Joshua 17
This is the land that Manasseh’s tribe received. Manasseh was Joseph’s firstborn son. Manasseh’s firstborn son was Makir. He was the father of Gilead. Makir’s descendants were brave soldiers. Because of that, Moses had already given Gilead and Bashan to them, east of the Jordan River. 2 The other families of Manasseh received land on the west side of the Jordan. They were the descendants of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. They were all sons of Manasseh, and leaders of their clans.
3 Zelophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, had no sons. He had only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. 4 They went to see Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders. They said, ‘The Lord told Moses to give us part of the land. We must have land like the sons of other families.’ Joshua agreed and he gave land to them, like the other families. 5 That is why Manasseh’s tribe received ten parts of the land, as well as Gilead and Bashan on the east side of the Jordan. 6 The daughters of Manasseh received some land, as well as his sons. They gave the land of Gilead to the other families of Manasseh.
7 The border of Manasseh’s land went from Asher to Micmethath, east of Shechem. It went south to include En Tappuah. 8 Manasseh received the land near Tappuah, but the town of Tappuah belonged to the tribe of Ephraim. 9 The border of Manasseh’s land went down to Kanah valley and along its north side to the Mediterranean Sea. Some towns on the south of that valley belonged to Ephraim, but they were in Manasseh’s land. 10 Ephraim’s land was south of the river, and Manasseh’s land was to the north. Manasseh’s west border was the Mediterranean Sea. Asher’s land was on the north side of Manasseh’s land. Issachar’s land was on the east side. 11 Some towns that were in the lands of Issachar and Asher belonged to Manasseh. They were Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people who lived in Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo. They included the villages near those towns. 12 But the men of Manasseh could not chase out the people who lived in those cities. So the Canaanite people continued to live there. 13 When the Israelites became stronger, they made the Canaanites work for them as slaves. But they never completely chased the Canaanites out from those towns.
14 Joseph’s descendants asked Joshua, ‘Why have you given only one part of the land for us to live in? The Lord has blessed us with many children, so there are many people in our tribe.’
15 Joshua said to them, ‘Because there are so many of you, you may take more land. If the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, move into the forest that belongs to the Perizzites and the Rephaites. Cut down trees there to make a place to live.’
16 They replied, ‘The hill country is certainly not big enough for us. But the Canaanites who live in Beth Shan and its villages, and in the valley of Jezreel, have iron chariots.’
17 Joshua said to the men from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, ‘You have very many strong men who can fight. I will give you more land than the part that you have already received. 18 You may take the whole of the hill country as your land. You can cut down the trees of the forests and live there. It is true that the Canaanites are strong fighters and they have iron chariots. But you will be strong enough to chase them out.’
Joshua 17 Meaning
Joshua 17 is a passage that recounts the allocation of land to the tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The verses describe the inheritance that the tribe received and the challenges they faced in taking possession of it. It speaks of the need for the tribe to rise up, believe in the promises of God, and take action in order to fully possess their inheritance.
Joshua 17 Commentary and Explanation
In Joshua 17, we find the continuation of the allocation of land to the tribes of Israel as they settle in the Promised Land. In this chapter, we see the allocation of land to the tribe of Manasseh, specifically to the descendants of Joseph. This is a significant moment in the history of Israel as it marks another step towards fulfilling God’s promise to give them the land.
The chapter begins by describing the lot for Manasseh. It is important to note that Manasseh is one of the two tribes descended from Joseph, with the other being Ephraim. This allocation of land to the descendants of Joseph is in line with Jacob’s blessing of his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48, where he gives them an equal share of the inheritance. This demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs.
However, we encounter an issue in verse 3, where the daughters of Zelophehad approach Joshua. These women were brave and wise in seeking their inheritance, as their father had no sons. Joshua, guided by the Lord’s command, makes a just decision and grants them an inheritance among their tribe. This event underscores the importance of justice and the inclusion of all members of society, regardless of gender.
Verse 6 presents us with a situation where the tribe of Manasseh, despite receiving a significant portion of land, is dissatisfied. They complain about the perceived inadequacy of their inheritance and ask for more land. Joshua responds by reminding them that they are a numerous and mighty people and should clear the forested areas themselves to expand their territory. This reminds us of the principle of stewardship and taking responsibility for what God has given us.
Verse 14 shifts the focus to the tribe of Joseph, particularly the descendants of Ephraim. They also express their concern about the size of their inheritance and are given an opportunity to address it. Joshua suggests that they go up into the forested hill country and clear the land, which they do successfully. This demonstrates the importance of faith and effort in obtaining God’s blessings.
Overall, Joshua 17 highlights several key principles for us. It reminds us of the importance of justice, inclusion, and stewardship in our lives. It also encourages us to have faith and take action when faced with challenges, trusting in God’s guidance and provision. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, just as He did for the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, and how He continues to do so in our own lives.
Also Read: Judges 4:17-21 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Joshua 17
During the time of Joshua, the land of Canaan was being divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. This division was based on God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land. The allocation of land was carried out as a fulfillment of God’s covenant with the people of Israel.
The tribe of Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph, who was a prominent figure in the Old Testament. Their inheritance was in the central part of Canaan, on both sides of the Jordan River. The territory of Manasseh was rich in resources and had the potential to sustain a large population.
Bible Study on Joshua 17
The story of Manasseh reminds us that inheriting and possessing God’s promises requires active participation on our part. It is not enough to simply receive the promise; we must also take steps to claim it and overcome the obstacles that come our way.
Like the tribe of Manasseh, we may encounter challenges and difficulties in our journey towards our inheritance. But just as Joshua encouraged them to rise up and take action, God also encourages us to have faith, trust in His promises, and actively engage in the process of possessing what He has prepared for us.
It is important to remember that our inheritance in Christ is not limited to material blessings or earthly possessions. Our true inheritance is the salvation, grace, and eternal life that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. This inheritance is secured for us through His death and resurrection.
Final Thoughts
The tribe of Manasseh serves as an example for us today. We must be ready to face obstacles in our pursuit of God’s promises, but we should not become discouraged or settle for less than what God has promised. Instead, we should trust in His faithfulness, take action, and overcome the challenges that come our way.
Let us rise up with confidence and courage, knowing that if God is for us, no one can be against us (Romans 8:31). It is our responsibility to actively seek God, study His Word, and diligently pursue His promises. As we do so, we can be assured that He will guide us, strengthen us, and lead us into the fullness of His blessings and inheritance.