Joshua 17:4

4 They went to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua son of Nun and to the leaders, and said, "The Lord commanded Moses to give us, as well as our male relatives, a part of the land to possess." So, as the Lord had commanded, they were given land along with their male relatives. ¹

Joshua 17:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 17:4

And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before
Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes
The ten princes, who, with Eleazar and Joshua, were appointed to divide the land, ( Numbers 34:17-29 ) ; and were now met together for that purpose, ( Joshua 14:1 ) ;

saying, the Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our
brethren;
those of the same tribe with them; for upon their application to Moses he inquired of the Lord, who ordered him to grant their request, ( Numbers 27:1-7 ) ;

therefore according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them an
inheritance among the brethren of their fathers;
that is, to the half tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 17:4 In-Context

2 Land west of the Jordan was assigned to the rest of the families of Manasseh: Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and they were heads of families.

3 Zelophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, did not have any sons, but only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

4 They went to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua son of Nun and to the leaders, and said, "The Lord commanded Moses to give us, as well as our male relatives, a part of the land to possess." So, as the Lord had commanded, they were given land along with their male relatives.

5 This is why Manasseh received ten shares in addition to Gilead and Bashan on the east side of the Jordan,

6 since his female descendants as well as his male descendants were assigned land. The land of Gilead was assigned to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh.

Cross References

• 1. 17.4Numbers 27.1-7.