Joshua 17:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 17:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the border went down unto the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out thereof were at the sea:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the border went down unto the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out thereof were at the sea:
Joshua 17:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And the border went down unto the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out thereof were at the sea:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river, etc.] The same mentioned in the account of the coast of Ephraim, (<061608>Joshua 16:8); which was north of that river, as Manasseh was to the south of it: these cities of Ephraim [are] among the cities of Manasseh; that is, the cities before mentioned, Asher, Michmethah, Entappuah, and Tappuah; though they were in the tribe of Manasseh, yet they were inhabited by the Ephraimites: the coast of Manasseh also [was] on the north side of the river; of the river Kanah, as well as on the south of it; it had cities there, though possessed by the tribe of Ephraim: and the outgoings of it were at the sea; the Mediterranean sea.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river--The line which separated the possessions of the two brothers from each other ran to the south of the stream. Thus the river was in the territory of Manasseh; but the cities which were upon the river, though all were within the limits of Manasseh's possessions, were assigned partly to Ephraim, and partly to Manasseh; those on the south side being given to the former; those upon the north to the latter [KEIL]. It appears (Jos 17:10) that Manasseh was still further interlaced with other neighboring tribes.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These cities ... - The text is possibly corrupt. The intention seems to be to state that the cities lying south of the river, though within the limits of Manasseh, were in fact made over to Ephraim, and were among the “separate cities” Joshua 16:9. On the contrary, the north bank of the river, both land and towns, belonged to Manasseh exclusively. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Three cities - Tappuah, and the cities upon the coast descending to the river, &c. last mentioned. Among the cities of Manasseh - That is, are intermixed with their cities, which was not strange nor unfit, these two being linked together by a nearer alliance than the rest. Joshua 17:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“river Kanah: or, brook of reeds, The brook Kanah seem to be what is now called Nahr el Kasab, which falls into the Mediterranean a few miles south of Cesarea of Palestine, mentioned by the Hon. C. L. Irby, and J. Mangles. Jos 16:8 these cities: Jos 16:9 the outgoings: Jos 16:3, Jos 16:8, Jos 19:29 the sea: The Mediterranean Joshua 17:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification