Ver. 1. And the lot of the children of Joseph.] See Joshua 15:1. From Jordan by Jericho.] On the north of Canaan, as Judah’s had fallen on the south: that these two strongest tribes might be as bulwarks to both sides of the kingdom. So in their march through the wilderness, in their several companies or brigades, God put a strong tribe to two weak tribes, as Judah to Issachar and Zebulon, &c. See Isaiah 26:1 40:11. Unto the water of Jericho.] Afterwards made no less famous than wholesome by Elisha’s healing of them. (2 Kings 2:21)
Ver. 2. Unto the borders of Archi.] Hushai’s country, (2 Samuel 16:16) ennobled by his name, as Co was to Hippocrates, and little Hippo by great Augustine.
Ver. 3. And to Gezer.] Where the Canaanites held them till Solomon’s days; but were then slain by Pharaoh, king of Egypt, in favour of his daughter, Solomon’s wife. (1 Kings 9:16)
Ver. 4. Manasseh and Ephraim took their inheritance.] And it was a happiness to both that they lay together: but a shameful thing that afterwards it should be said, “Manasseh against Ephraim, and Ephraim against Manasseh; and they together against Judah.” (Isaiah 9:21)
Ver. 5. Was Atarothaddar unto Bethhoron the upper.] As there were two Bethhorons, so Eusebius telleth us that there were two Ataroths: one near Rama; the other, four miles distant from Samaria.
Ver. 6. Toward the sea.] Or, Westward by Michmethah, and then eastward by several towns here mentioned. These are ancient things, and to us hard to be understood.
Ver. 7. And came to Jericho,] i.e., To the territories, but not to the town itself, for that was part of Benjamin’s lot. (Joshua 18:21)
Ver. 8. The border went out from Tappuah.] So called from the plenty of apples that grew there: as Perton in Worcestershire is from the plenty of pears.
Ver. 9. And the separate cities, &c.] Allotted to Ephraim, a numerous tribe, within the portion of Manasseh.
Ver. 10. And they drave not out.] Which is nothing for their commendation; but discovereth either their cowardice or covetousness, or both. But the Canaanites dwell, &c.] [See Trapp on “Jos 16:3”] They would not yield: so that Pharaoh was forced to fire their town. (1 Kings 9:16)