Joshua 17:16
And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Beth-shean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמָּ֥צֵא
is not enough
H4672
יִמָּ֥צֵא
is not enough
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
הָהָ֑ר
The hill
H2022
הָהָ֑ר
The hill
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
7 of 21
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְרֶ֣כֶב
have chariots
H7393
וְרֶ֣כֶב
have chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
8 of 21
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
בַּרְזֶ֗ל
of iron
H1270
בַּרְזֶ֗ל
of iron
Strong's:
H1270
Word #:
9 of 21
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
for us and all the Canaanites
H3669
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙
for us and all the Canaanites
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
11 of 21
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב
that dwell
H3427
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב
that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּעֵ֥מֶק
and they who are of the valley
H6010
בְּעֵ֥מֶק
and they who are of the valley
Strong's:
H6010
Word #:
14 of 21
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁאָן֙
both they who are of Bethshean
H1052
שְׁאָן֙
both they who are of Bethshean
Strong's:
H1052
Word #:
17 of 21
beth-shean or beth-shan, a place in palestine
וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ
and her towns
H1323
וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ
and her towns
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
18 of 21
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְלַֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
וְלַֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
1 Kings 4:12Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:Judges 1:19And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.Judges 4:3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.Joshua 17:18But 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.Judges 6:33Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
Historical Context
Beth-shean guarded the eastern entrance to the Jezreel valley, a crucial military corridor. Archaeological evidence confirms Canaanite iron-working technology gave them military advantage circa 1200 BC. The Josephites' complaint came during the conquest's consolidation phase when faith wavered.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'iron chariots' in your life seem too strong to overcome, and how might fear be masking unbelief?
- How does focusing on obstacles rather than God's promises limit your spiritual inheritance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron—The Josephite tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) complained of insufficient territory, yet their real obstacle was fear. The phrase chariots of iron (רֶכֶב בַּרְזֶל, rekev barzel) represented ancient military superiority—reinforced war chariots that intimidated Israel. Beth-shean and the Jezreel valley were strategic Canaanite strongholds.
This complaint reveals a crisis of faith. God had promised the land, yet they focused on enemy strength rather than divine power. Their excuse—'not enough'—masked unbelief. This parallels believers who see obstacles as insurmountable rather than opportunities for God's strength to be displayed (2 Corinthians 12:9).