Joshua17

Joshua 17 details the land allotment for the tribe of Manasseh, Joseph's firstborn, including a special provision for Zelophehad's daughters to inherit land. The chapter describes Manasseh's territorial boundaries and their failure to fully drive out the Canaanites, instead subjecting them to tribute. It concludes with the Josephite tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) complaining about their limited inheritance, to which Joshua encourages them to clear more land despite the Canaanites' iron chariots.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

The Land Allotted to Manasseh

1
Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war. ​
2
So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph.
3
But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ​
4
They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD. ​
5
Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan, ​
6
because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.

The Western Border Defined

7
Now the border of Manasseh went from Asher to Michmethath near Shechem, then southward to include the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
8
The region of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to Ephraim. ​
9
From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah. There were cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea.
10
Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
11
Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphath), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements. ​

Failure to Dispossess the Canaanites

12
But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these cities, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land. ​
13
However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they put the Canaanites to forced labor; but they failed to drive them out completely. ​

The House of Joseph Demands More Land

14
Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD has blessed us abundantly.” ​
15
Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.” ​
16
“The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.” ​
17
So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment,
18
because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.” ​

Study Notes for Joshua 17

Verse 1

Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh, was granted land east of the Jordan (Gilead and Bashan) due to his military prowess (Num. 32:39-40), establishing the two 'half-tribes' of Manasseh.

Verse 3

The daughters of Zelophehad were crucial figures who successfully petitioned Moses for the right to inherit land in the absence of male heirs (Num. 27). This narrative confirms the implementation of that legal precedent.

Verse 4

Appearing before the key leaders (Eleazar, Joshua, and the princes) demonstrates the official, legally binding nature of their claim, ensuring that the inheritance law established by Moses was fully honored.

Verse 5

The ten portions allocated west of the Jordan were divided among the five clan leaders listed in verse 2 and the five daughters of Zelophehad, totaling ten tracts of land.

Verse 8

The border between Manasseh and Ephraim was complex and irregular. This verse shows that certain cities belonged to one tribe even though they were geographically located within the territory of the other, indicating intermingled settlements.

Verse 11

These six cities were major Canaanite strongholds located in the fertile valleys, especially the crucial Jezreel Valley. Their retention by the Canaanites posed a significant future threat to Israelite security and unity.

Verse 12

This verse introduces the recurring tragic theme found throughout the book of Judges: Israel’s failure to complete the conquest as commanded by God. This incomplete obedience ensured future conflict.

Verse 13

Putting the Canaanites to tribute (forced labor/taxation) rather than driving them out was an act of compromise motivated by economic gain. This spiritual failure occurred even after Israel had gained sufficient strength to conquer them.

Verse 14

The 'children of Joseph' (Ephraim and Manasseh) complain that their large population, which they attribute to God’s blessing, requires a larger territory. They view their inheritance as insufficient, despite receiving two large, distinct territories.

Verse 15

Joshua challenges their complaint by pointing out that the available hill country is currently forested and occupied by the Perizzites. He implies that their perceived lack of land is actually a lack of faith and initiative to perform the necessary clearing and conquest.

Verse 16

The Josephites rationalize their fear, citing the 'chariots of iron' used by the Canaanites in the valleys. Iron chariots represented superior military technology, which Israel felt incapable of overcoming without God’s direct, miraculous intervention.

Verse 18

Joshua confirms their potential strength but insists they must act on it. The message is that superior faith and effort (clearing the wood) must overcome superior technology (iron chariots) to claim the full inheritance promised by God.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options