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Joshua 16

Joshua 16 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Joshua 16 lists the land given to Ephraim, one of the tribes descended from Joseph. The chapter traces the borders of the inheritance and ends by noting that the people did not remove the Canaanites from Gezer, who remained among them as forced laborers.

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What happens in Joshua 16?

This chapter describes the territory assigned to the descendants of Joseph, focusing on Ephraim's portion. It gives a detailed account of the borders, landmarks, and places that marked the tribe's inheritance. The passage also notes that Ephraim shared some cities and villages within Manasseh's land. The chapter ends with an important detail: the Israelites did not drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, so they remained in the land under forced labor.

Joshua 16 comes in the section where the land of Canaan is being divided among the tribes after the conquest. It follows the description of Judah's inheritance and begins the record of the Joseph tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh. This chapter helps show how the covenant land was distributed among the families of Israel.

Themes to notice

  • InheritanceGod's promised land is divided among the tribes according to their allotted portion.
  • BoundariesThe chapter carefully records borders, towns, and landmarks that define Ephraim's territory.
  • Partial obedienceThe failure to remove the Canaanites in Gezer leaves an unresolved presence in the land.

Questions for Joshua 16

  • What stands out to you about the way Ephraim's inheritance is described in this chapter?
  • Why do you think the chapter includes so many border details and place names?
  • What might the final verse suggest about the consequences of not fully driving out the Canaanites?

Read the full text of Joshua 16 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Joshua 16

Ephraim’s Inheritance

1The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel.2It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz) and proceeded to the border of the Archites in Ataroth.3Then it descended westward to the border of the Japhletites as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon and on to Gezer, and it ended at the Sea.

4So Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, received their inheritance.5This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon6and out toward the Sea. From Michmethath on the north it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh and passed by it to Janoah on the east.7From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.8From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the Sea. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim,9along with all the cities and villages set apart for the descendants of Ephraim within the inheritance of Manasseh.10But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, but they are forced laborers.

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