Joe: So this is Joshua chapter 16, right?
Bible Expert: Yes, that’s right.
Joe: Alright so what’s it all about?
Bible Expert: Well, in this chapter the Lord sets out the borders of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. He designates the land that each tribe will possess.
Joe: Got it. So they’re getting their own land, huh?
Bible Expert: That’s right.
Joe: So what kind of land are they getting? Is it good land?
Bible Expert: Yes, it’s quite good land. It’s mostly hill country, with some valleys and forests, and it’s very fertile.
Joe: Wow, sounds like a great deal! So what do the tribes do with it?
Bible Expert: They use it to settle and farm, and they build towns and cities.
Joe: Alright, so they’re setting up shop. What else is in this chapter?
Bible Expert: Well, the Lord also warns the tribes not to intermingle with the Canaanites, who are living in the land, and tells them to drive them out.
Joe: That’s pretty intense. So what, they just start warring with the Canaanites?
Bible Expert: Not necessarily. They are told to drive them out, but not necessarily by force. It could be through negotiation and peaceful coexistence.
Joe: Interesting. So, what else is in this chapter?
Bible Expert: Well, the chapter ends with a brief description of the cities the tribes are occupying and the land they are possessing.