SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:16
Y los hijos de José dijeron: No nos bastará a nosotros este monte; y todos los cananeos que habitan la tierra de la campiña, tienen carros herrados; los que están en Bet-seán y en sus aldeas, y los que están en el valle de Jezreel.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:16
Verse 16. The hill is not enough for us] The mountain of Gilboa being that which had fallen to them by lot. Chariots of iron] We cannot possess the plain country, because that is occupied by the Canaanites; and we cannot conquer them, because they have chariots of iron, that is, very strong chariots, and armed with scythes, as is generally supposed.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. And the children of Joseph said, the hill is not enough for us , etc.] Meaning either Mount Ephraim, and all included in it; or it may be rather the wood country on the hills and mountains they were bid to go up to; signifying, that if they could gain that out of the hands of the Perizzites and giants, and clear it of the wood, and make it habitable, even that would not be sufficient for them; or that hill and mountain cannot be “found by us” or obtained and possessed by us; we are not able to get it into our hands; there being a valley between us and that: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron ; not chariots made of iron, but chariots with iron scythes fastened to the sides, or axle trees of them, which when driven with great force and fury, would cut down the infantry in battle, as grass is cut down with scythes, (see Judges 4:2,3); [both they] who [are] of Bethshean and her towns, and [they] who [are] of the valley of Jezreel ; both which belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, or were on the borders of it, though as yet they had not got possession, (see Joshua 17:11); and this circumstance seems to favour the notion, that tribe of Manasseh were at least chiefly concerned in this address.
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
ויאמרו 559 בני 1121 יוסף 3130 לא 3808 ימצא 4672 לנו ההר 2022 ורכב 7393 ברזל 1270 בכל 3605 הכנעני 3669 הישׁב 3427 בארץ 776 העמק 6010 לאשׁר 834 בבית שׁאן 1052 ובנותיה 1323 ולאשׁר 834 בעמק 6010 יזרעאל׃ 3157
