Joshua 16

Chap. XVI. Ver. 1-10. Joseph and Ephraim’s allotment. —Our situation and provision in this present life, as well as our future inheritance, are appointed by the only wise and righteous God: and we should learn to acknowledge his goodness with [thankfulness].

Notes on the verses

Chap. XVI. Ver. 1. The children of Joseph.—That is, the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Ver. 2. From Beth-el to Luz.—By (Genesis 28:19). Beth-el and Luz appear to have been different names for the same place. Dr. Clarke thinks they might be connected, as London, Westminster, and Southwark, all which are often included under London. Beth-el was perhaps a field adjacent to Luz, and afterwards being built over, formed one town.

Ver. 3, Beth-horon.—Eusebius says that the two Beth-horons were twelve miles from Jerusalem towards Nicopolis or Emmaus; of which the one, called upper Beth-horon, from its situation, was built (rebuilt) by Solomon, and the other, called nether Beth-horon, was given to the Levites.

Josephus places Beth-horon about 100 furlongs from Jerusalem. Dr. Clarke mentions an Arab village called Bethoor, about twelve miles from Jerusalem, between Rama and Jeremiah, which he supposes, from its situation on a hill, to be Beth-horon the upper.—Bagster.

Ver. 9. The separate cities.—That is, the cities that were separated from the tribe of Manasseh to be given to Ephraim, ch. xvii. 9.

Ver. 10. The Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer—Were not wholly expelled before the time of Solomon, when the king of Egypt gave it to Solomon, as a peace [pledge] with his daughter. (1 Kings 9:16). They were, however, tributary from this time.