Joshua 17:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Manasseh {H4519} had in Issachar {H3485} and in Asher {H836} Bethshean {H1052} and her towns {H1323}, and Ibleam {H2991} and her towns {H1323}, and the inhabitants {H3427} of Dor {H1756} and her towns {H1323}, and the inhabitants {H3427} of Endor {H5874} and her towns {H1323}, and the inhabitants {H3427} of Taanach {H8590} and her towns {H1323}, and the inhabitants {H3427} of Megiddo {H4023} and her towns {H1323}, even three {H7969} countries {H5316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In Asher and Yissakhar, M'nasheh had Beit-Sh'an and its villages; Yivle'am and its villages; and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, of 'Ein-Dor and its villages, of Ta'anakh and its villages, and of Megiddo and its villages - three districts in all.

Berean Standard Bible

Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphath), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements.

American Standard Version

And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, even the three heights.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 17:11 meticulously details the specific cities and their surrounding territories within the tribal allotments of Issachar and Asher that were designated for the tribe of Manasseh. This enumeration highlights the precise nature of Israel's inherited land, yet it implicitly foreshadows the significant challenge and subsequent failure of Manasseh to fully dispossess the indigenous Canaanite inhabitants from these strategic strongholds, laying the groundwork for a recurring theme of incomplete obedience throughout the Book of Joshua and into the period of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the detailed account of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes following the initial conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. Specifically, it falls within the description of Manasseh's inheritance, which was unique in that it spanned both sides of the Jordan River and included enclaves within other tribal territories. Immediately following this verse, [Joshua 17:12](/joshua/17-12 "Joshua 17:12 - Manasseh's Failure to Dispossess") explicitly states the tragic outcome: "Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land." This direct contrast between the divine assignment (v. 11) and the human failure (v. 12) is crucial for understanding the theological message of the passage, setting up a pattern of partial obedience that plagues Israel throughout its early history, as seen in [Judges 1:27-28](/judges/1-27 "Judges 1:27-28 - Manasseh's Incomplete Conquest").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in Joshua is the transition from nomadic wandering to settled agricultural life in Canaan, a land already populated by various Canaanite city-states. These cities, such as Bethshean, Megiddo, and Dor, were often fortified, strategically located along vital trade routes, and possessed superior military technology, including iron chariots, as mentioned in [Joshua 17:16](/joshua/17-16 "Joshua 17:16 - Iron Chariots of the Canaanites"). God's command to Israel was to utterly dispossess these inhabitants to prevent their idolatrous practices and moral corruption from infecting Israel, as reiterated in [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Warnings Against Idolatry"). The failure to do so, as highlighted in this verse and its immediate sequel, represents a significant breach of covenant obligations and a foundational reason for the subsequent spiritual decline and cycles of oppression detailed in the Book of Judges.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 17:11, especially when read in conjunction with the subsequent verses, introduces and reinforces several key themes. The most prominent is **incomplete obedience**, demonstrating Israel's recurring struggle to fully execute God's commands regarding the land's inhabitants. This failure directly leads to the theme of **persistent enemy strongholds**, as the listed cities become pockets of resistance and sources of future temptation and conflict for Israel, ultimately undermining their security and spiritual purity. The detailed **geographic specificity** of the verse underscores the precise nature of God's promised inheritance and the clear mandate given to each tribe, making their failure all the more pronounced. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine patience contrasted with human weakness**, as God's initial provision is met with Israel's lack of faith and resolve.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Manasseh (Hebrew, _Mənaššeh'_):** One of the two sons of Joseph, whose descendants formed a prominent tribe in Israel. Their territory was extensive, stretching from the Jordan River westward, but also included these specific enclaves within the territories of Issachar and Asher. The name "Manasseh" means "causing to forget," referring to Joseph's declaration that God had made him forget all his toil and his father's house ([Genesis 41:51](/genesis/41-51 "Genesis 41:51 - Joseph Names Manasseh")). Ironically, in the context of this verse, the tribe of Manasseh seems to have "forgotten" or neglected their divine mandate to fully dispossess the Canaanites.
* **Towns (Hebrew, _bānôṯ_):** Literally "daughters" or "villages." In this context, it refers to the smaller settlements, dependent villages, or agricultural communities surrounding the main city. The inclusion of "her towns" emphasizes that the command to dispossess was not limited to the fortified city centers but extended to the entire sphere of influence and population centers associated with these Canaanite strongholds, indicating a comprehensive inheritance and a comprehensive command for cleansing the land.
* **Countries (Hebrew, _gəḇul_):** This term typically refers to a "border," "territory," or "district." The phrase "even three countries" at the end of the verse likely refers to three distinct regional areas or clusters of these cities (e.g., the Bethshean/Ibleam area, the Dor area, and the Endor/Taanach/Megiddo area), indicating the breadth and strategic importance of the regions Manasseh was meant to conquer and occupy. It highlights the significant scope of their assigned task and the extent of their subsequent failure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns":** This clause establishes Manasseh's unique territorial arrangement, possessing enclaves within the allotments of neighboring tribes. Bethshean was a strategically vital city in the Jordan Valley, controlling key trade routes and fertile agricultural land, making its possession crucial for Israel's economic and military security in the region.
* **"and Ibleam and her towns":** Ibleam, located further west in the central hill country, was another significant Canaanite stronghold. Its inclusion demonstrates the scattered nature of Manasseh's assigned enclaves and the pervasive presence of unconquered pockets of resistance.
* **"and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns":** Dor was a major coastal city and port on the Mediterranean Sea. Its control would have provided Israel with access to maritime trade and a strategic foothold on the coast, making its failure to dispossess the inhabitants particularly impactful.
* **"and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns":** Endor, situated near Mount Tabor, was another key location. Its later appearance in Israel's history as a place of pagan consultation ([1 Samuel 28:7](/1_samuel/28-7 "1 Samuel 28:7 - Saul and the Medium of Endor")) underscores the long-term spiritual danger posed by leaving Canaanite strongholds intact.
* **"and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns":** Taanach, located in the Jezreel Valley (Plain of Esdraelon), was a highly strategic city, part of a cluster of fortresses that dominated this crucial northern plain, often a battleground throughout Israel's history.
* **"and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns":** Megiddo, perhaps the most famous of these cities, also in the Jezreel Valley, was a formidable fortress controlling a vital pass. Its strategic importance is attested by its frequent mention in ancient Near Eastern history and its symbolic association with the final battle of Armageddon in Revelation ([Revelation 16:16](/revelation/16-16 "Revelation 16:16 - Armageddon")).
* **"[even] three countries":** This concluding phrase summarizes the geographical scope of these enclaves. It emphasizes that these were not isolated cities but represented control over significant regional territories, making Manasseh's failure to fully occupy them a failure of substantial proportion, impacting the security and spiritual purity of a large segment of the promised land.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition** to convey its message. The detailed listing of six cities (Bethshean, Ibleam, Dor, Endor, Taanach, Megiddo), each followed by the phrase "and her towns," provides a precise and comprehensive account of the specific territories assigned to Manasseh. This **Repetition** of "and her towns" emphasizes the totality of the inheritance and, by implication, the totality of the command to dispossess, highlighting that the failure was not merely in taking the main cities but in clearing out their entire spheres of influence. The phrase "even three countries" serves as a concluding **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the broad geographical scope of these enclaves. This meticulous detail, while seemingly a dry list, serves a crucial literary function: it sets up a dramatic tension with the very next verse, [Joshua 17:12](/joshua/17-12 "Joshua 17:12 - Manasseh's Failure"), where the stated inability to drive out the inhabitants directly contradicts the divine intention and the detailed provision outlined in this verse. This juxtaposition creates a sense of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the long-term consequences of Israel's partial obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 17:11, while a seemingly dry geographical listing, serves as a crucial theological pivot point, setting the stage for one of the most persistent failures in Israel's early history: the incomplete dispossessing of the Canaanites. The detailed enumeration of the cities underscores the precision of God's provision and the clarity of the divine mandate. The subsequent failure of Manasseh, explicitly stated in the following verse, highlights the critical theme of incomplete obedience, demonstrating that God's promises are contingent not only on His faithfulness but also on human faithfulness in carrying out His commands. This partial obedience left pockets of pagan influence that would later become "thorns in your sides" ([Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Consequences of Incomplete Conquest")) and a source of idolatry and moral corruption, directly leading to the cycles of apostasy and judgment seen throughout the Book of Judges. It teaches that compromise with evil, even in seemingly small areas, can have devastating long-term consequences for spiritual purity and national well-being.

* [Numbers 33:55](/numbers/33-55 "Numbers 33:55 - Warning Against Leaving Inhabitants")
* [Judges 1:27-28](/judges/1-27 "Judges 1:27-28 - Manasseh's Failure to Drive Out")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of Manasseh's inheritance and subsequent failure in Joshua 17:11-12 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. Just as Manasseh was given a clear inheritance and a clear command to fully possess it by driving out the inhabitants, so too are believers given a rich spiritual inheritance in Christ, along with a divine mandate to overcome sin and worldly influences in our lives. The listed cities represent the "strongholds" in our spiritual landscape—areas of compromise, unconfessed sin, or persistent worldly patterns that we fail to fully surrender to Christ. Leaving these areas unconquered, whether it be a lingering addiction, a pattern of negative thinking, unaddressed bitterness, or a compromise with cultural values that contradict God's Word, can lead to spiritual stagnation, compromise, and a diminished experience of God's promised abundant life. This passage calls us to a radical, complete obedience, trusting in God's strength to empower us to drive out every "Canaanite" from the territory of our hearts and minds, ensuring that we fully possess the spiritual freedom and holiness that is our inheritance in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unconquered cities" or areas of compromise might exist in my own life, hindering my full spiritual inheritance?**
* **In what ways might I be relying on my own strength or rationalizations rather than God's power to overcome persistent sins or worldly influences?**
* **How does partial obedience in seemingly small areas of my life contribute to larger spiritual vulnerabilities or a diminished walk with God?**
* **What specific steps can I take to fully dispossess these "inhabitants" and claim the complete spiritual territory God has provided for me in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did Manasseh fail to drive out the inhabitants, despite God's clear command?**

Answer: Joshua 17:12 directly states that Manasseh "could not drive out the inhabitants," and [Joshua 17:16](/joshua/17-16 "Joshua 17:16 - Iron Chariots") reveals their complaint that the Canaanites possessed "chariots of iron." This suggests a combination of factors: a lack of faith in God's power to overcome superior military technology, a lack of resolve or courage, and possibly a desire for the economic benefits of coexisting with the Canaanites (e.g., forced labor, as seen in [Joshua 17:13](/joshua/17-13 "Joshua 17:13 - Manasseh Puts Canaanites to Forced Labor")). The broader biblical narrative indicates that the Israelites often failed to fully obey God's command to dispossess the Canaanites due to a wavering commitment to His covenant, leading to long-term spiritual and social consequences. Their failure was not due to God's inability to grant victory, but their own spiritual and moral weakness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 17:11 details a historical failure of the tribe of Manasseh to fully possess their earthly inheritance, it powerfully foreshadows the complete and ultimate victory achieved by Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills the divine mandate to dispossess spiritual enemies. The unconquered cities of Canaan represent the strongholds of sin, death, and the devil that humanity could not overcome on its own. Just as Manasseh struggled against iron chariots and fortified cities, humanity was powerless against the spiritual forces of darkness ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). However, Christ, the true Joshua, has definitively conquered these spiritual enemies through His death and resurrection, triumphing over principalities and powers on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He not only provides the inheritance of eternal life but also empowers believers through His Spirit to "drive out" the lingering effects of sin and worldly influence in their own lives ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Living by the Spirit")). Unlike Manasseh's partial obedience, Christ's obedience was perfect and complete, securing for His people a spiritual inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")), enabling them to live in true freedom and holiness, fully possessing the spiritual "land" He has provided.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 7:29

And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.

Judges 5:19

The kings came [and] fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

Judges 1:27

Neither did Manasseh drive out [the inhabitants of] Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

2 Kings 9:27

But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw [this], he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. [And they did so] at the going up to Gur, which [is] by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.

Joshua 12:23

The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;

1 Samuel 31:10

And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.

Psalms 83:10

[Which] perished at Endor: they became [as] dung for the earth.