Joshua 16 · a question people ask
Manasseh was Joseph's firstborn. Why does Ephraim's border come first?
The chapter doesn't say. It names the brothers "Manasseh and Ephraim" (16:4), gives Ephraim's border first (16:5-9), and leaves Manasseh for the next chapter, which says Manasseh "was the firstborn of Joseph" (17:1). The order had turned before. When Jacob blessed the two boys, Joseph said, "Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn" (Genesis 48:18), and Jacob answered, "his younger brother will be greater than he" (Genesis 48:19), and "set Ephraim before Manasseh" (Genesis 48:20). Moses' blessing names them in that order too: "They are the ten thousands of Ephraim. They are the thousands of Manasseh" (Deuteronomy 33:17). Some lists keep the birth order: "The sons of Joseph after their families: Manasseh and Ephraim" (Numbers 26:28). Joshua 16 doesn't link its order to Jacob's blessing, so the text leaves the question there.
The verses
“The children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. This was the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families. The border of their inheritance eastward was Ataroth Addar, to Beth Horon the upper.”
“This was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.”
“Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” His father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. However, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a multitude of nations.” He blessed them that day, saying, “Israel will bless in your name, saying, ‘God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh’” He set Ephraim before Manasseh.”
“Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd. His horns are the horns of the wild ox. With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim. They are the thousands of Manasseh.””