The family group of Joseph spoke to Joshua and said, “You gave us only one area of land. But we are many people. Why did you only give us one part of all the land that the Lord gave his people?”
But his father argued and said, “I know, son. I know. Manasseh is the firstborn. And he will be great. He will also be the father of many people. But the younger brother will be greater than the older brother. And the younger brother’s family will be much larger.”
I have given you something that I did not give your brothers. I give you the mountain that I won from the Amorite people. I used my sword and bow to fight for that mountain. And I won.”
A large family will get much land, and a small family will get less land. The land that they get will be equal to the number of people who were counted.
Joshua answered them, “If you have too many people, then go up to wooded area in the hill country and clear that land and make it useable. That land now belongs to the Perizzite people and the Rephaite people. But if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, then go take that land.”