Joshua 17:14-18

The Voice

Joseph’s Descendants: Why are we only receiving one share, one portion to inherit, since we are numerous and the Eternal has always generously blessed us?

Joshua (to Joseph’s descendants): ¹⁵ If there are so many of you and the hill country of Ephraim is too crowded, then why don’t you go up into the forests? Clear more land for yourselves and spread out where the Perizzites and the Rephaim live.

Joseph’s Descendants: ¹⁶ The hill country does not have enough room for us; and what’s more, all the Canaanites who inhabit the plains in Beth-shean and its villages and in the valley of Jezreel have iron chariots to use against us.

Joshua (to Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s descendants): ¹⁷ All right; it’s true that there are many of you and that you are powerful. You should not have just one share. ¹⁸ The hill country will be yours, and you can clear the forests and possess the land to its farthest borders. But you will have to defeat the Canaanites even with their iron chariots and powerful warriors.