Joshua 17
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh - It was necessary to mark this because Jacob, in his blessing, (Gen 48:19, Gen 48:20), did in a certain sense set Ephraim before Manasseh, though the latter was the first-born; but the place here shows that this preference did not affect the rights of primogeniture. For Machir - because he was a man of war - It is not likely that Machir himself was now alive; if he were, he must have been nearly 200 years old: It is therefore probable that what is spoken here is spoken of his children, who now possessed the lot that was originally designed for their father, who it appears had signalized himself as a man of skill and valor in some of the former wars, though the circumstances are not marked. His descendants, being of a warlike, intrepid spirit, were well qualified to defend a frontier country, which would be naturally exposed to invasion.
Open source ↗LOT OF MANASSEH. (Jos 17:1-6) There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh--Ephraim was mentioned, as the more numerous and powerful branch of the family of Joseph (Gen 48:19-20); but Manasseh still retained the right of primogeniture and had a separate inheritance assigned. Machir--his descendants. the father of Gilead--Though he had a son of that name (Num 26:29; Num 27:1), yet, as is evident from the use of the Hebrew article, reference is made, not to the person, but the province of Gilead. "Father" here means lord or possessor of Gilead. This view is confirmed by the fact that it was not Machir, but his descendants, who subdued Gilead and Bashan (Num 32:41; Deu 3:13-15). These Machirites had their portion on the east side of Jordan. The western portion of land, allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, was divided into ten portions because the male descendants who had sons consisted of five families, to which, consequently, five shares were given; and the sixth family, namely, the posterity of Hepher, being all women, the five daughters of Zelophehad were, on application to the valuators, endowed each with an inheritance in land (see on Num 27:4).
Open source ↗There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh,.... As well as for the tribe of Ephraim: for he was the firstborn of Joseph; and therefore ought to have his part and share in the lot of the children of Joseph, though Ephraim was preferred before him in the blessing of Jacob. Some think this is given as a reason why he had a double portion, one on the other side Jordan, and another in the land of Canaan: to wit, for Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead; who was the only son of Manasseh, and so through him, and by his son Gilead, the whole tribe sprung from that patriarch: and because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan; which were given to his posterity by Moses, and lay on the other side Jordan, see Deu 3:13. This Machir very likely had shown his warlike disposition and courage in Egypt, and had fought under the kings there against the common enemy of that country; for it is highly probable he was dead before the children of Israel came out from thence, but the same warlike spirit continued in his posterity; they had their part assigned them on the other side Jordan, to defend that country, while the tribes of Reuben and Gad attended to the care of their flocks and herds.
Open source ↗The inheritance of Manasseh on this side of the Jordan was on the north of Ephraim. Jos 17:1-6 Before proceeding to the more detailed description of the inheritance, the historian thinks it necessary to observe that the Manassites received a double inheritance. This remark is introduced with the words "for he was the first-born of Joseph." On this account, in addition to the territory already given to him in Gilead and Bashan, he received a second allotment of territory in Canaan proper. With the word למכיר (for Machir) the more minute account of the division of the Manassites commences. וגו למכיר is first of all written absolutely at the beginning of the sentence, and then resumed in לו ויהי: "to Machir, the first-born of Manasseh ... to him were Gilead and Bashan assigned, because he was a man of war," i.e., a warlike man, and had earned for himself a claim to the inheritance of Gilead and Bashan through the peculiar bravery which he had displayed in the conquest of those lands. By Machir, however, we are not to understand the actual son of Manasseh, but his family; and הגּלעד אבי does not mean "father of Gilead," but lord (possessor) of Gilead, for Machir's son Gilead is always called גלעד without the article (vid., Jos 17:3; Num 26:29-30; Num 27:1; Num 36:1; Ch1 7:17), whereas the country of that name is just as constantly called הגּלעד (see Jos 17:1, the last clause, Jos 17:5; Jos 13:11, Jos 13:31; Num 32:40; Deu 3:10.). "And there came, i.e., the lot fell (the lot is to be repeated from Jos 17:1), to the other descendants of Manasseh according to their families," which are then enumerated as in Num 26:30-32. "These are the male descendants of Manasseh." הזּכרים must not be altered, notwithstanding the fact that it is preceded and followed by הגּותרים; it is eviden…
Open source ↗Manasseh was itself but one half of the tribe of Joseph, and yet was divided and subdivided. 1. It was divided into two parts, one already settled on the other side Jordan, consisting of those who were the posterity of Machir, Jos 17:1. This Machir was born to Manasseh in Egypt; there he had signalized himself as a man of war, probably in the contests between the Ephraimites and the men of Gath, Ch1 7:21. His warlike disposition descended to his posterity, and therefore Moses gave them Gileaxdand Bashan, on the other side Jordan, of which before, Jos 13:31. It is here said that the lot came to Manasseh, for he was the first-born of Joseph. Bishop Patrick thinks it should be translated, though he was the first-born of Joseph, and then the meaning is plain, that the second lot was for Manasseh, because, though he was the first-born, yet Jacob had preferred Ephraim before him. See the names of those heads of the families that settled on the other side Jordan, Ch1 5:24. 2. That part on this side Jordan as subdivided into ten families, Jos 17:5. There were six sons of Gilead here named (Jos 17:2), the same that are recorded Num 26:30-32, only that he who is there called Jezeer is here called Abiezer. Five of these sons had each of them their portion; the sixth, which was Hepher, had his male line cut off in his son Zelophehad, who left daughters only, five in number, of whom we have often read, and these five had each of them a portion; though perhaps, they claiming under Hepher, all their five portions were but equal to one of the portions of the five sons. Or if Hepher had other sons besides Zelophehad, in whom the name of his family was kept up, their posterity married to the daughters of Zelophehad the elder brother, and in their right had these portions assigned them. S…
Open source ↗17:1 See 13:29-33 and study note.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בְּכוֹר (bᵉkôwr, H1060) — firstborn; hence, chief יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites מָכִיר (Mâkîyr, H4353) — Makir, an Israelite אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan
Open source ↗יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… אֲבִיעֶזֶר (ʼĂbîyʻezer, H44) — Abiezer, the name of two Israelites חֵלֶק (Chêleq, H2507) — Chelek, an Israelite אַשְׂרִיאֵל (ʼAsrîyʼêl, H844) — Asriel, the name of two Israelites שֶׁכֶם (Shekem, H7928) — Shekem, the name of a Hivite and two Israelites חֵפֶר (Chêpher, H2660) — Chepher, a place in Palestine; also the name of three Israelites שְׁמִידָע (Shᵉmîydâʻ, H8061) — Shemida, an Israelite זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗צְלׇפְחָד (Tsᵉlophchâd, H6765) — Tselophchad, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֵפֶר (Chêpher, H2660) — Chepher, a place in Palestine; also the name of three Israelites גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites מָכִיר (Mâkîyr, H4353) — Makir, an Israelite מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… מַחְלָה (Machlâh, H4244) — Machlah, the name apparently of two Israelitesses נֹעָה (Nôʻâh, H5270) — Noah, an Israelitess חׇגְלָה (Choglâh, H2295) — Choglah, an Israelitess מִלְכָּה (Milkâh, H4435) — Milcah, the name of a Hebrewess and of an Israelite תִּרְצָה (Tirtsâh, H8656) — Tirtsah, a place in Palestine; also an Israelitess
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֶלְעָזָר (ʼElʻâzâr, H499) — Elazar, the name of seven Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נוּן (Nûwn, H5126) — Nun or Non, the father of Joshua נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;…
Open source ↗נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
Open source ↗בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory נָחַל (nâchal, H5157) — to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אָשֵׁר (ʼÂshêr, H836) — happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also… מִכְמְתָת (Mikmᵉthâth, H4366) — Mikmethath, a place in Palestine פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… עֵין תַּפּוּחַ (ʻÊyn Tappûwach, H5887) — En-Tappuach, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) תַּפּוּחַ (Tappûwach, H8599) — Tappuach, the name of two places in Palestine, also of an Israelite גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… קָנָה (Qânâh, H7071) — Kanah, the name of a stream and of a place in Palestine נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) תּוֹצָאָה (tôwtsâʼâh, H8444) — (only in plural collective) exit, i.e. (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively)… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… פָּגַע (pâgaʻ, H6293) — to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity אָשֵׁר (ʼÂshêr, H836) — happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also… יִשָּׂשכָר (Yissâˢkâr, H3485) — Jissaskar, a son of Jacob מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east
Open source ↗מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory יִשָּׂשכָר (Yissâˢkâr, H3485) — Jissaskar, a son of Jacob אָשֵׁר (ʼÂshêr, H836) — happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also… בֵּית שְׁאָן (Bêyth Shᵉʼân, H1052) — Beth-Shean or Beth-Shan, a place in Palestine בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יִבְלְעָם (Yiblᵉʻâm, H2991) — Jibleam, a place in Palestine יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… דּוֹר (Dôwr, H1756) — Dor, a place in Palestine עֵין־דֹּאר (ʻÊyn-Dôʼr, H5874) — En-Dor, a place in Palestine תַּעֲנָךְ (Taʻănâk, H8590) — Taanak or Tanak, a place in Palestine מְגִדּוֹן (Mᵉgiddôwn, H4023) — Megiddon or Megiddo, a place in Palestine שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice נֶפֶת (nepheth, H5316) — a height
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… יָאַל (yâʼal, H2974) — properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… מַס (maç, H4522) — properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
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These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead.
Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”
He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees.
Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph in the land of Egypt by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
“Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
Some came from Ephraim, with their roots in Amalek; Benjamin came with your people after you. The commanders came down from Machir, the bearers of the marshal’s staff from Zebulun.
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached
So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them.
But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead.