Joshua 17:1-6

1 This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers.

2 So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans.

3 Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.

4 They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the LORD’s command.

5 Manasseh’s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan,

6 because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh.

Joshua 17:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. S Numbers 1:34; 1 Chronicles 7:14
• 2. S Genesis 41:51
• 3. S Genesis 50:23
• 4. S Joshua 12:2
• 5. S Joshua 12:5
• 6. Joshua 22:7
• 7. S Numbers 26:30; Judges 6:11,34; Judges 8:2; 1 Chronicles 7:18
• 8. 1 Chronicles 7:14
• 9. S Numbers 27:1
• 10. 1 Chronicles 7:19
• 11. S Numbers 27:1
• 12. S Numbers 26:33
• 13. Numbers 27:5-7
• 14. Joshua 13:30-31