Joshua Reassures the Manassites

Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns,
for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.
However, when the Israelites grew stronger,
they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor
but did not drive them out completely.

The people of Joseph said to Joshua,
"Why have you given us only one allotment
and one portion for an inheritance?
We are a numerous people
and the Lord has blessed us abundantly."

"If you are so numerous," Joshua answered,
"and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you,
go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there
in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."

The people of Joseph replied,
"The hill country is not enough for us,
and all the Canaanites who live in the plain
have iron chariots,
both those in Beth Shan and its settlements
and those in the Valley of Jezreel."

But Joshua said to the house of Joseph -
to Ephraim and Manasseh -
""You are numerous and very powerful.
You will have not only one allotment
but the forested hill country as well.
Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours;
though the Canaanites have iron chariots
and though they are strong,
you can drive them out."

(Joshua 17:12-18)