Jos 16:9 | MHM | STEP | v. 9 : Some cities that belonged to Ephraim were actually inside Manasseh’s territory ( v. 9 ). This shows that Manasseh had enough land to share, and Ephraim needed more cities. Since both tribes were descendants of Joseph, it was hoped they would live together peacefully as brothers. When Israel was counted in the desert, Manasseh had more people than Ephraim (Numbers 26:34, 37 ). But after they settled in Canaan, Ephraim grew larger, just as Moses had blessed (Deuteronomy 33:17 ). This shows that God controls whether families and nations become bigger or smaller.

‏ Joshua 16:9

v. 9: Some cities that belonged to Ephraim were actually inside Manasseh’s territory (v. 9 ^a). This shows that Manasseh had enough land to share, and Ephraim needed more cities. Since both tribes were descendants of Joseph, it was hoped they would live together peacefully as brothers. When Israel was counted in the desert, Manasseh had more people than Ephraim (Numbers 26:34, 37 ^b). But after they settled in Canaan, Ephraim grew larger, just as Moses had blessed (Deuteronomy 33:17 ^c). This shows that God controls whether families and nations become bigger or smaller.