Joshua 14:4

“For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim, etc.] For the birthright being forfeited by Reuben, was given to Joseph, who had the double portion, the privilege of the firstborn; by which means the number of the twelve tribes was kept up in the division of the land, though that of Levi had no share in it; and which is also a reason why they had none, that Joseph’s two sons might be reckoned two tribes: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land; to make way for the sons of Joseph to have the double portion: save cities to dwell [in]; and that only, for they might not sell them, as other Israelites could theirs: with their suburbs, for their cattle, and for…”

“The children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim--As two and a half tribes were settled on the east Jordan, and the Levites had no inheritance assigned them in land, there would have been only eight and a half tribes to provide for. But Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, had been constituted two tribes (Gen 48:5), and although Levi was excluded, the original number of the tribes of Israel was still preserved.”

“Were two tribes - That is, had the portion of two tribes, and therefore though Levi was excluded, there remained nine tribes and a half, to be provided for in Canaan. Joshua 14:5”

“14:4 Joseph, the elder son of Jacob’s favorite wife Rachel, received a double portion of land through his sons Manasseh and Ephraim (see study note on Gen 48:5-7). Because the Levites did not receive a separate tribal territory (Josh 13:14), the total number of tribes with land remained at twelve.”

“the children: Gen 48:5; Ch1 5:1, Ch1 5:2 save cities: Josh. 21:2-42; Num 35:2-8; 1Chr. 6:54-81 Joshua 14:6”