Joshua 17

1 [This] was the lot for the tribe of Menashsheh; for he was the firstborn of Yosef. As for Makhir the firstborn of Menashsheh, the father of Gil`ad, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gil`ad and Bashan.

2 So [the lot] was for the rest of the children of Menashsheh according to their families: for the children of Avi-Ezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asri'el, and for the children of Shekhem, and for the children of Hefer, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Menashsheh the son of Yosef according to their families.

3 But Tzelohchad, the son of Hefer, the son of Gil`ad, the son of Makhir, the son of Menashsheh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlach, and No`ah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirtzah.

4 They came near before El`azar the Kohen, and before Yehoshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, the LORD commanded Moshe to give us an inheritance among our brothers: therefore according to the mitzvah of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.

5 There fell ten parts to Menashsheh, besides the land of Gil`ad and Bashan, which is beyond the Yarden;

6 because the daughters of Menashsheh had an inheritance among his sons. The land of Gil`ad belonged to the rest of the sons of Menashsheh.

7 The border of Menashsheh was from Asher to Mikhmetat, which is before Shekhem; and the border went along to the right hand, to the inhabitants of `Entappu'ach.

8 The land of Tappuach belonged to Menashsheh; but Tappuach on the border of Menashsheh belonged to the children of Efrayim.

9 The border went down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Efrayim among the cities of Menashsheh: and the border of Menashsheh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out of it were at the sea:

10 southward it was Efrayim's, and northward it was Menashsheh's, and the sea was his border; and they reached to Asher on the north, and to Yissakhar on the east.

11 Menashsheh had in Yissakhar and in Asher Beit-She'an and its towns, and Yivle`am and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Ta`nakh and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, even the three heights.

12 Yet the children of Menashsheh couldn't drive out [the inhabitants of] those cities; but the Kana`anim would dwell in that land.

13 It happened, when the children of Yisra'el had grown strong, that they put the Kana`anim to forced labor, and didn't utterly drive them out.

14 The children of Yosef spoke to Yehoshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one part for an inheritance, seeing I am a great people, because hitherto the LORD has blessed me?

15 Yehoshua said to them, If you are a great people, go up to the forest, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzi and of the Refa'im; since the hill-country of Efrayim is too narrow for you.

16 The children of Yosef said, The hill-country is not enough for us: and all the Kana`anim who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are in Beit-She'an and its towns, and they who are in the valley of Yizre`el.

17 Yehoshua spoke to the house of Yosef, even to Efrayim and to Menashsheh, saying, You are a great people, and have great power; you shall not have one lot only:

18 but the hill-country shall be yours; for though it is a forest, you shall cut it down, and the goings out of it shall be your; for you shall drive out the Kana`anim, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.

Joshua 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

The lot of Manasseh. (1-6) The boundaries of Manasseh, The Canaanites not driven out. (7-13) Joseph desires a larger portion. (14-18)

Verses 1-6 Manasseh was but half of the tribe of Joseph, yet it was divided into two parts. The daughters of Zelophehad now reaped the benefit of their pious zeal and prudent forecast. Those who take care in the wilderness of this world, to make sure to themselves a place in the inheritance of the saints in light, will have the comfort of it in the other world; while those who neglect it now, will lose it for ever. Lord, teach us here to believe and obey, and give us an inheritance among thy saints, in glory everlasting.

Verses 7-13 There was great communication between Manasseh and Ephraim. Though each tribe had its inheritance, yet they should intermix one with another, to do good offices one to another, as became those, who, though of different tribes, were all one Israel, and were bound to love as brethren. But they suffered the Canaanites to live among them, against the command of God, to serve their own ends.

Verses 14-18 Joshua, as a public person, had no more regard to his own tribe than to any other, but would govern without favour or affection; wherein he has left a good example to all in public trusts. Joshua tells them, that what was fallen to their share would be a sufficient lot for them, if they would but work and fight. Men excuse themselves from labour by any pretence; and nothing serves the purpose better than having rich and powerful relations, able to provide for them; and they are apt to desire a partial and unfaithful disposal of what is intrusted to those they think able to give such help. But there is more real kindness in pointing out the advantages within reach, and in encouraging men to make the best of them, than in granting indulgences to sloth and extravagance. True religion gives no countenance to these evils. The rule is, They shall not eat who will not work; and many of our "cannots" are only the language of idleness, which magnifies every difficulty and danger. This is especially the case in our spiritual work and warfare. Without Christ we can do nothing, but we are apt to sit still and attempt nothing. if we belong to Him, he will stir us up to our best endeavours, and to cry to him for help. Then our coast ( 1 Chronicles. 4:9 1 Chronicles. 4:10 ) rather, turned into joyful thanksgivings.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 17

This chapter gives an account of the lot that fell to the half tribe of Manasseh, to the male children of Manasseh, and to the daughters of Zelophehad, Jos 17:1-6; and describes the coast of that lot, Jos 17:7-13; and relates the request of the sons of Joseph, to have their lot enlarged, which was granted, Jos 17:14-18.