And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.
The descendants of Joseph said, 'The hill country isn't big enough for us. And all the Canaanites living in the valley areas have iron chariots—both those in Beth-shean and its surrounding towns, and those in the valley of Jezreel.'
The tribes descended from Joseph are complaining that their assigned territory is too small and that the remaining unconquered areas are too difficult because the enemies have superior military technology.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel after their initial conquest under Joshua. The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph's sons) were given territory in the central hill country, but they wanted more land. Iron chariots were advanced military technology at the time, giving the Canaanites a significant advantage in warfare, especially in flat valley areas where chariots could be effectively used.
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