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).
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.
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.
Joshua 17 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
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.