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Commentary on Joshua 17 verses 7–13
We have here a short account of the lot of this half tribe. It reached from Jordan on the east to the great sea on the west; on the south it lay all along contiguous to Ephraim, but on the north it abutted upon Asher and Issachar. Asher lay north-west, and Issachar north-east, which seems to be the meaning of that (Jos 17:10), that they (that is, Manasseh and Ephraim, as related to it, both together making the tribe of Joseph) met in Asher on the north and Issachar on the east, for Ephraim itself reached not those tribes. Some things are particularly observed concerning this lot: - 1. That there was great communication between this tribe and that of Ephraim. The city of Tappuah belonged to Ephraim, but the country adjoining to Manasseh (Jos 17:8); there were likewise many cities of Ephraim that lay within the border of Manasseh (Jos 17:9), of which before, Jos 16:9. 2. That Manasseh likewise had cities with their appurtenances in the tribes of Issachar and Asher (Jos 17:11), God so ordering it, that though every tribe had its peculiar inheritance, which might not be alienated from it, yet they should thus intermix one with another, to keep up mutual acquaintance and correspondence among the tribes, and to give occasion for the doing of good offices one to another, as became those who, though of different tribes, were all one Israel, and were bound to love as brethren. 3. That they suffered the Canaanites to live among them, contrary to the command of God, serving their own ends by conniving at them, for they made them tributaries, Jos 17:12, Jos 17:13. The Ephraimites had done the same (Jos 16:10), and from them perhaps the Manassites learned it, and with their example excused themselves in it. The most remarkable person of this half tribe in after-time was Gideon, whose great actions were done within this lot. He was of the family of Abiezer; Cesarea was in this lot, and Antipatris, famed in the latter ages of the Jewish state.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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, 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) 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.
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
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 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). 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). 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). 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). 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), enabling them to live in true freedom and holiness, fully possessing the spiritual "land" He has provided.