Joshua 17 explained: Manasseh's Land and Five Sisters

Manasseh's two halves (vv. 1-2)

Manasseh was one of two tribes descended from Joseph, and one branch, the family of Makir, had already settled east of the Jordan River because they were known as strong fighters. This chapter deals with the remaining clans, who settled west of the river.

Five daughters claim land (vv. 3-6)

Land normally passed through sons, but Zelophehad had only daughters, and they had earlier won a ruling from Moses that they could inherit (Numbers 27). They now hold the leaders to that ruling and receive their share, which likely explains the ten portions: five for the brothers' clans and five for the sisters.

Drawing the borders (vv. 7-11)

Manasseh's land ran west to the Mediterranean, with Ephraim to the south, Asher to the north and Issachar to the east, and some Ephraimite towns sat inside Manasseh's border. Manasseh was also given fortified cities such as Megiddo and Beth Shan within neighboring tribes' land, though the closing words of verse 11 are unclear in the original Hebrew and translations render them differently.

Canaanites stay on (vv. 12-13)

The text says plainly that Manasseh could not take these cities, and once Israel grew stronger it forced the Canaanites into labor instead of driving them out. The book presents this as falling short of what it says God commanded, a pattern that comes up again in Judges.

Joseph asks for more (vv. 14-18)

The Joseph tribes say they are too many for one share and fear the Canaanites' chariots fitted with iron on the plains. Joshua, himself from Ephraim, turns their words back on them: if they are so numerous and strong, they can clear the forested hills and take the land themselves.

Key verse: Joshua 17:4

Something to think about

When have you had to speak up for something the usual rules seemed to leave you out of, and what made it possible to do so?