14 Then the two half-tribes of Efrayim and Manashsheh asked Yehoshua, “Why have you only given to us one measured allocation as an inheritance when we’re very numerous because Yahweh has already blessed us?”

15 “If there’s so many of you,” Yehoshua answered, “and if Efrayim’s hill-country is too small for you, go into the forested area of the Perizzites and the Refaites and clear some land for yourselves there.”

16 “The hill country certainly isn’t big enough for all of us,” they responded, “plus the Canaanites living in the Yezreel valley and in Beyt-Shan and the surrounding towns have iron chariots.”

17 So Yehoshua told the half-tribes of Efrayim and Manashsheh, “Yes, there’s a lot of you and you’re very powerful. One land allotment wouldn’t be enough for you 18 so the hill country will be yours as well. However, it’s a forest and you’ll have to clear it to the borders. You’ll need to drive out the Canaanites even if they are strong and with iron chariots.”