Joshua 17:14

KJV

¶ And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me [but] one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I [am] a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Joseph {H3130} spake {H1696} unto Joshua {H3091}, saying {H559}, Why hast thou given {H5414} me but one {H259} lot {H1486} and one {H259} portion {H2256} to inherit {H5159}, seeing I am a great {H7227} people {H5971}, forasmuch as {H5704} the LORD {H3068} hath blessed {H1288} me hitherto {H3541}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the descendants of Yosef spoke to Y'hoshua; they said, "Why have you given me only one lot and only one portion to inherit? After all, I am a great people, since ADONAI has blessed me so."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”

American Standard Version

And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one part for an inheritance, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as hitherto Jehovah hath blessed me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 17:14 captures a pivotal moment in the allocation of the Promised Land, revealing the inherent tension between divine blessing and human discontent. The powerful and numerous tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, collectively known as the "children of Joseph," approach Joshua with a complaint, asserting that their allotted inheritance—a single "lot and portion"—is insufficient for their vast population, despite acknowledging God's abundant blessings upon them. This verse sets the stage for a crucial dialogue concerning the responsibilities that accompany God's provision and the need for diligent effort in possessing one's full inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the division of the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes, following the initial conquests detailed in [Joshua 1-12](/joshua/1 "Joshua 1-12 - Conquest of Canaan"). Specifically, [Joshua 13-19](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-19 - Division of the Land") describes the detailed process of land allocation, often by lot, to each tribe. The complaint of the children of Joseph directly follows the description of their extensive territory in [Joshua 16](/joshua/16 "Joshua 16 - Inheritance of Ephraim") and [Joshua 17:1-13](/joshua/17 "Joshua 17 - Inheritance of Manasseh"). Their grievance in verse 14 prompts Joshua's challenging response in [Joshua 17:15-18](/joshua/17-15 "Joshua 17:15-18 - Joshua's Challenge to Joseph"), where he encourages them to actively clear and possess additional land rather than merely complaining about their initial allocation. This interaction highlights the transition from initial conquest to the ongoing effort required for full possession.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of the land by lot was a divinely sanctioned method, believed to reflect God's sovereign will in distributing the inheritance ([Numbers 26:55-56](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55-56 - Land Divided by Lot")). The "children of Joseph" refer to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were indeed numerically significant, as evidenced by the census data in [Numbers 26:28-37](/numbers/26-28 "Numbers 26:28-37 - Census of Joseph's Descendants"). Joseph's prominence in Egypt and the blessing of Jacob upon his sons ([Genesis 48:1-22](/genesis/48 "Genesis 48 - Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh")) contributed to their sense of importance and expectation. Their complaint reflects a common human tendency to desire an easier path, expecting their large population to automatically grant them a fully cleared and cultivated territory, rather than undertaking the strenuous work of dispossessing the remaining Canaanites and clearing the dense forests within their allotted regions. This period also marks a shift from a unified military campaign to localized tribal responsibilities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Blessing and Human Perception**. The Josephites explicitly acknowledge, "the LORD hath blessed me hitherto," recognizing God as the source of their prosperity and growth, yet immediately follow this with a complaint about perceived insufficiency. This reveals a profound human struggle: acknowledging God's past faithfulness while still feeling a sense of lack or entitlement regarding future provision or effort. Secondly, it introduces the tension between **Entitlement and Effort**. Their grievance subtly suggests a desire for an effortless inheritance, believing their numerical strength should automatically grant them more land without the associated labor of clearing it or fully dispossessing the remaining inhabitants. This sets the stage for [Joshua's subsequent challenge](/joshua/17-15 "Joshua 17:15 - Joshua's Challenge"), which directs them toward diligent effort and faith. Finally, the interaction illuminates the complexities of **Leadership and Grievances**. Joshua, as the divinely appointed leader, is confronted with this tribal complaint. His response, detailed in the following verses, demonstrates wisdom in addressing their concerns while directing them toward faith and action rather than simply granting their request, thereby upholding God's plan for the land's distribution.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **great people (Hebrew, _ʿam rav_):** This phrase emphasizes the numerical strength and perhaps the self-perception of importance held by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The term `rav` (רַב) means "much, many, great, abundant." Their claim of being a "great people" is not merely a statement of fact but an argument for special consideration, implying that their size inherently entitled them to a larger, more easily acquired inheritance. It underscores their confidence in their own strength, which, paradoxically, they were hesitant to fully deploy in clearing their land.
* **lot (Hebrew, _goral_):** The `goral` (גּוֹרָל) refers to the method of land distribution by casting lots, a practice understood to reveal God's sovereign will in ancient Israel ([Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast")). By complaining about their "one lot," the Josephites are implicitly questioning the divine allocation itself, or at least its practical implications for their large population. This term highlights the theological dimension of their complaint, moving beyond mere logistics to a perceived inadequacy in God's provision.
* **portion (Hebrew, _chevel_):** The `chevel` (חֶבֶל) literally means "rope" or "measuring line," and by extension, the "portion" or "allotment" of land measured out by such a line. It signifies a specific, defined inheritance. The complaint about "one portion" suggests a feeling of being constrained or limited by the boundaries assigned to them, despite the vastness of the territory that comprised their "one" inheritance for two tribes. This term underscores the tangible, physical aspect of their grievance regarding the extent of their land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying":** This introduces the direct address and complaint from the combined tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh to Joshua, the leader responsible for the land distribution. It signifies a formal appeal or grievance brought before the highest human authority.
* **"Why hast thou given me [but] one lot and one portion to inherit":** This rhetorical question expresses their dissatisfaction and perceived injustice. They challenge Joshua's decision, implying that the single inheritance given to the two powerful Josephite tribes is insufficient. The use of "one lot and one portion" emphasizes their feeling of being short-changed, despite the fact that their "one" inheritance was actually quite large and centrally located, encompassing two tribal territories.
* **"seeing I [am] a great people":** This clause provides the justification for their complaint. They appeal to their numerical strength and prominence as the reason they deserve a larger or more easily manageable inheritance. This reflects a human tendency to equate size and influence with a right to greater privilege or less effort.
* **"forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?":** This final clause is profoundly ironic. They acknowledge God's blessing as the source of their growth and numerousness, yet immediately use this very blessing as the basis for their complaint. It highlights a common human failing: recognizing divine favor but then using it as leverage for entitlement rather than as a call to greater responsibility and gratitude.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several **literary devices** to convey its message. The primary device is **Dialogue**, presenting a direct confrontation between the Josephites and Joshua, which immediately draws the reader into the tension of the scene. The Josephites' opening statement is a **Rhetorical Question** ("Why hast thou given me [but] one lot and one portion to inherit?"), designed not to elicit information but to express their strong dissatisfaction and challenge the perceived inadequacy of their inheritance. There is a subtle **Irony** in their complaint, as they cite God's blessing ("the LORD hath blessed me hitherto") as the very reason for their perceived lack, revealing a disconnect between acknowledging divine favor and embracing the responsibility that comes with it. Furthermore, the passage contains an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the Josephites' reluctance to exert effort in clearing their land hints at the future struggles of Israel in fully dispossessing the Canaanites, a recurring theme in the book of Judges.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 17:14 serves as a powerful microcosm of the ongoing tension between God's generous provision and humanity's often ungrateful or entitled response. The Josephites, having been abundantly blessed by God with numerical growth, paradoxically use this blessing as a basis for complaint, demanding more without the commensurate effort required to fully possess what they have already received. This highlights a fundamental theological truth: God's blessings often come with responsibilities, and true stewardship involves diligent effort and faith, not passive expectation. Their complaint reveals a desire for an "easy" inheritance, failing to grasp that the promise of the land required active, faith-filled engagement to fully realize its potential. This narrative underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises, even when His people struggle with impatience, entitlement, or a lack of courage to fully step into their inheritance. It reminds us that while God provides, He also calls us to participate actively in His plan, trusting His wisdom even when our circumstances seem challenging.

* [Numbers 33:53](/numbers/33-53 "Numbers 33:53 - Possessing the Land") - "And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it."
* [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Do Not Forget the Lord") - "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
* [Judges 1:27-35](/judges/1-27 "Judges 1:27-35 - Failure to Dispossess") - This passage details the various tribes' failures to fully dispossess the Canaanites, including Manasseh and Ephraim, directly reflecting the reluctance seen in Joshua 17.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The complaint of the children of Joseph resonates deeply with the human condition across all ages. It serves as a potent reminder that even amidst undeniable blessings, our hearts can be prone to discontent, focusing on perceived insufficiencies rather than cultivating gratitude for what God has already provided. This passage challenges us to examine our own attitudes: Do we view God's blessings as entitlements that should lead to an easier life, or as resources and responsibilities that call us to greater faithfulness and effort? Spiritual and material growth often necessitates greater diligence, faith, and courage to fully realize the potential of God's provision. Like the Josephites, we are called to actively engage with the opportunities and challenges God places before us, trusting that He has equipped us for the task, even when it requires clearing "forests" or confronting "Canaanites" in our lives. Instead of complaining about perceived limitations, we are encouraged to lean on God's strength to overcome obstacles, understanding that our inheritance in Christ is vast and requires our active participation to fully experience and steward.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I received significant blessings from God, yet found myself complaining about perceived limitations or unmet desires?**
* **How might God be calling me to exert greater effort or faith to fully possess the "inheritance" (spiritual gifts, opportunities, relationships) He has already given me?**
* **Am I prone to an attitude of entitlement, expecting an easy path, rather than embracing the responsibilities that come with God's blessings?**
* **What "forests" or "Canaanites" (challenges, fears, spiritual strongholds) in my life am I called to actively clear and overcome, rather than simply complaining about their presence?**

### FAQ

**Who were the "children of Joseph" and why were they so numerous?**

Answer: The "children of Joseph" refers collectively to the two powerful tribes descended from Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph himself was a prominent figure in Egypt, and his descendants were blessed by Jacob, who adopted Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons, giving them full tribal status ([Genesis 48:5](/genesis/48-5 "Genesis 48:5 - Jacob Adopts Ephraim and Manasseh")). Their numerical strength is confirmed by the census records in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - Second Census of Israel"), where Ephraim and Manasseh together comprised a very large portion of the Israelite population, making them one of the most significant tribal groups.

**What does "one lot and one portion" mean, given their size?**

Answer: While the Josephites complained about receiving "one lot and one portion," this refers to the single, combined inheritance allocated to the *house* of Joseph, which then encompassed the two distinct tribal territories of Ephraim and Manasseh. Their inheritance was actually quite substantial and strategically located in the fertile central highlands of Canaan ([Joshua 16](/joshua/16 "Joshua 16 - Inheritance of Ephraim") and [Joshua 17](/joshua/17 "Joshua 17 - Inheritance of Manasseh")). Their complaint was not about the *size* of their allocated territory per se, but about the *effort* required to fully possess it. Much of their land was still forested or inhabited by Canaanites, and they desired an already cleared and easily settled inheritance commensurate with their large population, rather than undertaking the strenuous work of expansion and disinheritance.

**How did Joshua respond to their complaint?**

Answer: Joshua did not simply concede to their complaint. Instead, his response, found in [Joshua 17:15-18](/joshua/17-15 "Joshua 17:15-18 - Joshua's Challenge"), challenged them to actively possess their inheritance. He essentially told them, "If you are so numerous and great, then go clear the forests and drive out the Canaanites in your allotted territory!" He affirmed that their strength was a reason for greater effort, not greater entitlement. This response highlights a key principle: God's blessings often come with responsibilities and require active participation to fully realize their potential.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The complaint of the children of Joseph, though rooted in the Old Testament land inheritance, offers profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Their desire for an easier, pre-cleared inheritance, despite God's abundant blessing and promise, points to a deeper spiritual truth. In Christ, believers receive an immeasurably richer inheritance—not a physical land, but eternal life, reconciliation with God, and the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Just as the Josephites were called to actively possess their land, believers are called to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" ([Philippians 2:12](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12 - Work Out Your Salvation")), not to earn it, but to diligently live out the reality of what Christ has already secured. Jesus, the ultimate "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), has already conquered sin and death, clearing the way for our spiritual inheritance. Our "greatness" as a people of God is not in our numbers or earthly power, but in our identity as children of God through adoption in Christ ([Romans 8:15-17](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15-17 - Spirit of Adoption")). The "forests" and "Canaanites" we face are spiritual battles against sin, temptation, and the forces of darkness ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")), which we are empowered to overcome through the strength of Christ who lives in us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). Thus, the Josephites' complaint serves as a reminder that our spiritual blessings in Christ call us to active faith, grateful stewardship, and courageous engagement in the mission He has given us, rather than passive entitlement.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 48:19

And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:22

Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

Numbers 26:34

These [are] the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

Numbers 26:37

These [are] the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These [are] the sons of Joseph after their families.

Deuteronomy 33:13

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD [be] his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock, and his horns [are like] the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they [are] the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they [are] the thousands of Manasseh.

Genesis 49:22

¶ Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall: