1 Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war.
2 allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh by their clans, for the people of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph, by their clans.
3 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4 They approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers.” So according to the mouth of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.
5 Thus there fell to Manasseh ten portions, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side of the Jordan,
6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh.
7 The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to Michmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the boundary goes along southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
8 The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but the town of Tappuah on the boundary of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim.
9 Then the boundary goes down to the brook Kanah. These cities to the south of the brook among the cities of Manasseh are the portion of Manasseh’s sons, and the boundary of Manasseh is on the north side of the brook and ends at the sea.
10 However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.
11 In Issachar and in Asher, Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Naphath.
12 Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.
13 Yet it did not drive out the people of Geshur and the people of Maacah, so the Geshurites and the Maacathites dwell among the Israelites to this day.
14 Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?”
15 And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”
16 Then the people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”
17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only,
18 but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”
The True Meaning of Joshua 17
The Book of Joshua, believed to have been written by Joshua himself, recounts the Israelites’ conquest and division of the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. We witness the continued allocation of land to the various tribes, with a particular focus on the tribe of Manasseh.
The author, Joshua, was a faithful servant of God, chosen to lead the Israelites into the land that the Lord had promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua, a skilled military commander and a man of unwavering faith, played a pivotal role in the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to the establishment of their new homeland. The ongoing process of dividing the land among the tribes in this chapter required wisdom, diplomacy, and a deep understanding of God’s plan for His people. The tribe of Manasseh, being the largest of the tribes, is granted a significant portion of the land, but they are also faced with the challenge of driving out the remaining Canaanite inhabitants, as commanded by the Lord in the book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).
Joshua 17:1-6
We can break down a few important sections in Joshua 17:1-6 for a more in-depth understanding.
Firstly, in verse 1, the allotment of land for the tribe of Manasseh is mentioned. The tribe of Manasseh was one of the tribes of Israel, descended from Manasseh, who was one of the sons of Joseph, the great-grandson of Abraham. It is crucial to remember that the division of land among the tribes of Israel was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham to give the land of Canaan to his descendants (Genesis 12:7). This distribution was part of the process of settling the Israelites in the Promised Land.
Moving on to verses 2-4, the daughters of Zelophehad come before Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders to ask for their inheritance, as their father had died and left no sons. This incident is a significant example of the fair and just principles laid out in the laws given by God to Moses. The Lord had commanded in Numbers 27:1-11 that if a man died and left no sons, his inheritance should pass to his daughters. This demonstrates God’s concern for justice and equality, even in matters of inheritance, where women in that time often faced discrimination.
Continuing to verse 5, the territory of Manasseh is described as including ten districts. Manasseh’s territory was significant because it was situated on both the east and west sides of the Jordan River. This land was quite extensive, providing ample space for the tribe to settle and prosper. The tribe of Manasseh had a rich history, including the story of how they received their portion of land east of the Jordan before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 32). The Manassites could not occupy certain towns mentioned in verse 6, and the Canaanites continued to live in those areas. This situation reflects the ongoing struggle the Israelites faced in completely driving out the inhabitants of the land, as God had commanded. The presence of Canaanites among the Israelites would later become a stumbling block, leading to idolatry and disobedience to God’s commands. Themes of inheritance, justice, and the ongoing challenges faced by the Israelites as they settle in the Promised Land are seen in these verses. It reinforces the importance of obeying God’s laws, seeking fairness and equity in society, and the consequences of not fully following God’s commands. These principles remain relevant today, reminding us of the significance of living in alignment with God’s will and seeking justice and righteousness in our actions.
Joshua 17:7-13
The Israelites are dividing the land among the various tribes in Joshua 17:7-13, and this passage specifically focuses on the allotment of land to the tribe of Manasseh. The descendants of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, were given their portion of land, with the borders determined by the leaders of the tribe. The land they received was within the territory of Issachar and Asher, and extended to the region of Dor in the west.
This division of land was significant as it fulfilled the promises that God had made to the Israelites, starting with Abraham in Genesis 12:7 when God first promised to give his descendants the land of Canaan. The allocation of land according to the tribe was crucial for maintaining order, inheritance, and providing a sense of belonging for each tribe. It showed the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and the importance of unity among the tribes of Israel.
The passage also mentions that the tribe of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of certain cities within their allotted land, such as Beth Shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo. This failure to fully possess the land allotted to them due to the presence of Canaanite inhabitants highlights the consequences of disobedience and the challenges the Israelites faced in fully claiming the land God had promised them. It serves as a reminder of the need for wholehearted obedience and trust in God’s promises in order to fully inherit His blessings.
The reference to the Canaanites still dwelling in the land is a recurring theme throughout the book of Joshua and the Old Testament. The presence of these pagan nations served as a test of the Israelites’ loyalty to God and their willingness to completely remove all traces of idolatry from the land. It underscores the importance of spiritual warfare and the need for the Israelites to remain faithful and obedient to God’s commands in order to fully possess the blessings He had in store for them. This passage in Joshua 17 emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and unity among God’s people. It demonstrates the significance of inheriting the promises of God through following His commands and trusting in His provision. We, as believers today, can draw parallels from this passage by understanding the need for obedience, perseverance, and reliance on God’s promises in order to fully experience His blessings in our lives.
Joshua 17:14-18
The passage in Joshua 17:14-18 narrates the ongoing distribution of land among the tribes of Israel. The section begins with the tribe of Joseph expressing concern about the size of the portion they were given and the strength of the Canaanites living in the land allotted to them. They voiced their belief that the hill country was not enough for them and that they needed the plains as well. This prompts Joshua to encourage them to go up to the forest and clear land for themselves in the territory of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.
This section highlights important themes such as faith, diligence, and perseverance. The tribe of Joseph’s request for more land reflects a lack of faith in God’s provision for them. Instead of trusting in God’s promise and providence, they focused on their own limitations and perceived inadequacies. Joshua’s response to them is a reminder that when faced with challenges or obstacles, it is crucial to exercise faith and take action. The instruction to clear the land themselves emphasizes the concept of diligence and hard work in claiming the blessings that God has in store for them. This teaches us that we should not passively wait for God to fulfill His promises but we also need to actively participate in the process.
An important aspect of this passage is the mention of the Perizzites and the Rephaim. The Perizzites were one of the groups living in Canaan before the Israelites’ arrival. They were often seen as a symbol of the enemies and challenges that the Israelites had to overcome in order to possess the Promised Land. The Rephaim, on the other hand, were a race of giants that dwelt in Canaan. Their intimidating stature often struck fear into the hearts of the Israelites, but this served as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness in delivering His people from seemingly insurmountable odds.
This story of the tribe of Joseph in seeking more land and Joshua’s response serves as a lesson for us today. It reminds us to trust in God’s promises even when circumstances seem challenging, to be diligent and proactive in pursuing His blessings, and to remain faithful in the face of adversity. It also illustrates the importance of relying on God’s strength rather than our own, for He is the one who goes before us and fights our battles on our behalf (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9). We can overcome any obstacle in our path and claim the blessings He has in store for us with faith, hard work, and reliance on God, as this passage ultimately teaches us.
After Joshua 17
The Israelites had now settled in the land of Canaan, but their work was far from over. The tribe of Manasseh had been granted a portion of the land, but they soon found that the Canaanites were still occupying some of the areas they had been given. This presented a challenge, as the Israelites were called to drive out the remaining inhabitants and claim the land that God had promised them. I, as the reverend, will now turn to the next chapter, where we will see how the Israelites responded to this situation. Would they heed God’s command and take possession of the land, or would they falter in their faith and allow the Canaanites to remain? The decisions they made in the days ahead would have lasting consequences, not only for their own people but for the generations to come.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.