Joshua 17

Listen to Joshua 17
1 Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh, for he was 1the firstborn of Joseph. To 2Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, 3were allotted Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war.
2 And allotments were made 4to the rest of the people of Manasseh by their clans, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph, by their clans.
3 Now 5Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: 6Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4 They approached 7Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the leaders and said, 8"The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers." So according to the mouth of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.
5 Thus there fell to Manasseh ten portions, besides 9the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side of the Jordan,
6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh.
7 The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to 10Michmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the boundary goes along southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
8 The land of 11Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but the town of Tappuah on the boundary of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim.
9 12Then the boundary went down to the brook Kanah. These cities, to the south of the brook, among the cities of Manasseh, belong to Ephraim. Then the boundary of Manasseh goes on the north side of the brook and ends at the sea,
10 the land to the south being Ephraim's and that to the north being Manasseh's, with the sea forming its boundary. On the north Asher is reached, and on the east Issachar.
11 Also in Issachar and in Asher 13Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of 14Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of 15Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of 16Megiddo and its villages; 17the third is Naphath.[a]
12 18Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.
13 Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites 19to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.
14 Then 20the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have you given me but 21one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am 22a numerous people, since all along the LORD has blessed me?"
15 And Joshua said to them, "If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and 23the Rephaim, since 24the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you."
16 The people of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have 25chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in 26the Valley of Jezreel."
17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, "You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only,
18 but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, 27though 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.

Cross References 27

  • 1. Genesis 41:51; Genesis 46:20; Genesis 48:18
  • 2. Genesis 50:23; Numbers 26:29; Numbers 32:39, 40; 1 Chronicles 7:14
  • 3. Deuteronomy 3:13, 15
  • 4. See Numbers 26:29-32
  • 5. Numbers 26:33; Numbers 27:1; Numbers 36:2, 11
  • 6. Numbers 26:33; Numbers 27:1; Numbers 36:2, 11
  • 7. Joshua 14:1; Joshua 21:1; Numbers 34:17
  • 8. Numbers 27:6, 7; Numbers 36:2
  • 9. ver. 1; Joshua 13:30, 31
  • 10. Joshua 16:6
  • 11. Joshua 16:8, 9
  • 12. [See ver. 8 above]
  • 13. 1 Chronicles 7:29; [1 Kings 4:11, 12]
  • 14. 1 Chronicles 7:29; [1 Kings 4:11, 12]
  • 15. 1 Chronicles 7:29; [1 Kings 4:11, 12]
  • 16. 1 Chronicles 7:29; [1 Kings 4:11, 12]
  • 17. [Joshua 11:2; Joshua 12:23]
  • 18. Judges 1:27, 28
  • 19. Joshua 16:10; Genesis 49:15
  • 20. Joshua 16:4
  • 21. [Genesis 48:22]
  • 22. Genesis 48:19; [Numbers 26:34, 37]
  • 23. See Joshua 12:4
  • 24. Joshua 24:33; Judges 3:27
  • 25. See Joshua 11:6
  • 26. Judges 6:33
  • 27. Deuteronomy 20:1; See Joshua 11:6

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

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.

Joshua 17 Commentaries

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.