History · Chapter 16 of 24

Joshua 16

The lot for the children of Joseph is measured out, and the borders of Ephraim are traced from Jericho and Bethel westward to the sea. Ephraim receives a rich portion among the tribes. Yet the chapter closes with an honest admission of failure: they did not drive out the Canaanites of Gezer, who remained among them under forced labor rather than being removed.

What happens in Joshua 16

The surveyors mark the northern portion of Joseph, beginning at the Jordan near Jericho and running through the hill country by Bethel and Bethhoron toward the Mediterranean. Ephraim, the younger son whom Jacob had blessed above Manasseh, receives its inheritance with defined towns and villages, including cities set apart among Manasseh's territory. The land is fruitful and central, sitting in the heart of the promised country.

But the writer records a shadow over the gift. Ephraim did not expel the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. Instead of obeying the command to dispossess them, the Israelites allowed these inhabitants to remain, placing them under tribute. This compromise, noted matter of factly, would echo through Israel's later history as a lingering snare left unresolved.

Joshua 16 in context

Joshua chapters 13 through 21 record the division of Canaan among the tribes after the main campaigns of conquest. This portion covers the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, who together formed a dominant northern presence.

The refrain of tribes failing to fully drive out the Canaanites appears repeatedly here and sets up the tragic pattern that opens the book of Judges, where unfinished obedience becomes a persistent thorn.

Main themes of Joshua 16

Joshua 16 (KJV)

1And 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, 2And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth, 3And 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. 4So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. 5And 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; 6And 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; 7And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan. 8The 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. 9And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages. 10And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

Verses to carry from Joshua 16

“So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.”Joshua 16:4

“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;”Joshua 16:5

“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.”Joshua 16:10

Reflection

Where have I settled for partial obedience, leaving something in my life under tribute rather than removed? The Canaanites of Gezer began as a small compromise and grew into a snare. Christ offers not a managed truce with what defiles me but full cleansing. I can bring the unfinished corners of my heart to Him.

A prayer from Joshua 16