Joshua 17:9

Southward of the river. The word for “river” here is the word meaning “winter torrent.” Some identify this watercourse as the Abu Zabura, and others as the Nahr el-Kassab, in which the old name Reedbrook is retained. It is probably the brook that flows into the Mediterranean north of Joppa.

These cities of Ephraim. It is not clear just what these cities were. They are also referred to in ch. 16:9, and it may be that Tappuah was one of them. The others are not named, but it is clear that Ephraim had cities in the territory of Manasseh, and Manasseh had cities in the territories of Issachar and Asher. 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.