Josué - Caput 17

Josué 17.1 cecidit autem sors tribui Manasse ipse est enim primogenitus Ioseph Machir primogenito Manasse patri Galaad qui fuit vir pugnator habuitque possessionem Galaad et Basan Josué 17.2 et reliquis filiorum Manasse iuxta familias suas filiis Abiezer et filiis Elech et filiis Esrihel et filiis Sechem et filiis Epher et filiis Semida isti sunt filii Manasse filii Ioseph mares per cognationes suas Josué 17.3 Salphaad vero filio Epher filii Galaad filii Machir filii Manasse non erant filii sed solae filiae quarum ista sunt nomina Maala et Noa Egla et Melcha et Thersa Josué 17.4 veneruntque in conspectu Eleazari sacerdotis et Iosue filii Nun et principum dicentes Dominus praecepit per manum Mosi ut daretur nobis possessio in medio fratrum nostrorum deditque eis iuxta imperium Domini possessionem in medio fratrum patris earum Josué 17.5 et ceciderunt funiculi Manasse decem absque terra Galaad et Basan trans Iordanem Josué 17.6 filiae enim Manasse possederunt hereditatem in medio filiorum eius terra autem Galaad cecidit in sortem filiorum Manasse qui reliqui erant Josué 17.7 fuitque terminus Manasse ab Aser Machmathath quae respicit Sychem et egreditur ad dextram iuxta habitatores fontis Taffuae Josué 17.8 etenim in sorte Manasse ceciderat terra Taffuae quae est iuxta terminos Manasse filiorum Ephraim Josué 17.9 descenditque terminus vallis Harundineti in meridiem torrentis civitatum Ephraim quae in medio sunt urbium Manasse terminus Manasse ab aquilone torrentis et exitus eius pergit ad mare Josué 17.10 ita ut ab austro sit possessio Ephraim et ab aquilone Manasse et utramque claudat mare et coniungantur sibi in tribu Aser ab aquilone et in tribu Isachar ab oriente Josué 17.11 fuitque hereditas Manasse in Isachar et in Aser Bethsan et viculi eius et Ieblaam cum villulis suis et habitatores Dor cum oppidis suis habitatores quoque Hendor cum villulis suis similiterque habitatores Thanach cum villulis suis et habitatores Mageddo cum viculis suis et tertia pars urbis Nofeth Josué 17.12 nec potuerunt filii Manasse has subvertere civitates sed coepit Chananeus habitare in terra ista Josué 17.13 postquam autem convaluerunt filii Israhel subiecerunt Chananeos et fecerunt sibi tributarios nec interfecerunt eos Josué 17.14 locutique sunt filii Ioseph ad Iosue atque dixerunt quare dedisti mihi possessionem sortis et funiculi unius cum sim tantae multitudinis et benedixerit mihi Dominus Josué 17.15 ad quos Iosue ait si populus multus es ascende in silvam et succide tibi spatia in terra Ferezei et Rafaim quia angusta est tibi possessio montis Ephraim Josué 17.16 cui responderunt filii Ioseph non poterimus ad montana conscendere cum ferreis curribus utantur Chananei qui habitant in terra campestri in qua sitae sunt Bethsan cum viculis suis et Iezrahel mediam possidens vallem Josué 17.17 dixitque Iosue ad domum Ioseph Ephraim et Manasse populus multus es et magnae fortitudinis non habebis sortem unam Josué 17.18 sed transibis ad montem et succides tibi atque purgabis ad habitandum spatia et poteris ultra procedere cum subverteris Chananeum quem dicis ferreos habere currus et esse fortissimum

Josué : Caput 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.