Joshua 17:17

KJV

And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, [even] to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou [art] a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot [only]:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} spake {H559} unto the house {H1004} of Joseph {H3130}, even to Ephraim {H669} and to Manasseh {H4519}, saying {H559}, Thou art a great {H7227} people {H5971}, and hast great {H1419} power {H3581}: thou shalt not have one {H259} lot {H1486} only:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Y'hoshua said to the house of Yosef, to both Efrayim and M'nasheh, "You are a great people with much power; you will not have only one lot,

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment,

American Standard Version

And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power; thou shalt not have one lot only:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 17:17 captures a pivotal moment in the distribution of the Promised Land, where Joshua confronts the complaint of the powerful House of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). Recognizing their substantial numerical strength and inherent capability, Joshua affirms their "greatness" and "power" but simultaneously challenges their expectation of an easy inheritance. He implies that their divinely bestowed strength necessitates active effort and perseverance to fully possess the land God had promised them, rather than passively accepting perceived limitations or fearing the remaining inhabitants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the complaint lodged by the House of Joseph in [Joshua 17:14](/joshua/17-14 "Joshua 17:14 - The Complaint of the House of Joseph"). Ephraim and Manasseh argue that their allotted territory is insufficient for their large population and express intimidation by the Canaanites in the valley, who possess formidable iron chariots. Joshua's response in [Joshua 17:17](/joshua/17-17 "Joshua 17:17 - Joshua's Challenge to the House of Joseph") directly addresses their grievance, serving as a pivotal moment before he provides practical instruction in [Joshua 17:18](/joshua/17-18 "Joshua 17:18 - Joshua's Command to Clear the Land"). This exchange highlights the ongoing tension throughout the conquest narrative between God's sovereign promise of the land and the Israelites' human responsibility to actively participate in its full possession.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in [Joshua 13-19](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-19 - The Division of the Land") represents a crucial phase after the initial military campaigns had subdued major Canaanite strongholds. Despite these victories, pockets of resistance persisted, particularly in the fertile lowlands where Canaanite city-states leveraged advanced military technology, such as "chariots of iron," which were formidable weapons of war in that era. The House of Joseph, comprising the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, was indeed one of the largest and most influential tribal groups, having been allotted a significant and strategically central territory. Their complaint reflects a common human tendency to seek comfort and avoid difficult tasks, even when divinely empowered, and highlights the cultural expectation that a strong tribe should be able to secure its inheritance.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua's interaction with the House of Joseph underscores several profound themes central to the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. First, it powerfully illustrates the synergy between **divine promise and human responsibility**. While God had unequivocally promised the land to Israel, its full possession demanded the Israelites' active participation, unwavering faith, and diligent obedience, a principle consistently emphasized throughout [the book of Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua - Conquest and Inheritance"). Second, the passage highlights the theme of **overcoming obstacles through God-given strength**. Joshua does not dismiss their numerical superiority or inherent power but rather redirects it, challenging them to utilize their "great power" to conquer the remaining inhabitants and clear the land, rather than succumbing to fear or perceived limitations. This resonates with the broader biblical principle that God equips His people for the tasks He sets before them, as exemplified in [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be Strong and Courageous"). Finally, it demonstrates **wise and empowering leadership**, as Joshua affirms their strength while simultaneously calling them to greater effort and responsibility in fulfilling God's will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great (Hebrew, _rab'_):** (H7227) This word signifies abundance, multitude, or greatness in quantity, size, or number. When Joshua declares, "Thou art a **great** people," he is acknowledging the significant population size and numerical strength of the House of Joseph. This affirmation is not mere flattery but a factual recognition of their substantial tribal numbers, which should logically translate into greater capability for conquest and expansion.
* **Power (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** (H3581) This term denotes vigor, strength, ability, or might, encompassing both physical and military capacity. Joshua's statement that they "hast great **power**" directly addresses their complaint about the Canaanites' iron chariots. He reminds them that they possess the necessary strength, divinely endowed, to overcome such formidable adversaries. It is a direct challenge to activate their inherent potential and utilize their God-given might.
* **Lot (Hebrew, _gôwrâl'_):** (H1486) This word refers to a pebble used for casting lots, and by extension, the portion or destiny determined by such a lot. In this context, it signifies the portion of land allotted to them by divine selection, as described in [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Division by Lot"). The House of Joseph's complaint of having "one lot only" implies they felt their single, albeit large, portion was insufficient. Joshua's response challenges this perception, indicating that their "lot" was not a fixed boundary of limitation but a starting point for expansion through their own effort and conquest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, [even] to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the direct and authoritative address from Joshua, the divinely appointed leader of Israel, to the specific tribal confederation that had voiced a significant complaint. It underscores the importance of the tribes involved, as Ephraim and Manasseh were two of the most prominent, numerous, and influential tribes descended from Joseph.
* **"Thou [art] a great people, and hast great power:"**: This is Joshua's strategic affirmation. He validates their self-perception, acknowledging their numerical strength and inherent capability. This crucial acknowledgment serves to disarm their complaint by agreeing with their premise, yet it immediately pivots to challenge their conclusion. It reminds them of the divine blessing and inherent capacity they already possess, setting the stage for his subsequent command.
* **"thou shalt not have one lot [only]:"**: This concluding statement directly refutes their complaint that their single allotment was insufficient. Joshua is not denying they received one lot, but rather asserting that their "greatness" and "power" mean they are not confined to the *current*, un-cleared boundaries of that lot. Instead, they are fully capable of expanding their territory within their inheritance by clearing the land and driving out the remaining inhabitants, thereby possessing more than just a "single" (limited or unfulfilled) portion.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua's statement employs several potent literary techniques. Most prominent is the rhetorical strategy of **Affirmation** followed by a **Challenge**. He begins by affirming their self-assessment ("Thou art a great people, and hast great power"), which serves to validate their status and perhaps disarm their defensive posture. This affirmation, however, is immediately followed by a **Direct Address** and a **Challenge** ("thou shalt not have one lot only"), which reinterprets their perceived limitation as an opportunity for exertion and responsibility. There is an element of **Irony** in Joshua's response; the very strength and numbers they cite as a reason for needing *more* land or a *different* inheritance is turned back on them as the precise reason they should *take* more land through their own effort. This masterful rhetorical strategy effectively shifts responsibility from Joshua, the leader, to the complaining tribes themselves, empowering them while simultaneously demanding their active participation in the divine plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 17:17 profoundly illustrates the enduring biblical principle that divine promises often require human effort, courage, and faith for their full realization. God had indeed promised the entire land of Canaan to Israel as an inheritance, but the actual, full possession of it was contingent upon their obedience, courage, and active engagement in driving out the inhabitants. Joshua's words to the House of Joseph serve as a powerful reminder that God equips His people with the necessary strength and resources; therefore, perceived limitations or formidable obstacles should not lead to complacency, fear, or complaint, but rather to diligent application of that God-given power. This dynamic interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, emphasizing that our inheritance, whether physical or spiritual, is not merely a passive gift but often demands active pursuit and perseverance in faith.

* [Joshua 17:18](/joshua/17-18 "Joshua 17:18 - Joshua's Command to Clear the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Drive Out Inhabitants")
* [Judges 1:19](/judges/1-19 "Judges 1:19 - Judah's Inability to Drive Out Chariots of Iron")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua's response to the House of Joseph offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. We often stand at the threshold of God's promises, equipped with spiritual gifts, talents, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, yet we can be tempted to complain about perceived limitations or daunting "iron chariots" in our lives—whether they be spiritual battles, personal challenges, or ministry obstacles. This verse powerfully reminds us that our "great power" comes from God, and it is given not for passive enjoyment or comfortable inaction but for active engagement in His purposes. Our spiritual inheritance, personal growth, and the fulfillment of our calling often require us to step out in faith, courageously clear the "forests" of our lives (habits, fears, complacency), and confront the "Canaanites" (sin, spiritual opposition, worldly distractions) that hinder our full possession of God's promises. It is a compelling call to move beyond complaint and embrace the responsibility that comes with divine empowerment, actively working to expand the kingdom of God in our spheres of influence and to live fully into the abundant life Christ offers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "iron chariots" or perceived limitations are currently preventing me from fully possessing God's promises or fulfilling my calling in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life am I complaining about "one lot only" instead of actively utilizing the "great power" God has given me through the Holy Spirit?**
* **How can I better align my efforts and actions with the divine strength and resources I have been given to overcome obstacles and advance God's kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why did the House of Joseph complain despite being a "great people"?**

Answer: The House of Joseph, comprising Ephraim and Manasseh, was indeed numerically superior and powerful, having received a significant portion of the land. However, their complaint in [Joshua 17:14](/joshua/17-14 "Joshua 17:14 - Complaint of the House of Joseph") stemmed from a desire for an easier inheritance and a reluctance to engage in the difficult work of fully dispossessing the remaining Canaanites. They perceived their allotted territory as insufficient due to their large numbers and were particularly intimidated by the Canaanites in the fertile valleys who possessed "chariots of iron," which represented advanced military technology. Their complaint reveals a common human tendency to prefer comfort and avoid arduous tasks, even when equipped with the means to overcome challenges. Joshua's response directly addresses this by reminding them of their inherent strength and challenging them to use it to secure their full inheritance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua's declaration to the House of Joseph, affirming their "greatness" and "power" while challenging them to overcome perceived limitations, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Christ and the believer's inheritance in Him. Just as the tribes were given an earthly inheritance to possess through effort and faith, believers in Christ have received an infinitely greater spiritual inheritance, secured by Christ's finished work on the cross ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). We are called a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race")), truly a "great people" in God's eyes, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit")). Our "great power" is not merely human strength but the divine enablement to overcome spiritual "iron chariots"—sin, temptation, the forces of darkness, and the world's opposition ([Ephesians 6:10-12](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-12 - The Armor of God")). We are not to be content with a "single lot" of spiritual complacency or limited vision, but to actively "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" ([2 Corinthians 10:5](/2-corinthians/10-5 "2 Corinthians 10:5 - Taking Thoughts Captive")) and to "make every effort to add to your faith goodness" ([2 Peter 1:5-8](/2-peter/1-5 "2 Peter 1:5-8 - Growth in Faith")). Christ has already secured the decisive victory over sin and death, and through Him, we are more than conquerors, called to actively live out and expand the reality of His kingdom in a world still marked by spiritual resistance, trusting in the power of the One who has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ Has Overcome the World")).

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.