Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war.
2So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph.
3But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.
9From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah. There were cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea.
10Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
11Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphath), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements.
14Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”
15Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.”
16“The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.”
18because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.”
Joshua 17 completes the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, focusing on the inheritance of Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph. This chapter demonstrates both God's faithfulness to His word and the incomplete obedience of His people. While Manasseh receives a generous allotment of land, the tribe fails to fully dispossess the Canaanites from their territory. The chapter also highlights a remarkable example of faith and advocacy when the daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Joshua and Eleazar for their rightful inheritance, establishing an important biblical precedent for women's property rights.
As the firstborn of Joseph, Manasseh receives a significant inheritance. Verse 1 notes that Machir, Manasseh's firstborn, was "a man of war" and thus received Gilead and Bashan on the eastern side of the Jordan—lands conquered through military strength. Verses 2–3 list the family clans entitled to share the western portion of the inheritance, and then introduce Zelophehad, who has no sons, only five daughters. This situation creates a legal issue: under normal tribal law, daughters did not inherit land.
Verses 4–6 show the daughters approaching Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal leaders with a bold appeal: "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren." They reference the earlier judgment recorded in Numbers 27, where God commanded Moses to grant women inheritance rights when there were no male heirs. Joshua honors their request without hesitation. This demonstrates that true justice flows from God's character, and that His Word, once spoken, supersedes cultural convention. The daughters receive their inheritance "among the brethren of their father"—a landmark decision affirming women's dignity and legal standing in Israel.
These verses detail Manasseh's territorial boundaries with considerable geographical precision. The tribe's land stretched from Asher to Michmethah (v. 7), with mixed ownership arrangements regarding Tappuah and the river Kanah (vv. 8–9). Notably, Ephraim's and Manasseh's territories intermingled, with the sea forming Manasseh's western border. Verse 11 lists important cities within Manasseh's portion: Bethshean, Ibleam, Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo—strategically significant locations controlling trade routes and valleys.
A sobering reality emerges: Manasseh "could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land" (v. 12). However, verse 13 records a partial remedy—when Israel grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor rather than complete expulsion. This pattern of incomplete obedience would eventually become a spiritual liability, as these remaining pockets of idolatry would continually tempt Israel toward compromise with false gods (see Judges 1:27–28).
Ephraim and Manasseh (the "children of Joseph") complain that their single lot is insufficient for a great people (v. 14). Joshua's response is both encouraging and challenging: they are indeed blessed and powerful (v. 17), but their inheritance includes responsibility. Rather than give them more land, he directs them to conquer the forested highlands themselves (vv. 15, 18). Though the Canaanites possess iron chariots and seem formidable, Joshua assures them they have the strength to prevail. This teaches that blessing includes responsibility—God grants inheritance, but conquest requires faith and effort.
Application for Today
Like Manasseh, we receive our spiritual inheritance in Christ—"every spiritual blessing in heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). Yet like them, we face ongoing struggles with "Canaanites" in our hearts: compromise, pride, and unfaithful living. Joshua's challenge reminds us that possessing our inheritance requires active faith and obedience. We must not settle for partial victory over sin but press forward in God's strength, trusting His promises even when obstacles seem insurmountable.
Study Notes — Joshua 17
5 sectionsJoshua 17 completes the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, focusing on the inheritance of Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph. This chapter demonstrates both God's faithfulness to His word and the incomplete obedience of His people. While Manasseh receives a generous allotment of land, the tribe fails to fully dispossess the Canaanites from their territory. The chapter also highlights a remarkable example of faith and advocacy when the daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Joshua and Eleazar for their rightful inheritance, establishing an important biblical precedent for women's property rights.
As the firstborn of Joseph, Manasseh receives a significant inheritance. Verse 1 notes that Machir, Manasseh's firstborn, was "a man of war" and thus received Gilead and Bashan on the eastern side of the Jordan—lands conquered through military strength. Verses 2–3 list the family clans entitled to share the western portion of the inheritance, and then introduce Zelophehad, who has no sons, only five daughters. This situation creates a legal issue: under normal tribal law, daughters did not inherit land.
Verses 4–6 show the daughters approaching Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal leaders with a bold appeal: "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren." They reference the earlier judgment recorded in Numbers 27, where God commanded Moses to grant women inheritance rights when there were no male heirs. Joshua honors their request without hesitation. This demonstrates that true justice flows from God's character, and that His Word, once spoken, supersedes cultural convention. The daughters receive their inheritance "among the brethren of their father"—a landmark decision affirming women's dignity and legal standing in Israel.
These verses detail Manasseh's territorial boundaries with considerable geographical precision. The tribe's land stretched from Asher to Michmethah (v. 7), with mixed ownership arrangements regarding Tappuah and the river Kanah (vv. 8–9). Notably, Ephraim's and Manasseh's territories intermingled, with the sea forming Manasseh's western border. Verse 11 lists important cities within Manasseh's portion: Bethshean, Ibleam, Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo—strategically significant locations controlling trade routes and valleys.
A sobering reality emerges: Manasseh "could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land" (v. 12). However, verse 13 records a partial remedy—when Israel grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor rather than complete expulsion. This pattern of incomplete obedience would eventually become a spiritual liability, as these remaining pockets of idolatry would continually tempt Israel toward compromise with false gods (see Judges 1:27–28).
Ephraim and Manasseh (the "children of Joseph") complain that their single lot is insufficient for a great people (v. 14). Joshua's response is both encouraging and challenging: they are indeed blessed and powerful (v. 17), but their inheritance includes responsibility. Rather than give them more land, he directs them to conquer the forested highlands themselves (vv. 15, 18). Though the Canaanites possess iron chariots and seem formidable, Joshua assures them they have the strength to prevail. This teaches that blessing includes responsibility—God grants inheritance, but conquest requires faith and effort.
Like Manasseh, we receive our spiritual inheritance in Christ—"every spiritual blessing in heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). Yet like them, we face ongoing struggles with "Canaanites" in our hearts: compromise, pride, and unfaithful living. Joshua's challenge reminds us that possessing our inheritance requires active faith and obedience. We must not settle for partial victory over sin but press forward in God's strength, trusting His promises even when obstacles seem insurmountable.