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Joshua 17

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 17 of 24

1 And the lot came for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the first-born of Joseph, to Machir the first-born of Manasseh, father of Gilead, for he had been a man of battle, and he had Gilead and Bashan.

2 And there was a lot remaining for the sons of Manasseh, for their families, for the sons of Abiezer, and for the sons of Helek, and for the sons of Asriel, and for the sons of Shechem, and for the sons of Hepher, and for the sons of Shemida; these being the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.

3 But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters. And these were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

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Chapter Summary

The lot of Manasseh. 7 His coast. 12 The Canaanites not driven out. 14 The sons of Joseph obtain another lot.

Key Hebrew Words

גּוֹרָל lot H1486 · TWOT 381a
נַחֲלָה inheritance H5159 · TWOT 1342a
בְּכוֹר firstborn H1060 · TWOT 244a
יָרַשׁ dispossess H3423 · TWOT 920
רֶכֶב chariot H7393 · TWOT 2163a
מַס forced labor, tribute H4522 · TWOT 1218

People & Context

Daughters of Zelophehad

Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, who claim an inheritance among their father's brothers

Joshua

Son of Nun; receives the claim, then tells Joseph's tribes to clear the forest and dispossess the Canaanite

Eleazar

The priest before whom Zelophehad's daughters present their claim alongside Joshua and the rulers

Zelophehad

Son of Hepher of Manasseh who had no sons, only the five daughters who claim his inheritance

Machir

Firstborn of Manasseh, father of Gilead, a man of battle who received Gilead and Bashan

Canaanites

Inhabitants with iron chariots in the valley whom Manasseh could not dispossess but later put to tribute

Timeline

The Lot for the Tribe of Manasseh

The lot is cast for Manasseh. The daughters of Zelophehad approach the leadership to claim their inheritance, which is granted to them.

Joshua 17:1-6
Manasseh's Borders and Failure to Dispossess

Manasseh's borders and cities are mapped. They are unable to drive out the Canaanites in certain cities but later put them to tribute.

Joshua 17:7-13
Sons of Joseph Complain About Their Portion

The sons of Joseph complain to Joshua that their single lot is too small. Joshua instructs them to clear the forest in the hill country.

Joshua 17:14-15

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