Joshua 17

1 And the borders of the tribe of the children of Manasse, (for he the first-born of Joseph,) to Machir the first-born of Manasse the father of Galaad, for he was a warrior, in the land of Galaad and of Basan.

2 And there was assigned to the other sons of Manasse according to their families; to the sons of Jezi, and to the sons of Kelez, and to the sons of Jeziel, and to the sons of Sychem, and to the sons of Symarim, and to the sons of Opher: these the males according to their families.

3 And Salpaad the sons of Opher had no sons but daughters: and these the names of the daughters of Salpaad; Maala, and Nua, and Egla, and Melcha, and Thersa.

4 And they stood before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua, and before the rulers, saying, God gave a charge by the hand of Moses, to give us an inheritance in the midst of our brethren: so there was given to them by the command of the Lord an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

5 And their lot fell from Anassa, and plain of Labec of the land of Galaad, which is beyond Jordan.

6 For the daughters of the sons of Manasse inherited a portion in the midst of their brethren, and the land of Galaad was assigned to the remainder of the sons of Manasse.

7 And the borders of the sons of Manasse were Delanath, which is before the sons of Anath, and it proceeds to the borders to Jamin and Jassib to the fountain of Thaphthoth.

8 It shall belong to Manasse, and Thapheth on the borders of Manasse to the sons of Ephraim.

9 And the borders shall go down to the valley of Carana southward by the valley of Jariel, ( a turpentine tree to Ephraim between the city of Manasse:) and the borders of Manasse northward to the brook; and the sea shall be its termination.

10 Southward to Ephraim, and northward to Manasse; and the sea shall be their cost; and northward they shall border upon Aseb, and eastward upon Issachar.

11 And Manasses shall have in Issachar and Aser Baethsan and their villages, and the inhabitants of Dor, and its villages, and the inhabitants of Mageddo, and its villages, and the third part of Mapheta, and its villages.

12 And the sons of Manasse were not able to destroy these cities; and the Chananite began to dwell in that land.

13 And it came to pass that when the children of Israel were strong, they made the Chananites subject, but they did not utterly destroy them.

14 And the sons of Joseph answered Joshua, saying, Wherefore hast thou caused us to inherit one inheritance, and one line? whereas I am a great people, and God has blessed me.

15 And Joshua said to them, If thou be a great people, go up to the forest, and clear for thyself, If mount Ephraim be too little for thee.

16 And they said, The mount of Ephraim does not please us, and the Chananite dwelling in it in Baethsan, and in its villages, in the valley of Jezrael, has choice cavalry and iron.

17 And Joshua said to the sons of Joseph, If thou art a great people, and hast great strength, thou shalt not have one inheritance.

18 For thou shalt have the wood, for there is a wood, and thou shalt clear it, and shall be thine; even when thou shalt have utterly destroyed the Chananite, for he has chosen cavalry; yet thou art stronger than he.

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]. to.
• [b]. Aser.
• [c]. this.

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.