Joshua 17

The inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh on this side Jordan , ver. 1 , etc. An inheritance is given unto the five daughters of Zelaphead , at their request . 3 The border of Manasseh is more particularly related ; 7 by whom the Caananites that were not driven out , are made tributary . 12 When the children of Joseph complained that their border was too narrow , 14 Josua sheweth them a way how to enlarge the same , 15 Which they are not pleased with . 16 But Josua promised them the subduing of the Caananites.

1. The tribe of Manasseh had likewise a lot , for being Josephs first-born : ( to wit ) Machir the first-born of Manasseh the father of Gilead , because he was a man of war , [Implying , that Machir having by his valour subdued the land of Basan , obtained a double portion ; the same likewise appertained to him , as to the first-born , Deuteronomy 21:17.] therefore he had Gilead and Basan .

2. Also the rest of the children of Manasseh [Understand this of those that had received no inheritance on the other side of Jordan] had ( a lot ) according to their families , ( to wit ) the children of Abiezer , and the children of Helek , and the children of Asriel , and the children of Sechem , and the children of Hepher , and the children of Semida : These are the male-children of Manasseh the son of Joseph , according to their families . [i.e. which were heads of the generations and families that descended from them , and bare the name .]

3. Now Zelaphead the son of Hepher , the son of Gilead , the son of Machir , had no sons but daughters : and these are the names of his daughters , Machla , and Noa , Hogla , Milcha , and Tirza .

4. These then drew near before the face of Eleazer the Priest , and before the face of Josua the son of Nun , and before the face of the Princes , saying , The LORD commanded Moseh to give us an inheritance in the midst of our brethren : Therefore he gave them , according to the mouth of the LORD , an inheritance in the midst of the brethren of their fathers .

5. And there fell to Manasseh ten lines , [i.e. ten pieces of ground , for they were wont to measure out , and divide land with cords or lines . And observe here , that the five brethren which are named v.2. had five lots , but the sixth lot for Zelaphead the son of Hepher , fell to his five daughters , because he left no son : this together maketh the ten lines , or ten parts] besides the land of Gilead and Basan , which is on the other side of Jordan .

6. For the daughters of Manasseh [viz. which descended from Manasseh , and were begotten of Zelaphead] inherited an inheritance in the midst of his sons : And the rest of the children of Manasseh had the land of Gilead .

7. So that the border of Manasseh was from Aser unto Michmechat , which is before Sechem : And this border goeth along on the right hand to the inabitants of Entappuach.

8. Manasseh had indeed the land of Tappuach : but Tappuach it self on the border of Manasseh , the children of Ephraim had .

9. The border descended unto the brook Kana toward the south of the brook : [Or of the valley] These cities [to wit , Tappuach and Kana] are Ephraims , in the midst of the cities of Manasseh ; [meaning , that the cities and the countrey of the tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh were intermixed one with another . See above chapter 16.9.] and the border of Manasseh is on the north of the brook , and the goings out thereof are at the Sea .

10. It was Ephraims toward the south , and toward the north it was Manassehs , and the sea [viz. the Syrian sea] was the border thereof : [this respecteth both the border of Ephraim , and that of Manasseh] and on the north they joyn to Aser , and on the east to Issachar .

11. For Manasseh had in Issachar and in Aser , Beth-Sean [Afterward called Scythopolis , or the City of the Scythians , 2 Mach.12.29. See also 1 Mach.5.52.] and her dependant places , and Gibleam , and her dependant places , and the inhabitants at Dor , and her dependant places , and the inhabitants at En-dor , [this is translated The Fountain Dor . About this place , many of Sifera's fugitive souldiers were slain by Barac , Psal 83.11.] and her dependant places , and the inhabitants at Thaanach , and her dependant places , and the inhabitants at Megido , and her dependant places , three distintions of land .

12. And the children of Manasseh could not drive out ( the inhabitants of ) those cities : for the Caananites would dwell in the same land .

13. And it came to pass , when the children of Israel grew strong , that they made the Cannanites tributary : but they drave them not quite out . [Heb. driving out , they drave them not out .]

14. Then spake the children of Joseph [viz. Both the tribes , as well as Ephraim as Manasseh , as appeareth ver. 15,16,17.] unto Josua , saying , Wherefore hast thou given me but one lot and one line to inherit , [i.e. but so much land , as if we were but one tribe , and should dwell together , whereas indeed we are two tribes] whereas indeed I am a great people ? forasmuch as the LORD hath thus far blessed me . [these two tribes were in the last mustering or numbring 85 200 strong . See Numbers 26:34,37.]

15. And Josua said unto them , Seeing thou art a great people , get thee up to the wood , and cut down there for thee in the land of the Pherezites , and of the Rephaites , [As if he should say , Cut down the wood , and fit the ground for tillage , and build houses and cities upon it] seeing the mount of Ephraim is too narrow for thee.

16. Then said the children of Joseph , That mountain will not suffice us , [Heb. will not be found for us . So Numb.11.22. and elsewhere] there be also iron charets , with all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley , [as if they should say , The Canaanites who have many iron charets , wherewith they come into battel , will be too strong for us , and will forcibly oppose us , when we shall go about to cut down the wood upon the Mount] with those at Beth-Sean , and her dependant places , [Heb. her daughters , i.e. small towns] and those that are in the valley of Jezreel .

17. Furthermore spake Josua unto the house of Joseph , unto Ephraim , and unto Manasseh , saying , Thou art a great people , and hast great power , thou shalt not have one lot :

18. But the mountain shall be thine : ( and ) because it is a wood , therefore cut it down , so shall the goings out thereof be thine , [i.e. So shalt thou be able to plant it and possess it from the one end unto the other] for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites , though they have iron charets , though they be strong . [this Josua uttereth thus confidently , relying on the promise of God , above chap.13.6.]