SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:14
¶ Y los hijos de José hablaron a Josué, diciendo: ¿Por qué me has dado por heredad una sola suerte y una sola parte, siendo yo un pueblo tan grande y que el SEÑOR me ha así bendecido hasta ahora?
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua , etc.] Which some understand of the children of Manasseh only; and, indeed, the complaint and arguments used, as well as some circumstances in the account, best agree with them; yet certain it is, that the children of Ephraim accompanied the children of Manasseh, and were present at this interview, as appears from ( Joshua 17:17); and if they did not join with them in the request and complaint expressly, they countenanced and encouraged the same by their presence: saying, why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit : this seems to suit better with one than both; for there was a lot for the tribe of Manasseh also, as well as for Ephraim, ( Joshua 17:1); by which it should seem that there were two, and if both made this expostulation, it was not fact; but it may be, that the inheritance which came to them by lot was not as yet divided, and so they called it one lot and one portion, and then it might with propriety be said by them both; and their sense be, that the lot or portion assigned them was only sufficient for one of them, and not for both: seeing I [am] a great people ; as especially both tribes put together were; forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto ? this best agrees with the tribe of Manasseh, which, since their coming out of Egypt, was increased twenty thousand five hundred, whereas the tribe of Ephraim was decreased; compare ( Numbers 1:33,35) with ( Numbers 26:34,37). Now it might have been expected by them, that as Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim, that he would have favoured their cause on that account, and that they should have obtained the grant of an addition by that means; but Joshua was impartial in his administration, and showed no favour and affection on that score, as appears by what follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-18 - Joshua, as a public person, had no more regard to his own tribe than to any other, but would govern without favour or affection; wherein he ha left a good example to all in public trusts. Joshua tells them, tha what was fallen to their share would be a sufficient lot for them, if they would but work and fight. Men excuse themselves from labour by an pretence; and nothing serves the purpose better than having rich an powerful relations, able to provide for them; and they are apt to desire a partial and unfaithful disposal of what is intrusted to thos they think able to give such help. But there is more real kindness in pointing out the advantages within reach, and in encouraging men to make the best of them, than in granting indulgences to sloth an extravagance. True religion gives no countenance to these evils. The rule is, They shall not eat who will not work; and many of ou "cannots" are only the language of idleness, which magnifies ever difficulty and danger. This is especially the case in our spiritual work and warfare. Without Christ we can do nothing, but we are apt to sit still and attempt nothing. if we belong to Him, he will stir us u to our best endeavours, and to cry to him for help. Then our coast wil be enlarged, 1Ch 4:9, 10, and complainings silenced, or rather, turne into joyful thanksgivings __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
וידברו 1696 בני 1121 יוסף 3130 את 854 יהושׁע 3091 לאמר 559 מדוע 4069 נתתה 5414 לי נחלה 5159 גורל 1486 אחד 259 וחבל 2256 אחד 259 ואני 589 עם 5971 רב 7227 עד 5704 אשׁר 834 עד 5704 כה 3541 ברכני 1288 יהוה׃ 3068
