יהושע, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ו׳

The tribal borders in the land of Israel do not follow simple, straight lines. Instead, they twist, expand, and form complex enclaves shaped by the natural terrain and existing cities. The northern boundary of the tribe of Ephraim perfectly captures this complexity, shifting directions and wrapping around areas owned by neighboring tribes. Starting from the northern corner near Upper Beth-horon, the boundary extends westward [מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם]. It then runs just north of the city of Michmethath, a town that actually belonged to the neighboring tribe of Manasseh [רש"י, מצודת דוד].

At this point, the boundary makes a distinct turn to bypass certain areas [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The territory expands northward, and the line cuts east, forming a sharp angle [רש"י, מלבי"ם]. It stretches diagonally toward Taanath-shiloh, running along the city's entire length before dropping south to pass east of Janoah [מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם]. Just like Michmethath, the border cities of Taanath-shiloh and Janoah were not included in Ephraim's portion but remained the property of Manasseh [מצודת דוד].

This winding path from west to east reveals a fascinating historical reality regarding the Tabernacle in Shiloh. While a quick glance at the geography might suggest Shiloh sat securely within the broader territory of Joseph, the precise turning of this border shows otherwise. A distinct strip of land ran along the entire eastern edge of Joseph's territory, and this specific tract actually belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. It was within this unique strip of Benjamin's land that God's presence rested, the Tabernacle was built, and the national festivals were celebrated [מלבי"ם].