History · Chapter 17 of 24
Joshua 17
Manasseh receives its allotment, and the daughters of Zelophehad come forward to claim the inheritance promised them, receiving land among their kinsmen. The tribe of Joseph then complains that its portion is too small. Joshua answers not with more territory handed freely, but with a summons to clear the forested hills and to trust God against the Canaanites' iron chariots.
What happens in Joshua 17
The chapter opens with Manasseh, firstborn of Joseph, and its clans. Notably, the five daughters of Zelophehad, who had no brothers, approach Eleazar and Joshua and receive an inheritance among their father's kin, honoring an earlier ruling given through Moses. Manasseh's borders are traced, though the tribe could not drive out the Canaanites in several fortified towns, later subjecting them to forced labor.
Then the sons of Joseph protest to Joshua that a single lot is too little for so numerous a people. Joshua challenges them: if they are so great, let them go up and clear the wooded highlands for themselves. They object that the valley Canaanites have iron chariots. Joshua insists they are strong and will indeed drive out those foes, telling them the mountain and its forests will be theirs.
Joshua 17 in context
This continues the tribal allotments, focusing on Manasseh, the other son of Joseph. The daughters of Zelophehad had first appeared in Numbers 27, where God upheld their right to inherit. Their reappearance here shows that ruling being honored in practice.
Joshua's exchange with Joseph's tribe reflects the recurring tension between the promise of land and the labor and faith required to actually possess it.
Main themes of Joshua 17
Joshua 17 (KJV)
1There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan. 2There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families. 3But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father. 5And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan; 6Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh’s sons had the land of Gilead. 7And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah. 8Now Manasseh had the land of Tappuah: but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim; 9And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea: 10Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east. 11And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries. 12Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. 13Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, but did not utterly drive them out. 14And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? 15And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. 16And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. 17And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: 18But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.
Verses to carry from Joshua 17
“And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.”Joshua 17:4
“And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?”Joshua 17:14
“But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.”Joshua 17:18
Thematic connection
How Joshua 17 points to Jesus
The daughters of Zelophehad receiving an inheritance among their brothers quietly anticipates the gospel's wide embrace, where in Christ there is neither male nor female, and all who belong to Him become heirs together. Their standing before Eleazar and Joshua foreshadows a family where inheritance is not restricted by human limitation but granted by God's gracious word. And Joshua's charge to face the iron chariots by faith points ahead to the life of trust Christ calls His people to walk.
The obstacles look overwhelming, yet the promise stands. As Israel was told the mountain would be theirs if they went up in faith, so believers are assured the victory in Christ, who has already gone before and secured the inheritance for every son and daughter of God.
Questions about Joshua 17
Why is the account of Zelophehad's daughters repeated here?
Their case, first decided in Numbers, is now carried out in the actual dividing of the land. Repeating it shows that God's word is not merely spoken but performed. The daughters had appealed for justice, and the promise held firm years later. It demonstrates that the Lord remembers His rulings and that the vulnerable have a secure claim under His law.
Was Joshua being harsh in telling Joseph to clear the forest?
Not harsh, but honest. Joseph wanted more land without more effort. Joshua affirmed their strength and turned their complaint into a commission. The inheritance was real, but it had to be entered by faith and labor. His answer refused to let self pity replace courage, calling a great people to act like one and trust the promise against the chariots.
Reflection
When I face what looks like iron chariots, obstacles larger than my strength, do I retreat or trust the promise? Like Joseph's tribe I can plead that my portion is too small while shrinking from the hills God has given me to clear. Christ has gone before me. The victory is His, and He calls me to go up.
A prayer from Joshua 17
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