SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:15
Y Josué les respondió: Si eres pueblo tan grande, sube tú al monte, y corta para ti allí en la tierra del ferezeo y de los gigantes, pues que el monte de Efraín es angosto para ti.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:15
Verse 15. If thou be a great people] Joshua takes them at their own word; they said, ver. 14, that they were a great people; then said he, If thou be a great people or seeing thou art a great people, go to the wood country, and clear away for thyself. Joshua would not reverse the decision of the lot; but as there was much woodland country, he gave them permission to clear away as much of it as they found necessary to extend themselves as far as they pleased.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 15. And Joshua answered them , etc.] By retorting their own argument upon them: if thou [be] a great people ; which he does not deny, as they were for numbers and power: [then] get thee up to the wood [country] ; which was near them, and within their borders, and lay on hills and mountains, perhaps the mountains of Gilboa, and therefore are bid to go up: and cut down for thyself there ; cut down the trees of the wood, clear the ground of them, and so make it habitable, and by that means enlarge the places of their habitation: in the land of the Perizzites, and of the giants ; or Rephaim; the former of these were one of the seven nations of the Canaanites, who from their name seem to have dwelt not in the cities, and walled towns, but in villages, and scattered houses, in desert places, and among the woods, where also the giants had retired and dwelt after Joshua had driven them out of the cities; and by driving these out of their present habitations, they would gain more room to dwell in, and would find their lot sufficient for them: if Mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee ; either meaning all Ephraim, and even the whole lot of the sons of Joseph, or rattler the mount particularly so called; for the words may be rendered, “for Mount Ephraim hastens for thee” f394 ; was clear or open for thee; ready to be delivered to thee, and thou mayest possess it at once.
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
ויאמר 559 אליהם 413 יהושׁע 3091 אם 518 עם 5971 רב 7227 אתה 859 עלה 5927 לך היערה 3293 ובראת 1254 לך שׁם 8033 בארץ 776 הפרזי 6522 והרפאים 7497 כי 3588 אץ 213 לך הר 2022 אפרים׃ 669
