17:1 This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Josephs firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manassehs firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers.
17:2 So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manassehthe clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans.
17:3 Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.
17:4 They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives. So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lords command.
17:5 Manassehs share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan,
17:6 because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh.
17:7 The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Mikmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah.
17:8 (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.)
17:9 Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea.
17:10 On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the Mediterranean Sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
17:11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth).
17:12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.
17:13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.
17:14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.
17:15 If you are so numerous, Joshua answered, and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.
17:16 The people of Joseph replied, The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.
17:17 But Joshua said to the tribes of Josephto Ephraim and ManassehYou are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment
17:18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.
Summary; The tribe of Manasseh, the firstborn of Joseph, and their inheritance and lot of land; Zelophehad, who came out of Machir, who was the son of Manasseh, had daughters who Moses promised would receive an inheritance as the sons do. They came before Joshua to claim the land, which God promised them. Manasseh and Ephraim had their lands, but they were unable to fully drive out the inhabitants of every city.
Closing Prayer; Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the truths that it contains. Thank You that You show Yourself to be the all-powerful God Who hears and answers our prayers. We praise You that You hold earth in the hollow of Your hand and set the sun, moon, and stars in their heavenly courses, for signs and seasons and days and nights. May we keep our eyes looking to You, Whom to know is life eternal. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Prayer of Salvation: Which is how you ask to become a child of Our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Contact Information:
You can reach us through email: raynettekweissministries@yahoo.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/raynettekweissministries
Phone: 202-603-1821