Joshua 17:15
New International Version
“If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”

New Living Translation
Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live.”

English Standard Version
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”

New American Standard Bible
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

NASB 1995
Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

NASB 1977
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

Amplified Bible
Then Joshua replied, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear ground for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

Christian Standard Bible
“If you have so many people,” Joshua replied to them, “go to the forest and clear an area for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, because Ephraim’s hill country is too small for you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you have so many people,” Joshua replied to them, “go to the forest and clear an area for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, because Ephraim’s hill country is too small for you.”

American Standard Version
And Joshua said unto them, If thou be a great people, get thee up to the forest, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim; since the hill-country of Ephraim is too narrow for thee.

Contemporary English Version
Joshua replied, "If there's not enough room for you in the hill country of Ephraim, then go into the forest that belonged to the Perizzites and the Rephaim. Clear out the trees and make more room for yourselves there."

English Revised Version
And Joshua said unto them, If thou be a great people, get thee up to the forest, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim; since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joshua replied, "If there are so many of you, go into the forest! Clear ground for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaim if the mountains of Ephraim are too confining for you."

Good News Translation
Joshua answered, "If there are so many of you and the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, then go into the forests and clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim."

International Standard Version
So Joshua replied to them, "Since you're so numerous, go up to the forest and clear ground there for yourselves in the territory where the Perizzites and Rephaim are, because the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you."

Majority Standard Bible
Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.”

NET Bible
Joshua replied to them, "Since you have so many people, go up into the forest and clear out a place to live in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites, for the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you."

New Heart English Bible
Joshua said to them, "If you are a great people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim; since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Joshua answered them, If thou art a great people, then go up to the wood, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim is too narrow for thee.

World English Bible
Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joshua says to them, “If you [are] a numerous people, go up to the forest for yourself, then you have created [a place] for yourself there in the land of the Perizzite and of the Rephaim, when Mount Ephraim has been narrow for you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Joshua saith unto them, 'If thou art a numerous people, go up for thee to the forest, then thou hast prepared for thee there, in the land of the Perizzite, and of the Rephaim, when mount Ephraim hath been narrow for thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua will say to them, If thou much people go up for thyself to the forest, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzite and of the Rephaims, if mount Ephraim was narrow to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Josue said to them: If thou be a great people, go up into the woodland, and cut down room for thyself in the land of the Pherezite and the Raphaims: because the possession of mount Ephraim is too narrow for thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up into the forest, and cut out space for yourself in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the possession of mount Ephraim is too narrow for you.”

New American Bible
Joshua answered them, “If you are too many, go up to the forest and clear out a place for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaim, since the mountain regions of Ephraim are so narrow.”

New Revised Standard Version
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear ground there for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Joshua said to them, If you are a numerous people, then go up on the side of the mountain, and choose for yourselves a portion in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim is too narrow for you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Yeshua Said to them: “If you are many people, go up yourselves to the side of the mountain and choose for yourselves there in the land of the Parizites and of the giants, because the Mountain of Aphreim is narrow for you”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Joshua said unto them: 'If thou be a great people, get thee up to the forest, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim; since the hill-country of Ephraim is too narrow for thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joshua said to them, If thou be a great people, go up to the forest, and clear the land for thyself, If mount Ephraim be too little for thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Manasseh's Inheritance
14Then 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.” 15Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.” 16“The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.”…

Cross References
Numbers 32:1-5
Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. / So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, ...

Deuteronomy 3:12-17
So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. / To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The entire region of Argob, the whole territory of Bashan, used to be called the land of the Rephaim.) / Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. ...

Joshua 13:29-31
This is what Moses had given to the clans of the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the tribe of the descendants of Manasseh: / The territory from Mahanaim through all Bashan—all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, including all the towns of Jair that are in Bashan, sixty cities; / half of Gilead; and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan. All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, that is, half of the descendants of Machir.

Judges 1:27-28
At that time Manasseh failed to drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shean, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and their villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land. / When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely.

1 Chronicles 5:23-26
Now the people of the half-tribe of Manasseh were numerous. They settled in the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon (that is, Senir, also known as Mount Hermon). / These were the heads of their families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men, and heads of their families. / But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and they prostituted themselves with the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. ...

Genesis 48:17-19
When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. / “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” / But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”

Deuteronomy 1:12-15
But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself? / Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.” / And you answered me and said, “What you propose to do is good.” ...

1 Kings 4:7-19
Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year, / and these were their names: Ben-hur in the hill country of Ephraim; / Ben-deker in Makaz, in Shaalbim, in Beth-shemesh, and in Elon-beth-hanan; ...

2 Kings 17:6
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

2 Chronicles 30:1-11
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...

Acts 7:14-16
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died. / Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Mark 10:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel / will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

If thou be

Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

the Perizzites

Genesis 13:7
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

Exodus 33:2
And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

Ezra 9:1
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

giants.

Genesis 14:5
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

Genesis 15:20
And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,

2 Samuel 5:18,22
The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim…

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Clear Clearing Country Cut Enough Ephraim Hill Hill-Country Joshua Mount Narrow Perizzites Per'izzites Rephaim Reph'aim Rephaites Small Thyself Wide Wood Woodlands Yourselves
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Clear Clearing Country Cut Enough Ephraim Hill Hill-Country Joshua Mount Narrow Perizzites Per'izzites Rephaim Reph'aim Rephaites Small Thyself Wide Wood Woodlands Yourselves
Joshua 17
1. The lot of Manasseh
7. His coast
12. The Canaanites not driven out
14. The children of Joseph obtain another lot














If you have so many people
This phrase begins with Joshua addressing the tribe of Joseph, which includes the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The context here is a response to their complaint about the insufficiency of their allotted land. The Hebrew word for "people" is "am," which often refers to a group bound by common ancestry or covenant. Historically, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were indeed numerous and powerful, reflecting the fulfillment of Jacob's blessing in Genesis 48:19. This phrase challenges them to consider their own strength and resources.

Joshua replied
Joshua, the leader of Israel after Moses, is speaking. His role as a leader is not just to distribute land but to encourage the tribes to take initiative. The Hebrew root of "replied" is "anah," which can mean to answer or respond, often with authority or insight. Joshua's response is not just a simple answer but a directive that carries the weight of his leadership and God's authority.

go up into the forest
The directive to "go up" suggests action and initiative. The Hebrew word "alah" means to ascend or climb, often used in the context of moving towards something greater or more challenging. The "forest" refers to the wooded hill country of Ephraim, which was part of their inheritance but required effort to clear and settle. This reflects a spiritual principle of taking possession of God's promises through faith and effort.

and clear land for yourselves
The phrase "clear land" involves the Hebrew word "bara," which means to create or make something new. This is a call to transform the potential of the land into a productive inheritance. Spiritually, it suggests the work of sanctification, where believers are called to actively participate in God's promises by removing obstacles and cultivating their spiritual lives.

there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaim
The Perizzites and Rephaim were inhabitants of Canaan, representing the challenges and opposition the Israelites faced. The Perizzites were known as rural dwellers, while the Rephaim were considered giants, symbolizing formidable obstacles. Historically, this reflects the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to fully possess the land God promised them, a theme that resonates with the Christian journey of overcoming spiritual battles.

since the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you
The "hill country of Ephraim" refers to the central mountainous region of Canaan, which was part of the inheritance of the tribe of Joseph. The phrase "too small" highlights the tension between God's promise and the current reality. The Hebrew word "tsar" can mean narrow or restricted, suggesting that God's people are called to expand and grow beyond their current limitations. This is an encouragement to trust in God's provision and to step out in faith to claim the fullness of His promises.

Verse 15. - If thou be a great people. As though Joshua would say, "You are ready enough to boast, but unwilling to act. If your tribe be as large as you say it is, it is capable of taking care of itself. There is the vast forest of Central Palestine before you. Do not complain to me, but go and take possession of it." Get thee up into the wood country. The word "country" is not in the original, which is, strictly speaking, in the direction of the wood. Whether this be the "wood of Ephraim" mentioned in 2 Samuel 18:6 has been much disputed. For not only David is related to have crossed the Jordan, but Absalom also, in hot pursuit of his father (see 2 Samuel 17:22, 24). Neither army is mentioned as having recrossed the river; and it is a question whether it is more probable that there happened to be a "wood of Ephraim" on the other side of Jordan, or that Joab and Absalom, with their respective armies, recrossed Jordan without a word being said of the fact by the historian; the more especially as David (see 2 Samuel 19:15-17, 31) remained on the other side Jordan, while yet it was possible for the Ethiopian attendant, as well as Jonathan, to run to him with tidings of the defeat and death of Absalom. For the wood country in this neighbourhood cf. Psalm 132:6. Ewald would regard the language here as figurative, and the wood as referring to the powerful Phoenician tribes in the neighbourhood. He regards this answer as a sign of Joshua's "wit." But the interpretation seems far fetched and improbable. Cut down. Or, make a clearing, just as emigrants do now in the primeval forest. This wood, or forest, has now disappeared, though sufficient wood still remains to testify to the correctness of, the history. Perizzites and of the giants. The Rephaim (see notes on Joshua 3:10; 12:4). If Mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. This fastness in the heart of the land, the refuge of Ehud, the dwelling place of Deborah, the early home of Samuel, was well adapted to purposes of secrecy and defence, but not so well suited for a place of habitation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

answered
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you
אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have so many
רַ֤ב (raḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the hill country
הַר־ (har-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

of Ephraim
אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ (’ep̄·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

is too small
אָ֥ץ (’āṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 213: To press, to be close, hurry, withdraw

for you,
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

go
עֲלֵ֣ה (‘ă·lêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to
לְךָ֣ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the forest
הַיַּ֔עְרָה (hay·ya‘·rāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3293: A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb

and clear
וּבֵרֵאתָ֤ (ū·ḇê·rê·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1254: To create, to cut down, select, feed

for yourself
לְךָ֙ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

an area
שָׁ֔ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

in the land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of the Perizzites
הַפְּרִזִּ֖י (hap·pə·riz·zî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6522: Perizzite -- a people in the land of Canaan

and the Rephaim.”
וְהָֽרְפָאִ֑ים (wə·hā·rə·p̄ā·’îm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 7497: Rephaim -- inhabitants of an area East of the Jordan


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OT History: Joshua 17:15 Joshua said to them If you (Josh. Jos)
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