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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. This mutual sharing and yielding of territory to each other would tend to produce a solidarity among the several tribes, and prevent disunion. The interest of the stronger tribes would be served by completing the conquest of the territory assigned to the weaker. We help ourselves when we help others. 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. For centuries a feeling of jealousy and bitterness against Judah, because of the largeness of her territory in contrast with theirs, probably rankled in the hearts of the northern cities.