Joshua 16 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 16:10
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Joshua 16
Joseph’s allotment: receiving the gift faithfully in Christ
Editorial thematic reading: Ephesians 1:11–14 supplies an inheritance meditation. The continued Canaanite presence and the Greek’s later Gezer narrative remain distinct textual claims.
16:1–4 | The lot of Joseph
Verse MT 16:1 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:1
The lot for the sons of Joseph went out from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho eastward, into the wilderness ascending from Jericho through the hill country to Bethel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:1
The borders of the sons of Joseph began at the Jordan opposite Jericho on the east and will ascend from Jericho into the wilderness hill country to Bethel-luza,
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek does not separately mention the waters of Jericho and places Luza with Bethel in this verse.
Verse MT 16:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:2
It went out from Bethel to Luz and passed to the boundary of the Archites at Ataroth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:2
and will go out to Bethel and pass to the borders of the Chatarothites,
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew describes Bethel-to-Luz and the Archite boundary at Ataroth; Greek has Bethel and the Chatarothite designation.
Verse MT 16:3 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:3
It went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth-horon and as far as Gezer, and ended at the sea.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:3
and will pass toward the sea to the borders of Aptalim as far as the borders of Lower Beth-horon; their endpoint will be at the sea.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks Gezer here, placing Gazara in verse 5. Aptalim is retained beside Hebrew Japhletites.
Verse MT 16:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:4
The sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:4
The sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, received their inheritance.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The brothers are named in reverse order.
16:5–10 | Ephraim’s boundaries and Gezer
Verse MT 16:5 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:5
The boundary of the sons of Ephraim according to their clans was this: the eastern boundary of their inheritance was Ataroth-addar as far as Upper Beth-horon.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:5
The borders of the sons of Ephraim according to their divisions were these: the borders of their inheritance on the east were Ataroth and Erok, as far as Upper Beth-horon and Gazara.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek separates Ataroth and Erok and includes Gazara here; Hebrew has the compound Ataroth-addar.
Verse MT 16:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:6
The boundary went out westward, with Michmethath on the north; the boundary turned eastward to Taanath-shiloh and passed beyond it eastward to Janoah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:6
The boundary will pass toward the sea to Ikasmon, with Therma on the north; it will turn eastward to Thenasa and Sellesa and pass on the east to Janoka,
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The transmitted landmarks differ, including Greek Therma and the separate Thenasa and Sellesa. Neither route is reconstructed from the other.
Verse MT 16:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:7
It went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, reached Jericho, and went out to the Jordan.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:7
and to Macho and Ataroth and their villages; it will come to Jericho and pass through to the Jordan.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek has Macho and their villages where Hebrew describes the descent from Janoah and names Naarah.
Verse MT 16:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:8
From Tappuah the boundary went westward to the Kanah ravine and ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Ephraim according to their clans.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:8
From Taphou the boundary will go toward the sea to Chelkana, and their endpoint will be at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of Ephraim according to their divisions.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The Greek forms Taphou and Chelkana are retained beside Tappuah and the Kanah ravine; the route and closing formula correspond.
Verse MT 16:9 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:9
Also there were cities set apart for the sons of Ephraim within the inheritance of the sons of Manasseh—all the cities and their villages.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:9
Also there were cities set apart for the sons of Ephraim amid the inheritance of the sons of Manasseh—all the cities and their villages.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both record Ephraimite enclaves within Manasseh’s inheritance.
Verse MT 16:10 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:10
They did not dispossess the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; the Canaanites live among Ephraim to this day and became subject to forced labor.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:10
Ephraim did not destroy the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. The Canaanites lived in Ephraim to this day, until Pharaoh king of Egypt went up, took it, and set it on fire. They pierced through the Canaanites, Perizzites, and inhabitants of Gezer, and Pharaoh gave it as a dowry to his daughter.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew concludes with forced labor. Greek instead adds a later capture, killing, burning, and Pharaoh’s dowry grant. Its to this day followed by until is retained; compare the related biblical narrative in 1 Kings 9:16.