Joshua 17:6

KJV

Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because the daughters {H1323} of Manasseh {H4519} had {H5157} an inheritance {H5159} among {H8432} his sons {H1121}: and the rest {H3498} of Manasseh's {H4519} sons {H1121} had the land {H776} of Gilead {H1568}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because the daughters of M'nasheh had an inheritance along with his descendants; but the land of Gil'ad belonged to the rest of the descendants of M'nasheh.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged unto the rest of the sons of Manasseh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 17:6 details the unique land inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh, highlighting two distinct aspects of its territorial distribution within the Promised Land. Firstly, it affirms the special provision for the daughters of Manasseh, specifically those of Zelophehad, who were granted an inheritance among the sons, establishing a significant legal precedent for female inheritance in Israel. Secondly, it clarifies that the remaining sons of Manasseh received the fertile region of Gilead, located on the east side of the Jordan River, thereby accounting for Manasseh's unusual division into two half-tribes with territories on both sides of the Jordan. This verse underscores God's meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises regarding the land and His divine justice in matters of inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 17:6 is situated within the broader narrative of the land distribution among the Israelite tribes following the conquest of Canaan, specifically within the detailed account of Manasseh's inheritance in [Joshua 17](/joshua/17 "Joshua 17 - The Inheritance of Manasseh"). The preceding verses, [Joshua 17:1-2](/joshua/17-1 "Joshua 17:1-2 - Manasseh's Clans and Inheritance"), introduce the clans of Manasseh and their initial allocation. Crucially, [Joshua 17:3-5](/joshua/17-3 "Joshua 17:3-5 - Zelophehad's Daughters' Petition") recounts the petition of Zelophehad's daughters for an inheritance, building upon the divine ruling established earlier in [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - The Law of Inheritance for Daughters") and further elaborated in [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - The Marriage of Heiresses"). Verse 6, therefore, serves as a concise summary statement, confirming the implementation of these unique provisions for Manasseh's descendants, both west and east of the Jordan, solidifying the legal and geographical reality of their inheritance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of land was a foundational act for the newly settled Israelite nation, fulfilling God's ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In ancient Near Eastern societies, land ownership was predominantly patriarchal, with inheritance typically passing exclusively through male heirs. The case of Zelophehad's daughters, therefore, represents a radical and progressive legal innovation, divinely ordained, that challenged conventional norms to ensure family lines did not lose their ancestral portions due to a lack of male descendants. The mention of Gilead refers to the Transjordanian territory, which was settled by the half-tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh prior to the main conquest of Canaan, as documented in [Numbers 32](/numbers/32 "Numbers 32 - Settlement of the Transjordanian Tribes"). This pre-emptive settlement necessitated the clear distinction of Manasseh's inheritance on both sides of the Jordan, reflecting a complex but divinely guided distribution strategy.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the broader context of Manasseh's inheritance, highlights several profound themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Justice and Equity**, demonstrating God's meticulous care for fairness and His willingness to transcend human legal precedents to ensure justice for all, even the vulnerable, as seen in the case of Zelophehad's daughters. This progressive legal framework ensured that no family lineage would be dispossessed of their tribal land. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Fulfillment of God's Promises**. The detailed and precise land distribution, including these specific provisions, is a tangible manifestation of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan, first articulated in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). Finally, the passage emphasizes the **Importance of Inheritance** in ancient Israel. Land was not merely property; it was intrinsically linked to tribal identity, economic stability, and the perpetuation of the covenant relationship with God. The meticulous division ensured each family received its designated portion, securing their place within the covenant community and their physical connection to the Promised Land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălāh'_):** This term, derived from the root meaning "to inherit" or "to possess," signifies much more than mere property. In a biblical context, _naḥălāh_ refers to a permanent possession, a heritage, or an allotted portion, often specifically land, that is passed down through generations. It carries the profound weight of a divine gift and a familial legacy, emphasizing the covenantal aspect of Israel's relationship with the land. It implies a secure, divinely sanctioned holding, not merely a temporary occupancy.
* **Gilead (Hebrew, _Gil‘āḏ'_):** This is a specific geographical name referring to a mountainous, fertile region located east of the Jordan River. Its mention here serves as a precise geographical marker, clearly distinguishing the Transjordanian portion of Manasseh's territory from the Cisjordanian (western) portion within Canaan proper. The inclusion of Gilead highlights the unique dual nature of Manasseh's inheritance, divided by the Jordan River.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons:"** This clause explains the primary reason for the specific mention of Manasseh's land distribution. It directly references the landmark legal decision regarding Zelophehad's daughters, who, despite lacking male siblings, were granted the right to inherit their father's portion of land among the male heirs of the tribe. This was a direct divine command given through Moses, ensuring that family lines would not be extinguished from their rightful tribal land due to the absence of sons. It underscores God's concern for equity and His provision for the vulnerable within the covenant community.
* **"and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead."** This second clause clarifies the other significant aspect of Manasseh's inheritance. It refers to the half-tribe of Manasseh that, along with Reuben and Gad, chose to settle on the east side of the Jordan River before the main conquest of Canaan. Gilead, known for its rich pastures, became their designated territory. This statement confirms the established reality of Manasseh's dual inheritance, with one half-tribe settled in Transjordan and the other half-tribe receiving land in Cisjordan (west of the Jordan), as detailed in the preceding verses.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 17:6 primarily functions as a concise statement within a larger **Historical Narrative** that records the fulfillment of God's promises through the division of the land. It acts as a **Summary Statement**, encapsulating complex legal and geographical arrangements into a single, declarative sentence. The verse also employs **Geographical Specificity** by naming "Gilead," which grounds the narrative in a concrete, identifiable location and highlights the unique bisection of Manasseh's tribal territory. Furthermore, it implicitly relies on **Legal Precedent**, referencing the earlier divine ruling concerning Zelophehad's daughters without explicitly re-stating the entire legal case, assuming the reader's knowledge of the events in Numbers. This succinctness serves to confirm the successful implementation of these divine decrees.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 17:6, though seemingly a simple administrative detail, is rich with theological significance. It powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, specifically the promise of land to Abraham and his descendants. The meticulous and equitable distribution, even to the extent of creating new legal precedents for female inheritance, underscores God's character as a God of justice who cares for the vulnerable and ensures that no one within His covenant community is dispossessed of their rightful inheritance. This divine attention to detail in securing each family's portion of the land reflects a deeper theological truth: God's commitment to the well-being and flourishing of His people, providing for their physical and spiritual needs within the promised inheritance.

* [Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "God's Ruling on Zelophehad's Daughters' Inheritance")
* [Numbers 36:2](/numbers/36-2 "The Chiefs of Gilead Confirm the Inheritance")
* [Joshua 17:3-5](/joshua/17-3 "Zelophehad's Daughters' Petition")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 17:6 invites us to reflect on the meticulous care and divine justice of God in our own lives. Just as God ensured every family, even those with unique circumstances like Zelophehad's daughters, received their rightful inheritance, we can trust in His comprehensive provision and concern for the details of our existence. This passage reminds us that God is not bound by human conventions when it comes to upholding justice and fulfilling His promises. It challenges us to advocate for those whose needs or rights might be overlooked by conventional systems, just as God intervened for the daughters of Manasseh. Furthermore, the secure and lasting nature of the land inheritance points to the enduring faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, encouraging us to rest in His unshakeable word concerning our spiritual inheritance in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's attention to the details of land distribution in Joshua 17:6 encourage your trust in His care for the specifics of your own life?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, emulate God's concern for justice and advocacy for the vulnerable, as exemplified by the case of Zelophehad's daughters?**
* **What does the fulfillment of God's land promises to Israel teach us about the certainty of His spiritual promises to believers today?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so significant for the daughters of Manasseh to receive an inheritance among his sons?**

Answer: This was highly significant because, in most ancient Near Eastern cultures, including early Israelite custom, inheritance typically passed exclusively through male heirs. If a man died without sons, his family line risked losing its ancestral land portion, which was tied to their identity, economic stability, and covenant standing. The case of Zelophehad's daughters, detailed in [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "The Law of Inheritance for Daughters"), presented a unique legal challenge. God, through Moses, intervened directly, establishing a new legal precedent that allowed daughters to inherit in the absence of sons, provided they married within their own tribe to prevent the land from passing to another tribal lineage ([Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "The Marriage of Heiresses")). This divine ruling showcased God's radical justice, His care for the vulnerable, and His commitment to ensuring that every family within Israel maintained its rightful place and inheritance in the Promised Land. Joshua 17:6 confirms the implementation of this progressive and divinely ordained law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 17:6, with its focus on the meticulous distribution of land and the divine provision for inheritance, points powerfully to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the source of our eternal inheritance. The physical land of Canaan, though a tangible expression of God's faithfulness to Israel, was always a type and shadow of a greater, spiritual reality. In Christ, believers receive an inheritance far surpassing any earthly territory—an "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). Just as God ensured the daughters of Manasseh received their portion, demonstrating His radical inclusivity and justice, so too does Christ break down all barriers of gender, ethnicity, and social status, granting all who believe in Him full access to the "glorious inheritance" ([Ephesians 1:18](/ephesians/1-18 "Ephesians 1:18 - The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance")) of the saints. He is not merely the one who grants the inheritance, but He himself is our inheritance, our portion, and our exceeding great reward ([Psalm 16:5](/psalm/16-5 "Psalm 16:5 - The Lord is My Portion"); [Colossians 3:24](/colossians/3-24 "Colossians 3:24 - The Inheritance is from the Lord")). Through His sacrifice, He has secured for us a place in the heavenly kingdom, ensuring that no one who trusts in Him will be dispossessed of their eternal hope and dwelling with God ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")).

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.