King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:15 Mean?

Joshua 17:15 in the King James Version says “And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself ther...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joshua 17:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

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:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's response brilliantly exposes the Joseph tribes' complaint as hollow excuse-making. The conditional clause 'If thou be a great people' (im-am rav attah, אִם־עַם רָב אַתָּה) uses their own self-assessment against them—if truly great, prove it through action. The command 'get thee up to the wood country' (aleh lekha hayaarah, עֲלֵה לְךָ הַיַּעֲרָה) demands initiative and labor. The phrase 'cut down for thyself there' (uvereta lekha sham, וּבֵרֵאתָ לְךָ שָׁם) requires forest clearing for agricultural development—hard, dangerous work. The reference to 'the land of the Perizzites and of the giants' (rephaim, רְפָאִים) indicates enemy-occupied territory requiring conquest, not merely vacant land awaiting occupation. Joshua's challenge cuts through their excuses: they want more land but won't fight for it. The concluding phrase 'if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee' throws their complaint back—if their current territory is insufficient, expand it through faith and effort rather than demanding more through complaint. This teaches that God's blessings often require human cooperation—He gives seed and soil, but we must plant and cultivate. Joshua's wisdom demonstrates godly leadership that refuses to coddle complainers while pointing them toward faithful action.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Forest clearing was backbreaking, dangerous work requiring axes, saws, and fire. Ancient Israelites lacked modern machinery, making deforestation slow and labor-intensive. Yet the central highlands contained extensive forests that could be cleared for agriculture through sustained effort. The mention of Perizzites and Rephaim (giants) indicates these forests weren't vacant but held hostile populations. The Rephaim were giant peoples like the Anakim, requiring military conquest not merely agricultural development. Archaeological surveys show gradual highland settlement during the Iron Age I period (roughly Joshua's era), consistent with Joshua's command for incremental land development. The forested highlands, though requiring more work than the coastal plains or valleys, provided strategic defensive advantages and sufficient resources for growing populations. Joseph's tribes wanted easy, already-developed land rather than investing effort in their assigned territory. Their unwillingness parallels Israel's later preference for foreign alliances and political schemes over trusting God's provision and working faithfully. This incident demonstrates that divine blessing doesn't eliminate human responsibility but establishes the context for faithful stewardship and effort.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'forest' is God calling you to clear rather than complaining about inadequate provision?
  2. How does Joshua's response challenge the prosperity gospel mindset that expects blessing without corresponding labor and sacrifice?
  3. In what areas are you making excuses or complaining rather than taking courageous action to develop what God has already given?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 21

“answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ3 of 21

“And Joshua”

H3091

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

אִם4 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

עַם5 of 21

“people”

H5971

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

רַ֤ב6 of 21

“them If thou be a great”

H7227

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

אַתָּה֙7 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֲלֵ֣ה8 of 21

“then get thee up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לְךָ֣9 of 21
H0
הַיַּ֔עְרָה10 of 21

“to the wood”

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

וּבֵֽרֵאתָ֤11 of 21

“country and cut down”

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

לְךָ֙12 of 21
H0
שָׁ֔ם13 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ14 of 21

“for thyself there in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַפְּרִזִּ֖י15 of 21

“of the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

וְהָֽרְפָאִ֑ים16 of 21

“and of the giants”

H7497

a giant

כִּי17 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָ֥ץ18 of 21

“be too narrow”

H213

to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw

לְךָ֖19 of 21
H0
הַר20 of 21

“if mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶפְרָֽיִם׃21 of 21

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

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 17:15 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 17:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 13:7Genesis 14:52 Samuel 5:18Luke 12:482 Samuel 5:22Genesis 15:20

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