Joshua - Chapter 17

Joshua 17.1 There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan. Joshua 17.2 There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families. Joshua 17.3 But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Joshua 17.4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father. Joshua 17.5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan; Joshua 17.6 Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh’s sons had the land of Gilead. Joshua 17.7 And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah. Joshua 17.8 Now Manasseh had the land of Tappuah: but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim; Joshua 17.9 And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea: Joshua 17.10 Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east. Joshua 17.11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries. Joshua 17.12 Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. Joshua 17.13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, but did not utterly drive them out. Joshua 17.14 And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? Joshua 17.15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. Joshua 17.16 And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. Joshua 17.17 And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: Joshua 17.18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

Joshua : Chapter 17

Manasseh's Inheritance in Joshua Chapter 17

Chapter 17 of the book of Joshua invites us to reflect on the inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh. This text presents us with significant challenges regarding land distribution within the people of Israel. The allocation of land to Manasseh, particularly the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters, raises crucial questions about justice and gender equality in inheritance matters. Moreover, it highlights the challenges the tribe faces in possessing the Promised Land.

The Request of Joseph's Sons

Joshua 17 also records the request of Joseph's sons for a larger territory. This request underscores the desire for expansion and prosperity, while also highlighting the ongoing struggles to appropriate the land God promised to His people. In this context, we invite you to consider five biblical passages that shed light on the complex themes present in this informative chapter.

Enlightening Bible Passages

Numbers 27:1-7: "The daughters of Zelophehad [...] came near [...] and said, [...] 'Why should our father's name be cut off from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father's brothers.' [...] The Lord said to Moses, 'What the daughters of Zelophehad say is true.'" This passage provides essential context for the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters, as mentioned in Joshua 17:3-6.

1 Chronicles 7:14: "The son of Manasseh was Asriel, whom his Aramean wife bore him; she also bore Machir, the father of Gilead." This verse enriches our understanding of the genealogy of the tribe of Manasseh, whose heritage is described in Joshua 17.

Judges 1:27: "Manasseh did not expel the inhabitants of Bethshean [...] because the Canaanites were determined to live in that region." This passage echoes Joshua 17:12-13, showing the continued presence of Canaanites in the lands of Manasseh.

Psalms 80:2: "Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your power; come and save us." This psalm mentions Manasseh along with other tribes, illustrating the enduring importance of the tribal divisions established in Joshua 17.

Ezekiel 48:4: "Along the border of Naphtali, from the east even to the west, Manasseh shall have a portion." This prophetic vision from Ezekiel reaffirms the importance of tribal heritage, echoing the division of territory described in Joshua 17.

As we meditate on these passages, we are called to appreciate the depth of Manasseh's legacy and how it still resonates today in our understanding of the values ​​of justice and equality within our faith. May these reflections guide us on our own spiritual journey.