Ver. 17, 18. And Joshua spake, &c.— Joshua replies to the solicitations of the children of Joseph, by repeating, that it is not his intention that they should have but one lot, as if they were but one single tribe: nor that they should dwell pent up in a portion too much confined; but that he chose they should make use of their arms, for extending their habitations, and possessing more than the lot which had fallen to them. "Use your strength," he means to tell them; "shew a courage suited to your numbers: go, master the mountains which confine you; cut down the woods, make ye openings for going still further into all the adjacent valleys; and remember, that so long as you make not yourselves unworthy of the Divine assistance, neither the Canaanites, nor their formidable chariots, ought in the least to intimidate you: if God be for you, all shall bend before you." Thus, equally firm, just, and impartial, Joshua sends back the children of Joseph, uninfluenced by their objections, and unshaken by their complaints. The mountain here mentioned was, in all probability, mount Gilboa, which stood north of Manasseh, and reached from the country about Kishon, as far as to Beth-shean. See Calmet.
Related Commentaries of Joshua 17:17
Joshua 17:17-18
17 And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:
18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.