Joshua 17:9

"The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh; but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim."

Key Reflection

In Joshua 17:9, we see a specific delineation within the land distribution among the tribes of Israel. The verse indicates that while the broader region of Tappuah was allocated to Manasseh, certain cities, including Tappuah itself on its border, were given to the children of Ephraim. This reflects the complex and often overlapping nature of territorial divisions during this period. Such arrangements highlight the intricate negotiations and agreements necessary among Israelite tribes as they settled into their allotted lands, a process that involved both strategic planning and sometimes shared territories due to geographical or political considerations.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

These cities ... -The text is possibly corrupt. The intention seems to be to state that the cities lying south of the river, though within the limits of Manasseh, were in fact made over to Ephraim, and were among the “separate cities”Joshua 16:9. On the contrary, the north bank of the river, both land and towns, belonged to Manasseh exclusively.

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