Joshua 17
Joshua 17 deals with the land allotment for the tribe of Joseph—that is, for Manasseh and Ephraim. In particular, it focuses on the inheritance that half of the tribe of Manasseh received on the west side of the Jordan River. In verses 1-6, the genealogy of the descendants of Manasseh and the descendants belonging to their various families are mentioned, along with the story of how the daughters of Zelophehad received their father’s estate in accordance with the promise given to Moses. In verses 7-13, the specific boundaries and regions of the land that Manasseh received are listed, and the relationship with the indigenous peoples living there is also mentioned (that they were not completely driven out). In the final section, verses 14-18, the chapter ends with a scene in which Joshua responds to the descendants of Joseph, who complain that their portion is too small, by urging them to clear the forested hill country and take responsibility for the land available to them.
1verseThis was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.
2verseSo this was for the rest of the children of Manasseh according to their families: for the children of Abiezer, for the children of Helek, for the children of Asriel, for the children of Shechem, for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida. These were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families.
3verseBut Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4verseThey came to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the princes, saying, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.
5verseTen parts fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan;
6versebecause the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.
7verseThe border of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which is before Shechem. The border went along to the right hand, to the inhabitants of En Tappuah.
8verseThe land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh; but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim.
9verseThe border went down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook. These cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh. The border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and ended at the sea.
10verseSouthward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea was his border. They reached to Asher on the north, and to Issachar on the east.
11verseManasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns.
12verseYet the children of Manasseh couldn’t drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
13verseWhen the children of Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and didn’t utterly drive them out.
14verseThe children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me just one lot and one part for an inheritance, since we are a numerous people, because the LORD has blessed us so far?”
15verseJoshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”
16verseThe children of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. All the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth Shean and its towns, and those who are in the valley of Jezreel.”
17verseJoshua spoke to the house of Joseph, that is, to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, “You are a numerous people, and have great power. You shall not have one lot only;
18versebut the hill country shall be yours. Although it is a forest, you shall cut it down, and it’s farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”
Key Content and Flow
This chapter shows how a community of faith should respond to various situations, requests, and problems during the actual process of dividing the promised land. The daughters of Zelophehad take an active, self-directed attitude in claiming an inheritance even though there are no male descendants. It also describes the reality that the tribe of Manasseh does not control all the estates and that the people of Canaan are still present. When the descendants of Joseph are not satisfied with their portion and demand something greater, Joshua leads them to take on challenges actively by encouraging their faith and abilities. In this way, the chapter shows that Israel’s process of taking the promised land is not merely a matter of distribution, but a process of spiritual challenge and the practice of faith.
Meditation Points
- God’s promise and the community’s obedience: You can confirm God’s faithfulness in assigning the promised land to each tribe. However, the text emphasizes that in order to enjoy that promise, active actions of obedience and faith are necessary.
- Personal requests and wise acceptance by the community: As seen in the daughters of Zelophehad’s request, you can reflect on the idea that even a person’s needs and voice can be respected and reflected within the community.
Try Applying It to Me
- My inheritance in life: Before the promises God has given me in my life, what kind of attitude am I taking? I reflect on whether I am perhaps sitting back or giving up.
- Challenge and faith: Even if real-world circumstances are difficult and not complete, you can examine whether a life of actively acting with faith is needed.
