Joshua 17:7

KJV

¶ And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that [lieth] before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the coast {H1366} of Manasseh {H4519} was from Asher {H836} to Michmethah {H4366}, that lieth before {H6440} Shechem {H7927}; and the border {H1366} went along {H1980} on the right hand {H3225} unto the inhabitants {H3427} of Entappuah {H5887}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The border of M'nasheh began at Asher and went to Mikhm'tat, which is across from Sh'khem; next the border went along to the right, to the people of 'Ein-Tapuach.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the border of Manasseh went from Asher to Michmethath near Shechem, then southward to include the inhabitants of En-tappuah.

American Standard Version

And the border of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which is before Shechem; and the border went along to the right hand, unto the inhabitants of En-tappuah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 17:7 meticulously delineates a segment of the northern boundary for the western half-tribe of Manasseh, west of the Jordan River. This verse is part of the larger narrative in the book of Joshua that details the precise allocation of the promised land among the Israelite tribes. It underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants by providing them with a specific, divinely ordained inheritance, marked by identifiable geographical landmarks like Michmethah, Shechem, and Entappuah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 17:7 is situated within the extensive section of the book of Joshua (chapters 13-19) dedicated to the division of the conquered land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel. Following the initial military campaigns and significant victories, this section shifts focus from conquest to settlement, emphasizing the orderly and meticulous distribution of territory. This particular verse contributes to the detailed description of the inheritance granted to the half-tribe of Manasseh, specifically its western portion. The precision of these boundary descriptions highlights the legal and theological significance of each tribe's allotted inheritance, ensuring clarity and preventing future disputes while affirming the divine hand in the process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division of land was a foundational act for the nascent nation of Israel, transforming them from nomadic wanderers into a settled people with a defined territory. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, land ownership was intrinsically linked to identity, livelihood, and covenant fidelity. The meticulous surveying and demarcation of boundaries, often using natural landmarks or established towns, were crucial for legal recognition and tribal autonomy. The mention of Shechem in this verse is particularly significant, as it was an ancient and strategically important city in the central hill country, serving as a key reference point. It held deep historical and spiritual meaning for Israel, having been the site of Abraham's first altar in Canaan ([Genesis 12:6](/genesis/12-6 "Abraham's Arrival at Shechem")) and later, a place where Joshua gathered all Israel to renew their covenant with God ([Joshua 24:1](/joshua/24-1 "Covenant Renewal at Shechem")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse, along with the broader land division narratives, powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, it showcases **Divine Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing to fruition His ancient promises to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The detailed boundaries underscore that this was not a chaotic grab for territory but an **Ordered Possession** according to God's precise plan. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Inheritance** (Hebrew: _nachalah_), which was not merely geographical but also theological, representing God's blessing and the tangible expression of His covenant with His people. Each tribe's specific portion established its **Tribal Identity** and responsibility within the larger national framework of Israel, emphasizing the importance of distinct boundaries for communal order and individual belonging.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Coast (Hebrew, גְּבוּל, _gevul_):** The King James Version's translation of "coast" here can be misleading to modern readers, as it typically implies a shoreline. However, the Hebrew word _gevul_ (also translated as "border" later in the same verse) primarily means "boundary," "limit," or "territory." Its usage throughout the land division accounts emphasizes the precise, defined lines of demarcation for tribal territories, highlighting the legal and divinely ordained nature of these boundaries rather than a geographical feature like a sea coast.
* **Michmethah (Hebrew, מִכְמְתָת, _Mikmethath_):** This specific place name serves as a crucial geographical marker for the Manasseh boundary. While its exact location is debated by scholars, it is consistently mentioned in conjunction with Shechem, indicating its importance as a fixed point in the landscape for defining the tribal inheritance. Its inclusion underscores the meticulous detail with which these boundaries were surveyed and recorded.
* **Shechem (Hebrew, שְׁכֶם, _Shechem_):** A city of immense historical and spiritual significance in the central hill country. Its mention here anchors the boundary description to a well-known and pivotal landmark. Shechem was a place of early patriarchal activity, covenant renewal, and later, a significant administrative center. Its presence in the boundary description not only provides a clear geographical reference but also imbues the physical territory with rich historical and theological associations for the Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah":** This clause initiates the description of the northern boundary of the western half-tribe of Manasseh. It specifies the starting point (implied to be in the west, extending eastward) and a key landmark, Michmethah, which defines a segment of this border. The use of "coast" (meaning boundary) immediately establishes the focus on territorial limits.
* **"that [lieth] before Shechem;":** This sub-clause serves to further pinpoint the location of Michmethah, placing it in relation to the prominent city of Shechem. By referencing Shechem, the text provides a clearer geographical orientation for the boundary, making the description more concrete and understandable to its original audience who would have known the region.
* **"and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.":** This continues the trajectory of the boundary. "On the right hand" typically refers to the south when facing east, or the east when facing north, suggesting a turn or continuation of the border in a specific direction. Entappuah, another specific place, marks the end of this particular segment of the boundary, further illustrating the precise and detailed nature of the land allocation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 17:7, and indeed throughout the land division chapters, is **Topographical Description**. The text meticulously details geographical features, towns, and directions to delineate precise boundaries. This serves not only as a factual record but also as a testament to the divine order and specificity with which God fulfilled His promises. Coupled with this is the use of **Legal Language**, evident in the exactitude of the boundary markers and the repeated use of terms like "coast" and "border." This precision lends an authoritative and binding quality to the descriptions, emphasizing the permanence and divine sanction of these tribal inheritances. The naming of specific, often obscure, locations like Michmethah and Entappuah, alongside well-known ones like Shechem, contributes to the verisimilitude and serves to authenticate the historical reality of the land distribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 17:7, though seemingly a dry geographical description, is deeply theological. It serves as a tangible testament to God's absolute faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises made centuries earlier to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The meticulous detail of the boundaries underscores that God's promises are not vague but precise, meticulously executed, and entirely reliable. This divinely ordered possession of the land was foundational to Israel's identity as God's chosen people, establishing their home and their place within His redemptive plan. It also highlights the importance of boundaries—physical, moral, and spiritual—as God is a God of order, not chaos, and His established limits bring blessing and security. This concept of a promised inheritance, meticulously defined and faithfully delivered, foreshadows the greater spiritual inheritance awaiting believers in Christ.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Deuteronomy 19:14](/deuteronomy/19-14 "Warning Against Moving Boundary Stones")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalms/78-55 "God's Allotment of Land to Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed land descriptions in Joshua 17:7 invite us to reflect on the nature of God's faithfulness and His meticulous care for His people. Just as He precisely fulfilled His ancient promise to Israel, providing them with a specific, measurable inheritance, so too can we trust in His unwavering commitment to His promises in our lives. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order and precision; He establishes boundaries—whether physical, moral, or spiritual—for our good, to bring stability, security, and blessing. Understanding and respecting these divine boundaries, whether in our relationships, our finances, or our spiritual walk, is crucial for living in alignment with His will. Furthermore, for the believer, this physical inheritance foreshadows a far greater spiritual inheritance in Christ, encouraging us to diligently seek and claim the spiritual blessings and promises that are ours through faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of the land division in Joshua 17:7 speak to God's character and His approach to fulfilling His promises?**
* **In what ways does God establish "boundaries" in our lives today (e.g., moral principles, spiritual disciplines, relational limits), and how does respecting them lead to blessing?**
* **How does understanding Israel's physical inheritance help us to appreciate and "claim" our spiritual inheritance in Christ, as described in the New Testament?**

### FAQ
**Why is so much detail given to land boundaries in the book of Joshua?**

Answer: The extensive detail given to land boundaries in Joshua, as seen in Joshua 17:7, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the **divine fulfillment** of God's ancient promises to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The meticulous descriptions prove that this was not a vague promise but a tangible, precisely delivered inheritance. Secondly, it established **legal ownership** and tribal identity, preventing future disputes among the tribes by clearly defining their territories. This was vital for the social and political stability of the new nation. Thirdly, it highlights God's **orderly nature**; He is not a God of confusion but of precision and structure, ensuring that each tribe received its designated portion according to His sovereign plan.

**What is the significance of Shechem being mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The mention of Shechem in Joshua 17:7 is highly significant because Shechem was not just another town; it was a place of profound historical and spiritual importance for Israel. It was the first place Abraham built an altar upon entering Canaan ([Genesis 12:6](/genesis/12-6 "Abraham's Arrival at Shechem")), and centuries later, it was where Joshua gathered all Israel to renew their covenant with God before his death ([Joshua 24:1](/joshua/24-1 "Covenant Renewal at Shechem")). By referencing Shechem, the boundary description is anchored to a well-known, central, and sacred landmark. This connection imbues the physical land inheritance with a deeper theological meaning, linking the possession of the territory directly to Israel's covenant history and their ongoing relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 17:7 describes a physical land inheritance, its deeper theological resonance finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous division of Canaan among the tribes foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive through Christ, which is far greater and eternal. Just as God faithfully delivered on His promise of a land to Israel, He has, through Jesus, provided a spiritual inheritance that transcends geographical boundaries and tribal affiliations. We, who are in Christ, become co-heirs with Him, receiving "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "Our Incorruptible Inheritance")). Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant, through which we receive the promise of an eternal inheritance ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Christ as Mediator of the New Covenant and Eternal Inheritance")). Our true "promised land" is not a physical territory but the kingdom of God, and our belonging is not defined by tribal lines but by our adoption as sons and daughters through faith in Christ ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs According to the Promise")). In Him, all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), including the ultimate fulfillment of the inheritance promised to Abraham's spiritual descendants, which is eternal life and a place in God's eternal dwelling.

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

Joshua 21:21

For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, [to be] a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,

Genesis 34:2

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.

1 Chronicles 6:67

And they gave unto them, [of] the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; [they gave] also Gezer with her suburbs,

Joshua 16:6

And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;

Joshua 16:8

The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.

Genesis 37:14

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Judges 9:1

¶ And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,