יהושע, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ה׳

The division of the land among the tribes relies on a precise geographic layout that carefully defines each group's living space. In mapping out the territory for the tribe of Ephraim, the focus rests on the width of their eastern land and their unique historical standing.

The boundaries are established with a subtle repetition in the narrative, reflecting different layers of meaning. One approach suggests this repetition serves to place Ephraim's territory before that of Manasseh. This ordering fulfills the ancient blessing of Jacob, who intentionally elevated the younger Ephraim ahead of his older brother [חומת אנך]. Alternatively, the dual framing might distinguish between different types of landholdings. The initial focus accounts for all lands belonging to Ephraim, including isolated cities tucked within the neighboring territory of Manasseh, while the subsequent focus rests strictly on their primary, unbroken stretch of land [מלבי״ם].

Within these borders, the land was systematically distributed among the various families of the tribe [מצודת דוד]. Looking at the broader region granted to the descendants of Joseph, the space was divided so that Ephraim received the eastern half of the land, leaving the western half for Manasseh [מלבי״ם].

The eastern boundary naturally points toward the east or northeast [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A specific line stretching from Atroth-addar to Upper Beth-horon actually measures the width of the territory from south to north [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. This boundary began at Atroth-addar, located at the northern edge of the tribe of Benjamin, and extended to Upper Beth-horon, which sat firmly within Ephraim's land. The eastern border receives special emphasis because, from this specific point, the territory continued to stretch and expand further westward [מצודת דוד].