Joshua 16:9

The separate cities. Literally, “the cities, the separations,” that is, “the cities set apart.” These were cities set apart from the territory of Manasseh for the children of Ephraim, of which only Tappuah is mentioned (ch. 17:8). In ch. 17:11 is found a list of the cities of Asher and Issachar that were given to Manasseh. In turn Manasseh permitted Ephraim to have some of her cities. These were special arrangements entered into between the tribes in order to make certain territorial adjustments to suit the population. It does indicate a degree of unity existing between the tribes mentioned, at least in the early period of their existence. The cohesion of the ten tribes in opposition to Judah later, until the break came, may have had its beginning in the manner in which the territory was originally divided and shared.