Joshua 17:1-18
Q.1. Why was Manasseh given a double portion of land? What made the land distribution west of the Jordan unusual? – (Josh.17:1-6 c.f. Num.27:1-7)
Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph, whom Jacob claimed as his own (Josh.17:1 c.f. Gen.48:5,14). Manasseh had been granted two portions of land as the firstborn. One was east of the Jordan, and the other portion was in the Promised Land (Josh.13:7,29-32). The territory was generally given to the males of the tribe – However, Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, only daughters; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They came near before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the leaders, saying, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So according to the command of the Lord, he gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers (Josh.17:3-4 c.f. Job 42:13-15). Zelophehad’s misfortune did not affect his family or descendants. What grace.
Q.2. How did the borders of Manasseh relate to the other tribes in the Promised Land? What did Manasseh do when they could not remove the Canaanites? – (Josh.17:7-13)
Manasseh was flanked by the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Issachar in the north, Gad on the east, and Dan, Ephraim, and Benjamin on the south. The tribe of Ephraim was nestled largely within Manasseh’s land – the brothers stayed closely related. However, Manasseh – 12 … could not take possession of these cities, because the Canaanites persisted in living in that land. 13 It came about when the sons of Israel became strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labour, but they did not drive them out completely (Josh.17:12-13). This compromise would lead to Manasseh’s (Northern Israel’s) downfall.
Q.3. Why did Manasseh seek more land? How did Joshua challenge the tribe? With what promise did he settle their dispute? – (Josh.17:14-18)
Manasseh’s firstborn, Machir was a mighty leader, and – … he was a man of war (Josh.17:1). Ephraim and Manasseh had multiplied significantly and had conquered much of the land east of the Jordan. The two tribes of Joseph who settled in the Promised Land complained to Joshua – … Why have you given me only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people whom the Lord has thus far blessed? (Josh.17:14). Therefore, Joshua gave them the forest land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim to clear (Josh.17:15). The tribes responded that these Canaanites had iron chariots (Josh.17:16). However, Joshua challenged – 17 … Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, “You are a numerous people and have great power; you shall not have one lot only, 18 but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong.” (Josh.17:17-18). Of all the tribes, the sons of Joseph were the best placed to conquer this hostile terrain. Joshua predicted that they would prevail.