14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”(A)

15 “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest(B) and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites(C) and Rephaites.(D)

16 The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron,(E) both those in Beth Shan(F) and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”(G)

17 But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment(H) 18 but the forested hill country(I) as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron(J) and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

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More Land for Ephraim and Manasseh

14 (A)Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only (B)one [a]lot and one share to inherit, since we are (C)a great people, inasmuch as the Lord has blessed us until now?”

15 So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”

16 But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have (D)chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are (E)of the Valley of Jezreel.”

17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one [b]lot, 18 but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its [c]farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, (F)though they have iron chariots and are strong.”

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Footnotes

  1. Joshua 17:14 allotment
  2. Joshua 17:17 allotment
  3. Joshua 17:18 Lit. goings out