges 1:27-28)

            Verses 14-18: Both tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh complain to Joshua about the size of their land, saying that it’s too small for both their tribes! They don’t think it’s fair that they both receive only one lot together instead of one lot for each of them. (v.14) The reason for this complaint is that God has blessed their tribes with many offspring, and thus there isn’t enough land for all of their families to settle. Joshua’s answer is simple: clear out the highland forests that are currently inhabited by “…the Perizzites and of the giants…” (v.15)
            Notice the contrast between the great faith of Caleb (Joshua 14:12) and the utter lack of faith of the men of Ephraim and Manasseh! (v.16) These men took one look at the chariots of iron used by the Canaanites, and they trembled with fear instead of going forth boldly in faith, taking hold of the promise that God had given them at the start of this whole campaign! Joshua’s response is a stern rebuke for their doubt and lack of faith. (v.17-18) He again reminds them of the great number of warriors in their two tribes and that God is with them. “…Thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.”
            Sadly, however, verses 12 and 13 confirm that the men of Ephraim and Manasseh did not heed Joshua’s advice. They settled for the path of least resistance and instead made the Canaanites slaves. Their lack of faith and their disobedience will cause them – and all of Israel – much grief later on.