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Joshua 16

Josh 16, Jos 16, Jsh 16


Joshua 16

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;

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.

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Summary and the Meaning of Joshua 16: The Allotment of Ephraim

The sixteenth chapter of the book of Joshua in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is primarily about the division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes. Specifically, this chapter focuses on the allotment of land for the tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The main themes of this chapter include the fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites, the importance of obedience and faithfulness, and the significance of inheritance and legacy.

The Background of Joshua 16

The book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament and serves as a continuation of the story of the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. After the death of Moses, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites and led them into Canaan, the land that God promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The book of Joshua is divided into two main parts: the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land among the tribes of Israel.

In the previous chapters, the Israelites have successfully conquered the cities of Jericho and Ai, and the southern region of Canaan has been divided among the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. In Joshua 16, the focus shifts to the northern region of Canaan, where the land is divided among the remaining seven tribes.

The Allotment of Ephraim

The chapter begins by stating that the lot for the tribe of Joseph fell to the west of the Jordan River, and the land was divided among the descendants of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The tribe of Manasseh received their allotment first, which is described in the previous chapter. Now, it is the turn of the tribe of Ephraim to receive their inheritance.

The tribe of Ephraim was one of the largest and most powerful tribes of Israel, and their allotment was located in the central part of Canaan, between the territories of Manasseh and Benjamin. The boundaries of their land were defined by the Jordan River in the east, the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and the territories of Manasseh and Benjamin in the north and south, respectively.

The city of Bethel, which was known as the "house of God," was also located within the territory of Ephraim. This city held great significance for the Israelites as it was the place where Jacob had his dream of a ladder reaching up to heaven, and God promised to give the land to his descendants (Genesis 28:10-22). The city of Bethel would later become an important religious center for the Israelites.

The Incomplete Conquest of Ephraim

Although the tribe of Ephraim received a large and fertile land, they were unable to fully conquer it. This is mentioned in verse 10, which states that the Ephraimites did not drive out the Canaanites who were living in Gezer, a city located within their territory. This incomplete conquest would later lead to trouble and conflict for the Israelites, as the Canaanites would become a thorn in their side and cause them to stray from God's commandments.

This serves as a reminder that even though God had given the Israelites the land, it was their responsibility to fully conquer and possess it. This is a lesson for us today as well, that we must be diligent in our faith and obedience to fully possess the blessings that God has promised us.

The Faithfulness of Joshua

In verses 1-4, we see Joshua's faithfulness in fulfilling God's commandments. The Lord had commanded that the land be divided among the tribes by casting lots, and Joshua ensured that this was done. He did not show favoritism or make decisions based on his personal preferences but followed God's instructions. This shows Joshua's trust in God and his obedience to His commands.

Joshua's faithfulness and obedience serve as an example for us to follow. In our own lives, we must trust in God's plan and follow His commandments, even when it may be difficult or go against our own desires.

The Inheritance and Legacy of Ephraim

The chapter ends by mentioning that the Israelites did not drive out the Canaanites in Gezer, but instead, they made them pay tribute. This suggests that the Ephraimites were content with receiving tribute from the Canaanites rather than fully possessing their land. This is a reflection of their lack of faith and obedience, which would later lead to consequences for their tribe and the Israelites as a whole.

This serves as a reminder that our actions and decisions have consequences, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. The Israelites' incomplete conquest of the land would continue to cause problems for their descendants, and this serves as a lesson for us to be mindful of our choices and their impact on our legacy.

The Meaning of Joshua 16

The sixteenth chapter of the book of Joshua holds great significance for the Israelites and for us today. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, the importance of obedience and faithfulness, and the impact of our actions on our inheritance and legacy.

Firstly, this chapter shows how God fulfilled His promise to the Israelites by giving them the land of Canaan. This was a promise that was made to their ancestors, and through their faith and obedience, the Israelites were able to possess the land. This serves as a reminder that God is faithful to His promises, and we can trust in Him to fulfill them in His perfect timing.

Secondly, the chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience and faithfulness. We see this through Joshua's actions in following God's instructions and the consequences that the Israelites faced for their lack of faith and obedience. This serves as a reminder that our faith and obedience are essential in possessing the blessings that God has promised us.

Lastly, this chapter highlights the impact of our actions on our inheritance and legacy. The Israelites' incomplete conquest of the land would continue to cause problems for their descendants, and this serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. We must be mindful of our choices and strive to leave a positive legacy for those who come after us.

In conclusion, the sixteenth chapter of the book of Joshua is a reminder of God's faithfulness, the importance of obedience and faithfulness, and the impact of our actions on our inheritance and legacy. As we continue to journey through life, let us remember these lessons and strive to follow God's plan for us.

This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.


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