יהושע, פרק י״ז, פסוק ט״ו

The descendants of Joseph approach Joshua with a complaint about the size of their land, arguing that their large population requires more space. In response, Joshua challenges them to use their demographic advantage not as an excuse for a larger inheritance, but as a tool to expand their borders from within. He makes it clear that he cannot simply give them territory outside of their pre-established boundaries [מלבי״ם]. Instead, he offers a practical and military solution. Because they are a large and powerful group, they already possess the manpower needed to conquer and develop the rugged, forested regions currently held by the Perizzites and Rephaim [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. If they truly have such great strength [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ], they must take the initiative to act.

The primary approach among commentators is that this initiative requires them to cut down and uproot the thick forests, transforming the wild terrain into settled cities and fertile agricultural fields [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This massive undertaking is necessary because their current mountain region is simply too tight and crowded for their growing population [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Other perspectives view this lack of space through the concept of speed, noting that the area is so small a person could quickly walk from one end to the other [מצודת ציון]. In a more poetic sense, the mountain itself is seen as hurrying and waiting in anticipation for them to arrive, clear the land, and build a settlement [מלבי״ם].

This settlement effort also demands a significant military campaign, as they must fight the Perizzites and Rephaim to take over their land [רלב״ג]. However, the descendants of Joseph hesitate. They fear that even if they clear the forests, the space will still not be enough, and they are afraid to fight in the valleys against Canaanites armed with terrifying iron chariots. Joshua reassures them that their massive numbers provide the exact strength needed to drive out the enemy, despite any technological advantage the Canaanites might hold. To succeed in this heavy campaign, he requires the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh to cooperate and support one another [רד״ק, רלב״ג].

Beyond the practical and geographical strategy, there is also a spiritual layer to this exchange. According to the traditions of the sages, Joshua's advice to move into the forest was partly intended to help them hide among the trees to avoid the evil eye, which could be drawn by their enormous population. The descendants of Joseph confidently reply that, as the offspring of Joseph, they are entirely immune to the effects of the evil eye [חומת אנך].