Joshua Chapter 17

In Joshua 17, the descendants of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, approach Joshua to request more land, as their allotted portion in Canaan seems insufficient. Joshua advises them to clear the forested areas and expand their borders into the territory of the Canaanites and Perizzites, as they possess chariots and are formidable opponents. The children of Manasseh, however, express concerns about the strength of the Canaanites and doubt their ability to drive them out.

Joshua then proposes an alternative solution, suggesting that they possess the hill country, which is heavily wooded, but they would need to displace the Canaanites living in the valley, who possess iron chariots. The descendants of Joseph reply by pointing out that the Canaanites in the valley have superior weaponry, making it difficult to defeat them.

Despite their reservations, Joshua insists that they are a powerful and numerous people and encourages them to prevail against the Canaanites, assuring them that with God’s help, they will be victorious. The descendants of Manasseh continue to express their concerns and request more land, to which Joshua grants them additional territories.

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