Joshua 17

Jos 17:1-6.

LOT OF

MANASSEH.

1-6. There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh--Ephraim was

mentioned, as the more numerous and powerful branch of the family of

Joseph

(Ge 48:19, 20);

but Manasseh still retained the right of primogeniture and had a

separate inheritance assigned.

Machir--his descendants.

the father of Gilead--Though he had a son of that name

(Nu 26:29; 27:1),

yet, as is evident from the use of the Hebrew article, reference is

made, not to the person, but the province of Gilead. "Father" here

means lord or possessor of Gilead. This view is confirmed by the fact

that it was not Machir, but his descendants, who subdued Gilead and

Bashan

(Nu 32:41;

De 3:13-15).

These Machirites had their portion on the east side of Jordan. The

western portion of land, allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, was divided

into ten portions because the male descendants who had sons consisted

of five families, to which, consequently, five shares were given; and

the sixth family, namely, the posterity of Hepher, being all women, the

five daughters of Zelophehad were, on application to the valuators,

endowed each with an inheritance in land (see on

Nu 27:4).

Jos 17:7-11.

THIS

COAST.

7-11. the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah--The southern

boundary is here traced from the east. Asher (now Yasir), the starting

point, was a town fifteen Roman miles east of Shechem, and anciently a

place of importance.

9. the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the

river--The line which separated the possessions of the two brothers

from each other ran to the south of the stream. Thus the river was in

the territory of Manasseh; but the cities which were upon the river,

though all were within the limits of Manasseh's possessions, were

assigned partly to Ephraim, and partly to Manasseh; those on the south

side being given to the former; those upon the north to the latter

[KEIL].

It appears

(Jos 17:10)

that Manasseh was still further interlaced with other neighboring

tribes.

11. Beth-shean and her towns--Greek, "Scythopolis" (now Beisan),

in the valley of the Jordan, towards the east end of the plain of

Jezreel. "Beth-shean" means "house of rest," so called from its being

the halting place for caravans travelling between Syria or Midian, and

Egypt, and the great station for the commerce between these countries

for many centuries.

Ibleam and her towns--in the neighborhood of Megiddo

(2Ki 9:27).

the inhabitants of Dor and her towns--(now Tantoura), anciently a

strong fortress; a wall of wild precipitous rock defended the shore

fortifications against attack from the land side.

En-dor and her towns--situated on a rocky eminence, four Roman miles

south of Tabor.

Taanach and . . . Megiddo--These were near to each other, and they are

generally mentioned in Scripture together. They were both royal and

strongly fortified places

(see on

Jud 1:27).

three countries--districts or provinces. It is computed that Manasseh

possessed in Asher and Issachar portions of ground to the extent of

more than two hundred square miles.

Jos 17:12, 13.

CANAANITES

NOT

DRIVEN

OUT.

12, 13. Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out those

cities--probably due to indolence, a love of ease. Perhaps a mistaken

humanity, arising from a disregard or forgetfulness of the divine

command, and a decreasing principle of faith and zeal in the service of

God, were the causes of their failure.

Jos 17:14-18.

THE

CHILDREN OF

JOSEPH

ASK FOR

ANOTHER

LOT.

14-18. the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua--The two tribes join in

laying a complaint before the leader, as to the narrow boundaries of

their allotment and its insufficiency to be the residence of tribes so

vastly increased. But Joshua's answer was full of wisdom as well as

patriotism. Knowing their character, he treated them accordingly, and

sarcastically turned all their arguments against themselves. Thus he

rebuked their unbelief and cowardice.

15. mount Ephraim--called so here by anticipation. The Gilboa range

between Beth-shean and the plain of Jezreel is meant, anciently covered

with an extensive forest.

16. chariots of iron--unusually strengthened with that metal, and

perhaps armed with projecting scythes.