Berean Study Bible Ephraim’s InheritanceJoseph’s inheritance was divided between Ephraim and Manasseh, giving his family two tribal portions in Israel. Jacob had granted Joseph’s sons full standing among the tribes, preserving Joseph’s honored place within the covenant family. Jos 17:14 Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua,… extended from the Jordan at Jericho The boundary began near the Jordan opposite Jericho, where Israel first entered Canaan under Joshua. This area marked the transition from the eastern wilderness into the land God had given them. Jos 3:16 The flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream.… to the waters of Jericho on the east, The springs near Jericho provided vital water in the Jordan Valley and helped define the eastern edge of Joseph’s territory. 2Ki 2:19-22 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note,… through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho From the lowlands near Jericho, the boundary rose through rugged wilderness toward the central highlands. The ascent followed the natural change from the Jordan Valley to the hill country. Jos 18:12 On the north side their border began at the Jordan,… into the hill country of Bethel. Bethel, meaning “House of God,” lay in the central highlands and held an important place in Israel’s earlier history through Jacob. Its elevated position made the surrounding region valuable for settlement, travel, and defense. Jos 18:13 From there the border crossed over to the southern slope… It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz) Bethel, meaning “House of God,” was associated with Jacob’s encounter with God and became an important place in Israel’s history. Formerly called Luz, it lay near the boundary between Benjamin and Ephraim and marked the beginning of Joseph’s territorial border. Gen 28:19 and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city… and proceeded to the border of the Archites The border continued through territory associated with the Archites, a family group known later through Hushai the Archite, David’s loyal counselor. Their inclusion identifies a recognized local boundary within the land allotted to Joseph. 2Sa 16:16 And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom… in Ataroth. Ataroth, meaning “crowns,” stood along the border region between Ephraim and neighboring territories. Its mention helps define the inheritance assigned to Joseph’s descendants and records the orderly division of the land God had given Israel. Num 32:34-35 And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,… Then it descended westward The boundary moved down from the hill country toward the western lowlands, following the natural terrain toward the coastal plain. Jos 15:10 The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir… to the border of the Japhletites This marked a neighboring clan or district within the allotted land. 1Ch 7:32-33 Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham,… as far as the border of Lower Beth-horon Lower Beth-horon lay on the important ascent and descent route between the coastal plain and the central highlands, giving it lasting military and commercial significance. 1Ki 9:17 So Solomon rebuilt Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, and on to Gezer, Gezer stood near major trade routes and guarded access between the interior and the coast. Though assigned within Israel’s territory, it remained a Canaanite stronghold for a time. 1Ki 9:16 Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer.… and it ended at the Sea. The Mediterranean formed Ephraim’s western boundary. Jos 23:4 See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes… So Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s two sons were adopted by Jacob as his own, giving each a full tribal inheritance in Israel. Though Joseph was one son of Jacob, his family received a double portion through Ephraim and Manasseh. Gen 48:5 And now your two sons born to you in Egypt… the sons of Joseph, Born in Egypt to Joseph and Asenath, they became heads of tribes when Jacob blessed them before his death. Ephraim, though younger, received the greater blessing and later became a leading tribe in the northern part of Israel. Num 26:28-37 The descendants of Joseph included the clans of… received their inheritance. Their allotted territories fulfilled God’s promise to give Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Ephraim received land in the central hill country, while Manasseh held territory both west and east of the Jordan. Jos 17:14-18 Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua,… This was the territory of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: Ephraim received its inheritance in the central hill country of Canaan, a productive and strategically important region. The land was assigned according to clans, preserving family holdings within the tribe and carrying forward the inheritance promised to Joseph’s descendants. Num 26:28-37 The descendants of Joseph included the clans of… The border of their inheritance went from Ataroth-addar in the east to Upper Beth-horon These landmarks marked Ephraim’s southern boundary near Benjamin. Ataroth-addar, meaning “crowns of Addar,” lay near Benjamin, while Upper Beth-horon, meaning “house of hollows,” stood along a major route between the coastal plain and the interior highlands, giving Ephraim access to an important military and trade corridor. Jos 18:13-14 From there the border crossed over to the southern slope… and out toward the Sea. The boundary extended westward to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the outer edge of Ephraim’s inheritance. Jos 15:12 And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea.… From Michmethath on the north Michmethath lay near the region of Shechem and served as a northern landmark for Ephraim’s territory. Jos 17:7 Now the border of Manasseh went from Asher to Michmethath… it turned eastward toward Taanath-shiloh From there the boundary changed direction toward Taanath-shiloh, east of Shechem, in the hill country associated with Israel’s early worship at Shiloh. Jos 18:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh.… and passed by it to Janoah on the east. The line continued to Janoah, defining the eastern reach of Ephraim’s allotted land with the same care shown throughout the tribal divisions. 2Ki 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser came… From Janoah Janoah lay in the hill country of Ephraim, though its precise site is unknown. From there the boundary followed the descending terrain eastward through the central highlands. 2Ki 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser came… it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, Ataroth and Naarah marked points along Ephraim’s eastern border. Their placement reflects the varied landscape between the hill country and the Jordan Valley. Jos 18:13 From there the border crossed over to the southern slope… and then reached Jericho Jericho stood near the western side of the Jordan Valley and served as a major landmark. Its fertile oasis and strategic location made it an important city in the land Israel received. Jos 18:21 These were the cities of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin:… and came out at the Jordan. The boundary ended at the Jordan River, which formed Ephraim’s eastern limit. The river also marked the route by which Israel entered the promised land under Joshua. Jos 19:34 Then the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor… From Tappuah From Tappuah, meaning “apple,” the boundary of Ephraim extended from a town near the border it shared with Manasseh, reflecting the close territorial relationship between Joseph’s two tribes. Jos 17:8 The region of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh… the border went westward From Tappuah, Ephraim’s border ran westward across the central hill country toward the coastal plain, following the Brook Kanah to the Mediterranean Sea. This boundary marked the northern edge of Ephraim’s allotted land. Jos 15:10 The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir… to the Brook of Kanah The boundary extended to the Brook of Kanah, meaning “reed” or “stalk,” which separated Ephraim’s territory from Manasseh’s in this region. Jos 17:9 From there the border continued southward.… and ended at the Sea. The Mediterranean formed Ephraim’s western limit and provided access to the coastal region. Num 34:6 Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea;… This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, This land was distributed among the clans of the tribe of Ephraim as their permanent inheritance in the land God gave to Israel. Jos 19:50 as the LORD had commanded. They gave him the city… along with all the cities and villages Ephraim’s allotment included fortified towns and smaller farming communities, providing places for government, trade, defense, and daily life. Jos 13:28 This was the inheritance of the clans of the Gadites,… set apart for the descendants of Ephraim These settlements were assigned to Ephraim, Joseph’s younger son, whose tribe became one of the leading tribes in Israel. Jos 17:9 From there the border continued southward.… within the inheritance of Manasseh. Some Ephraimite towns lay within Manasseh’s territory, reflecting the close connection between the two tribes descended from Joseph and the detailed division of the land among Israel. Jos 17:11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean,… But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. Gezer was an important fortified city in the western foothills, controlling routes between the coastal plain and the hill country. Ephraim subdued its inhabitants but did not remove them from the land as commanded. This incomplete conquest left a Canaanite population within Israel’s inheritance. Jdg 1:29 Ephraim also failed to drive out the Canaanites… So the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, Their continued residence shows that the arrangement endured for generations. Living alongside the Canaanites exposed Israel to their religious practices and weakened the separation God required of His people. Jdg 1:30 Zebulun failed to drive out the inhabitants of Kitron… but they are forced laborers. Ephraim gained economic benefit from the Canaanites’ labor but accepted a compromise rather than complete obedience. Gezer remained Canaanite until Pharaoh later captured it and gave it to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. Jos 17:13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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