Welcome to our latest blog post, featuring the Book of Joshua, Chapter 17 audio version in the New King James Version (NKJV). In this post, we will delve into the content of this chapter and gain a better understanding of its significance. As a reader, you will have the opportunity to listen to the NKJV audio version and follow along with the text. So sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the power of this ancient biblical scripture.

Introduction

The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land, as commanded by God through Joshua. Chapter 17 of the book describes the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, namely Ephraim and Manasseh. In this article, we will go through the chapter, verse by verse, and highlight its key points.

Joshua 17 – Dividing the Land

Verse 1-4: The Daughters of Zelophehad

The chapter starts off by mentioning the daughters of Zelophehad, who were granted an inheritance among their father’s brothers. This was due to the fact that Zelophehad himself had no sons, and his daughters had approached Moses and Joshua for their rightful share of the inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad are a testament to the fact that women had the right to inherit land in ancient Israel, and that God was just and fair in His treatment of all His people.

Verse 5-6: Ephraim’s Inheritance

The tribe of Ephraim received their inheritance according to their families, with the borders extending from the Jordan River on the east to the sea on the west. The northern boundary was the town of Shechem, while the southern boundary was the village of Tapuah.

Verse 7-10: Manasseh’s Inheritance

The tribe of Manasseh also received their inheritance, with the territory extending from the Jordan River to the town of Jezreel. They also had some cities and towns within the territory of Issachar and Asher. However, despite having a sizeable inheritance, the tribe of Manasseh complained to Joshua and the other tribes that they were not given enough land, and that they deserved more.

Verse 11-13: Joshua’s Solution

Joshua listened to the complaints of the tribe of Manasseh, and offered them a solution. He suggested that they should go into the forest and clear the land themselves, and that they would be compensated with additional territory if they were successful. The tribe of Manasseh agreed to Joshua’s proposal, and did as he instructed.

Verse 14-16: The Controversy Over Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath

The chapter ends with a controversy over two cities, Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. Initially, these cities belonged to the tribe of Dan, but they failed to conquer them. As a result, the cities were taken by the Ephraimites and given to the tribe of Manasseh. However, the tribe of Dan felt that they had a rightful claim to these cities, and the matter was left unresolved.

Conclusion

The Book of Joshua Chapter 17 offers great lessons about justice, fairness, and perseverance. The story of the daughters of Zelophehad teaches us about the importance of gender equality and the just treatment of women, even in ancient times. The division of the land among the tribes of Israel reminds us that every tribe and family had a unique and important role to play in the history of God’s chosen people. Finally, the controversy over Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath shows us that even among God’s people, disputes can arise, and it is important to seek justice and peaceful solutions to them.