King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:14 Mean?

Joshua 17:14 in the King James Version says “And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, see... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

Joshua 17:14 · KJV


Context

12

Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

13

Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.

14

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?

15

And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. giants: or, Rephaims

16

And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) complain about their territorial allocation, revealing entitlement and presumption. The phrase 'why hast thou given me but one lot' uses the singular despite two tribes, perhaps indicating unified complaint or Ephraim's dominance. Their self-assessment 'I am a great people' (am-rav anoki, עַם־רָב אָנֹכִי) expresses prideful self-importance. The claim 'forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto' (ad-asher ad-ko berachani Yahweh) correctly attributes growth to divine blessing yet wrongly assumes blessing entitles them to more territory without effort. This complaint contrasts sharply with Caleb's faith—he requested difficult territory and conquered it (14:12), while Joseph's descendants want more land without additional conquest. The complaint reveals several spiritual failures: ingratitude for God's provision, unwillingness to work for what they receive, and presumption that blessing removes the need for faith and effort. Reformed theology recognizes this pattern: God's gracious blessings should produce humble gratitude and diligent stewardship, not entitlement and complaint. Their attitude foreshadows Ephraim's later tribal pride and rebellion contributing to the northern kingdom's formation and eventual judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ephraim and Manasseh, sons of Joseph, became separate tribes after Jacob adopted them (Genesis 48), making Joseph's descendants a double portion fulfilling firstborn rights transferred from Reuben. By Joshua's time, these tribes were numerous and powerful, fulfilling Jacob's prophecy (Genesis 48:19) that Manasseh would be great but Ephraim greater. Their territory in the central highlands included fertile valleys and strategic locations, yet also required clearing forests and fighting remaining Canaanites. The complaint about land allocation occurred during the distribution at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1), after initial territories were assigned to Judah, Ephraim, and western Manasseh. Archaeological evidence suggests the central highlands required significant agricultural development through terracing and forest clearing, explaining why fertile land wasn't immediately usable. Ancient Near Eastern land distribution typically favored powerful clans, but Israel's system balanced population size with geographic realities and divine allotment. The Joseph tribes' complaint demonstrates the tension between human ambition and divine sovereignty in land distribution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Joseph tribes' complaint challenge you to examine areas where you feel entitled to God's blessings without corresponding faithfulness and effort?
  2. What does Joshua's response teach about the balance between trusting God's provision and taking responsible action to develop what He gives?
  3. In what ways do you tend toward Ephraim's prideful entitlement rather than Caleb's humble courage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַֽיְדַבְּרוּ֙1 of 23

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

בְּנֵ֣י2 of 23

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹסֵ֔ף3 of 23

of Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

אֶת4 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ5 of 23

unto Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

לֵאמֹ֑ר6 of 23

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַדּוּעַ֩7 of 23
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

נָתַ֨תָּה8 of 23

Why hast thou given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִּ֜י9 of 23
H0
נַֽחֲלָ֗ה10 of 23

to inherit

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

גּוֹרָ֤ל11 of 23

lot

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

אֶחָ֔ד12 of 23

and one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְחֶ֣בֶל13 of 23

portion

H2256

ruin

אֶחָ֔ד14 of 23

and one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַֽאֲנִ֣י15 of 23
H589

i

עַם16 of 23

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רָ֔ב17 of 23

seeing I am a great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

עַד18 of 23

forasmuch as

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶׁר19 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַד20 of 23

forasmuch as

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כֹּ֖ה21 of 23

me hitherto

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

בֵּֽרְכַ֥נִי22 of 23

hath blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָֽה׃23 of 23

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 17:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 17:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study