John Calvin Commentary Joshua 17:11

"And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, even the three heights." — Joshua 17:11 (ASV)

And Manasseh had in Issachar, etc. How they were so intermingled as to possess some cities in the allotment of Asher and Issachar, while the tribe of Ephraim lived between their borders, is not easy to determine, unless, perhaps, it was perceived that a more suitable dwelling place would not be subject to many complaints, or, perhaps, after the whole country had become better known, some change was made based on principles of fairness in the previous division.

This, therefore, seems to have been a new acquisition after it was discovered that the descendants of Manasseh could occupy a larger area without loss to others. Nor was the dwelling place given to them a conquered one, which they could immediately enjoy; instead, it was an inheritance held in hope, founded more on heavenly promise than on actual possession.

And yet, their failure to gain possession of those cities is attributed to their own fault, because the allotment assigning it to them was an undoubted pledge of victory. The reason, therefore, why they could not expel the inhabitants was that they were not fully convinced that God is true, and they hindered His work by their own inaction.

But another, even less pardonable crime was committed when, though they had the power to easily destroy everyone, they were not only negligent in executing God’s command but, motivated by sordid gain, they preserved alive those whom God had condemned to destruction. For when we impose tribute on people, we, in a way, take them under our trust and protection.

God had appointed them as agents of His vengeance, and He provided them with the strength to carry it out; yet they not only delayed but also deprived themselves of the freedom to act rightly. It is not surprising, therefore, that God severely punished this willful disobedience by making those nations—whom they had spared despite a clear command against it—become like thorns to pierce their eyes and pricks to irritate their sides.

Here, again, a question arises: How were cities granted to them in the territory of the tribes of Asher and Issachar when the portions of both were still unknown? It seems, therefore, that what had not yet taken place is related here in anticipation. However that may be, we gather that due to a lack of knowledge about the locations, individual portions were not divided so precisely as to prevent the need for later corrections to what had been somewhat decided.

We must understand in general, regarding both the tribe of Ephraim and the others, that many of the cities they gained were insignificant because of the destruction. I do not doubt that many ruins lie buried here.

On the other hand, we must conclude that their famous cities were founded in fertile areas, or in places with other advantages where only small villages had previously existed.

It is certain that Sichem was important enough to have both a name and status, yet there is no mention of it here. The same is true for Samaria, which, as is well known, belonged to the same tribe of Ephraim when it was the capital of the kingdom of Israel.

It is clear, therefore, that each tribe possessed several cities that are not mentioned here.