161 Then the lot for the sons of Joseph went from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east into the wilderness , going up from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel . 2 It went from Bethel to Luz , and continued to the border of the Archites at Ataroth . 3 It went down westward to the territory of the Japhletites , as far as the territory of lower Beth-horon even to Gezer , and it ended e at the sea . 4 The sons of Joseph , Manasseh and Ephraim , received their inheritance .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 16:1-4
Complete ConciseChapter Contents
The sons of Joseph.
This and the following chapter should not be separated. They give the lots of Ephraim and Manasseh, the children of Joseph, who, next to Judah, were to have the post of honour, and therefore had the first and best portion in the northern part of Canaan, as Judah in the southern part. God's people now, as of old, suffer his enemies to remain. Blessed Lord, when will all our enemies be subdued? 1 Corinthians 15:26. Do thou drive them all out; thou alone canst do it. These settled boundaries may remind us, that our situation and provision in this life, as well as our future inheritance, are appointed by the only wise and righteous God, and we should be content with our portion, since he knows what is best for us, and all we have is more than we deserve.