Joshua 17

The Allotment of the Other Half-Tribe of Manasseh

1 Then the allotment was made for the tribe of Manasseh, because he [was] the firstborn of Joseph. To Makir, the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, {were allotted} Gilead and Bashan, because he was a warrior.

2 [An allotment] was [made] for the remaining descendants of Manasseh, according to their families: For the children of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida--these [were] the male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph according to their families.

3 But Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, only daughters. These [are] the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

4 They came before Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, saying, "Yahweh commanded Moses to give an inheritance to us among our kinsmen." Therefore, according to the {command of Yahweh} he gave them an inheritance among the kinsmen of their father.

5 Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which [is] beyond the Jordan,

6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead was [allotted] to the remaining descendants of Manasseh.

7 The border of Manasseh was from Asher [to] Micmethath, which [is] opposite Shechem; then the border goes to the south, to the inhabitants of En Tappuah.

8 The land of Tappuah {belonged to Manasseh}, but Tuppuah on the border of Manasseh {belonged to the descendants of Ephraim}.

9 Then the border goes down [to] the wadi of Kanah to the south of the wadi. These cities [belong] to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh. The border of Manasseh [is] north of the wadi, and {it ends} at the sea.

10 The south [is] Ephraim's, and the north [is] Manasseh's; the sea is their border; Asher touches [the] north and on [the] east Issachar.

11 In Issachar and Asher, Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, Ibleam and its villages, the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Napheth.

12 But the descendants of Manasseh were not able to take possession of these towns; the Canaanites were determined to live in this land.

13 And it happened, when the {Israelites} grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor but never drove them out completely.

The Tribes of Joseph Object

14 The descendants of Joseph spoke with Joshua, saying, "Why have you given us one allotment and one share [as] an inheritance? We are many people, which Yahweh has blessed."

15 And Joshua said to them, "If you [are] many people, go up to the forest and clear [a place] there for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is [too] narrow for you."

16 And the descendants of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all of the Canaanites living in the land of the valley [have] chariots of iron, those in Beth-shean and its villages, and those in the Jezreel Valley."

17 And Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, "You are many people and have great power; you will not have one allotment [only];

18 [the] hill country will be yours. Even though it [is] a forest, you will clear it, and it will be yours [to] its farthest borders. You will drive out the Canaanites, even though they have iron chariots and [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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "and there was to him"
• [b]. Literally "a man of war"
• [c]. Or "sons"
• [d]. Or "sons"
• [e]. Or "among our brothers"
• [f]. Literally "mouth of Yahweh"
• [g]. Or "brothers"
• [h]. Or "sons"
• [i]. Or "which faces Shechem"
• [j]. Literally "was to Manasseh"
• [k]. Literally "was to the children of Ephraim"
• [l]. A valley that is dry most of the year, but contains a stream during the rainy season
• [m]. Literally "the goings out of it were"
• [n]. Hebrew "its"
• [o]. Or "sons"
• [p]. Hebrew "Canaanite"
• [q]. Literally "sons/children of Israel"
• [r]. Hebrew "Canaanite"
• [s]. Or "sons"
• [t]. Hebrew "to me"
• [u]. Hebrew "Perizzite"
• [v]. Or "sons"
• [w]. Hebrew "Canaanite"
• [x]. Hebrew "chariot"
• [y]. Hebrew "Canaanite"

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.