---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Joshua 17"
description: "CHAPTER 17   :-. 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 t"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/joshua/17"
---

CHAPTER 17

. 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 ([Genesis 48:19](../../../kjv/genesis/48/19);
[Genesis 48:20](../../../kjv/genesis/48/20)); 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 ([Numbers 26:29](../../../kjv/numbers/26/29);
[Numbers 27:1](../../../kjv/numbers/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
([Numbers 32:41](../../../kjv/numbers/32/41); [Deuteronomy 3:13-15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/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 [Deuteronomy 3:13-5](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/3/13-5)).
[Deuteronomy 3:13-5](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/3/13-5). 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 ([Joshua 17:10](../../../kjv/joshua/17/10)) that
Manasseh was still further interlaced with other neighboring tribes.

**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.

**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 ().
**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 ).
**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.
[Joshua 17:12](../../../kjv/joshua/17/12);
[Joshua 17:13](../../../kjv/joshua/17/13). 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.
. 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.

**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.

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