Joshua 17 · a question people ask
Was Joseph's complaint fair?
The text doesn't say whether Joshua thought it fair. It gives the complaint (17:14), Joshua's two answers (17:15, 17:17-18) and Joseph's reply between them (17:16). Everyone agrees that Joshua gives them more than one lot, "You shall not have one lot only" (17:17), and that what he gives is land still to be cleared and taken (17:18). Readers hear the tone of the exchange in two main ways.
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
A fair request, granted
Those who hold this view note that the lot came out "for the children of Joseph" as one (16:1), though Jacob had counted Joseph's two sons as his own: "Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine" (Genesis 48:5). They read Joseph's words, "we are a numerous people, because the LORD has blessed us so far" (17:14), as simply true, and Joshua's answer as agreeing: "You are a numerous people, and have great power. You shall not have one lot only" (17:17).
Joshua 16:1 · Genesis 48:5 · Joshua 17:14 · Joshua 17:17
A gentle challenge
Those who hold this view note that Joshua turns their words back on them, "If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest" (17:15), and that their reply is about the chariots: "The hill country is not enough for us. All the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron" (17:16). They set it beside Caleb's request a few chapters earlier, for hill country where "the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities" (14:12), and read Joshua as telling a strong people to use the strength they have: "you shall cut it down" (17:18).
Joshua 17:15-18 · Joshua 14:12