Josué 17

Josué 17

Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Paul J Bucknell - Biblical Foundations for Freedom LAND ALLOTMENTS (Joshua 13-21) Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Click charts to enlarge Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission JOSHUA A BOOK ON SPIRITUAL WARFARE and REST HOW TO POSSESS YOUR POSSESSIONS CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND DIVISION OF THE PROMISED LAND CLOSE OF JOSHUA'S LIFE ACTION ALLOCATION APPEAL Josh 1:1-5:15 Josh 6:1-12:24 Joshua 13:1-21:45 Josh 22:1-24:33 WARLORDS IN CANAAN LANDLORDS IN CANAAN ENTERING CANAAN CONQUERING CANAAN DIVIDING CANAAN SECURING THE LAND SETTLING THE LAND Preparation Conquest Possession Consecration ca. 1 Month ca 7 Years ca. 18 Years See also more detailed Chart by Charles R Swindoll Joshua 17:1 Now this was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war. the firstborn: Ge 41:51 46:20 48:18 De 21:17 Machir: Ge 50:23 Nu 26:29 27:1 32:39,40 Jdg 5:14 1Ch 2:23 7:14,15 Gilead: Nu 26:29 32:33,40 De 3:13-15 Map to help visualize descriptions of boundaries of Manasseh Zondervan Atlas of the Bible: C. Rasmussen (recommended resource - do not reproduce) THE FIRST BORN OF JOSEPH GETS THIRD LOT Here is an outline of Joshua 17 THE ALLOTMENT COMMITTEE'S DECISION - Joshua 17:1-6 THE BOUNDARIES OF THE INHERITANCE - Joshua 17:7-11 THE TRAGIC COMPROMISE - Joshua 17:12, 13 WANTING MORE - Joshua 17:14-18 Rasmussen - The third lot fell to the second son of Joseph, Manasseh. While a portion of the tribe settled in the land of Gilead (see below), the other part settled in Canaan. Since no list of settlements is provided for Manasseh, there is somewhat of a “blank” spot on the map in comparison to tribes bordering it on the north and south. In addition, only the southwestern boundary is described in some detail (Josh 17:7–11), so that its remaining borders are difficult to define with precision. Manasseh stretched from the sea to the Jordan River; the southern boundary was conterminous with Ephraim, while on the north, from west to east, Manasseh bordered on Asher, Zebulun, and Issachar. The boundary with these northern tribes evidently passed through the Jezreel and Harod valleys, which were divided among them. But cities such as Beth Shan, Ibleam, Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, while assigned to Manasseh (v. 11), were difficult to capture because of the strength of the Canaanites in the plain, who possessed iron chariots (v. 16)—a fact well known from the annals of Thutmose III (p. 101). It probably was not until the reigns of David and Solomon four hundred years later (i.e., 1010–931 BC) that the Israelites were able to take control of these powerful cities. Since the choice land on the plains was controlled by the Canaanites, the sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) settled in the heavily forested hill country, cutting down trees to secure needed farmland (vv. 15–18). ( Zondervan Atlas of the Bible) Bashan and Gilead (ESV Study Bible) (Click to Enlarge) It is interesting that this next section is more about tribal identity than about specific geographic identity as in the previous chapters. Now this was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph - Recall that the half-tribe of Manasseh that settled on the east side of the Jordan had received their lot, but the other half did not and now it was their turn. While he was the firstborn, on his deathbed blessing the patriarch Jacob switches his right hand (of blessing) from the head of Manasseh and placed it on the head of Ephraim who received the lot (See birthright) before Manasseh (see description of this patriarchal transaction in Ge 48:13-20) And as history would demonstrate it was Ephraim and not Manasseh who would exercise leadership during the period of the Judges. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan (see map above) - This is the allotment east of the Jordan. The other half-tribe's allotment is described below. See Machir below. Gilead (obviously the Person not the Place) was the great grandson of Joseph, the grandfather of Zelophehad (Nu 27:1) and the original clan leader in tribe of Manasseh (Nu 26:28-32; Nu 36:1). The clan was so strong it could be listed with Israel's tribes in Deborah's song (Jdg 5:17). They fought for recognition among other tribes (Jdg 12:4-7). Machir - Holman Bible Dictionary Personal name meaning “sold.” Oldest son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Joshua 17:1). He was the father of Gilead (Joshua 17:1), Peresh, and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16), and a daughter whose name is not given (1 Chronicles 2:21). He had a brother named Asriel (1 Chronicles 7:14) and a wife named Maacah (1 Chronicles 7:16). Machir was the head of the family called the Machirites (Numbers 26:29 ). Apparently Machir along with his family had a reputation for being expert warriors (Joshua 17:1). “Because he was a man of war,” Machir was allotted the territory of Bashan and Gilead, east of the Jordan (Joshua 17:1). Apparently the territory of the Machirites started at the site of Mahanaim, on the Jabbok River, extended northward, and included the region around the Yarmuk River (Joshua 13:29-31). Because he was a man of war - Why would this warrant his receipt of the territory east of the Jordan? In Numbers 32:39 we read that "The sons of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it." Another thought is that this inheritance would be continually subjected to attacks from the adjacent pagan neighbors, Ammonites, etc. Madvig - The reason for their being given land in Gilead and Bashan was that they “were great soldiers.” In Numbers 32:1–5 a different reason is given for their settling in Transjordan: They had large flocks and herds, and that land was suitable for livestock. Both reasons are applicable. (The Expositor's Bible Commentary Volume 3) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 1-6. Manasseh was but half of the tribe of Joseph, yet it was divided into two parts. The daughters of Zelophehad now reaped the benefit of their pious zeal and prudent forecast. Those who take care in the wilderness of this world, to make sure to themselves a place in the inheritance of the saints in light, will have the comfort of it in the other world; while those who neglect it now, will lose it for ever. Lord, teach us here to believe and obey, and give us an inheritance among thy saints, in glory everlasting. QUESTION - Who was Manasseh in the Bible? ANSWER - There are two historically significant men named Manasseh in the Bible. King Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah; and Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn son. This article will deal with Joseph’s son. Joseph, Jacob’s eleventh son, was sold into slavery and, through the providence of God, ended up as the vizier of Egypt. In that land, he married Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On (Genesis 41:50). Asenath was the mother of Manasseh. Manasseh’s name literally means “making forgetful”; Joseph said he chose that name “because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household” (Genesis 41:51). Joseph had a new life in Egypt and a new family. Joseph and Asenath had a second son, Ephraim. Later, Joseph’s father, Jacob, and Joseph’s brothers and their families moved to Egypt to escape a famine. When Jacob was about to die, Joseph brought his sons to him for a patriarchal blessing. Jacob basically adopted the boys as his own sons (Genesis 48:5) so that they would share in his inheritance. Manasseh and Ephraim are among the twelve tribes of Israel that inherited territory in the Promised Land. Joseph intended for Jacob to bless Manasseh more than Ephraim, since Manasseh was the firstborn and the customary recipient of the birthright. However, Jacob chose to give Ephraim the greater blessing—even though Joseph objected. Jacob said, “[Manasseh] too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations” (Genesis 48:19). These words came to pass much later, when Moses took a census of all the children of Israel. Manasseh had 32,200 descendants who were age 20 and over and able to go to war, and Ephraim had 40,500 (Numbers 1:32–35). From then on, the tribe of Ephraim, the younger, is almost always listed before that of Manasseh, the older (see Numbers 2:18–20). GotQuestions.org Joshua 17:2 So the lot was made for the rest of the sons of Manasseh according to 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 were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families. the rest: Nu 26:29-32 the sons: Jdg 6:11 8:2 1Ch 7:18 Abiezer: Nu 26:30, Jeezer sons of Asriel: Nu 26:31 sons of Hepher: Nu 26:32 LOTS TO THE OTHER SIX SONS OF MANASSEH So the lot was made for the rest of the sons of Manasseh according to their families - The rest of the sons of Manasseh refers to the half-tribe of Manasseh that had not received an allotment on the east side of the Jordan (Josh 17:1). 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 were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families - The allotment is different from the previous allotments in that it deals mainly with the individuals but it does not describe how these sons parceled out the land. No geographic boundaries are given for the individual sons. Notice the phrase the male descendants which sets us a striking contrast with the female descendants in the next section. Abiezer - Holman Bible Dictionary Personal name meaning, “my Father is help.” Son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Joshua 17:2; 1 Chronicles 7:18 ). Helek - Holman Bible Dictionary Personal name meaning, “portion.” Son of Gilead from the tribe of Manasseh and original clan ancestor of the Helekites (Numbers 26:30 ). The clan received an allotment in the tribe's share of the Promised Land (Joshua 17:2 ). Asriel - Holman Bible Dictionary Personal name meaning, “God has made happy.” A son of Gilead and clan, Asrielites, in the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 26:31 ). They received a land allotment (Joshua 17:2 ). In 1 Chronicles 7:14 KJV spells Ashriel. Shechem - Holman Bible Dictionary Personal and place name meaning, “shoulder, back.” Numbers 26:31; Joshua 17:2 (NOTE: In Joshua 17:7 SHECHEM refers to the city by that name).. Hepher - Holman Bible Dictionary Personal name meaning, “well” or “shame.” Original family ancestor in clan of Gilead and father of Zelophehad (Numbers 26:28-37 ). He belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17:1-2 ). The youngest of the sons of Gilead, Numbers 26:32, and head of the family of the Hepherites. QUESTION - What can we learn from the tribe of Manasseh? ANSWER - Israel’s twelve tribes were named for Jacob’s children or, in the case of Manasseh (and Ephraim), his grandchildren. After Jacob wrestled with Him all night, God renamed Jacob “Israel,” which means “you have struggled with God and men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:22–30). The name Israel represents not only the modern-day country but also, originally, Jacob’s offspring to whom God promised a great nation whose “descendants will be like dust of the earth . . . spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south” (Genesis 28:14). Jacob’s grandson, for whom the tribe was named, was born in Egypt to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, daughter of the priest Potiphera. Joseph named his firstborn “Manasseh” because God had made him “forget all my trouble and all my father’s household” (Genesis 41:51). This tribe provides us with many lessons; chief among them are messages about free will, obedience, faith, and the nature of God. Early on, we learn that Manasseh is frequently referred to as the “half-tribe” of Manasseh. This designation highlights the choice made by some of the tribe to reside east of the River Jordan (Numbers 32:33; Joshua 13: 29–31). They believed the Transjordan was the more suitable land to raise their flocks. The rest of the tribe settled west of the Jordan, in Canaan, following Joshua’s command to enter and possess the Promised Land. As is evident throughout Scripture, God endows His children with the freedom to choose. Exercising free will can lead to undesirable or even disastrous results, especially if we disobey God or make selfish choices. Manasseh learned this lesson—painfully—when they failed to obey God’s command to destroy the Canaanites. Part of this failure was due to a lack of faith that God would give them strength to overcome a seemingly unconquerable foe. Manasseh illustrates other human failings as well, such as greed and covetousness. The (half) tribe of Manasseh desired more land because they were “a numerous people.” They may have had the numbers, but they were unwilling to follow Joshua’s exhortation to clear “the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites” (Joshua 17:12-18). On the other hand, the tribe of Manasseh at times exhibits faithfulness to God. Gideon, who would later become one of Israel’s best judges, questioned God when called to “save Israel out of Midian’s hand.” One of Gideon’s objections was that his “clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). Gideon required proof from God—twice—before he acted (Judges 6:36–40). Once convinced of God’s will, Gideon moved forward with 32,000 troops to conquer the Midianites. But then God told Gideon that he had too many troops for the job, and God reduced his corps to a mere 300 men. Following God’s lead, this paltry force routed the enemy. The battle proved God was with Gideon and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Other interesting lessons emerge. One is that God is just. Zelophehad, great-great-grandson of Manasseh, had no sons and died in the desert before entering the Promised Land. His daughters petitioned Moses, asking that the practice of male inheritance be changed so they could receive their deceased father’s property. After consulting with the Lord, Moses agreed and developed rules designed to keep property within a family (Numbers 27:1–11).GotQuestions.org Joshua 17:3 However, Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, only daughters; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. Nu 26:33 Nu 27:1-11 Nu 36:1-13 Related Passages: Numbers 36:2-3+ and they said, “The LORD commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. 3 “But if they marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance. THE FIVE DAUGHTERS OF ZELOPHEHAD However, Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, only daughters; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah - For background see Nu 27:1-11+ describing the daughter's inheritance and then the qualification in Nu 36:1-13+ Thompson on vv 3-6 - Now this is a very significant set of verses because it teaches us that an inheritance is not gender biased. Men and women may earn an inheritance in the program of God. QUESTION - Who were the daughters of Zelophehad? ANSWER - The daughters of Zelophehad were five sisters named Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (Numbers 27:1) who came to Moses with a concern over how the Promised Land was to be divided in relation to their family. In Numbers 26:52–56, Moses was given instructions from the Lord on how to divide up the land for inheritance, but these sisters had a unique situation. The daughters of Zelophehad came to the door of the tent of meeting, where judgments were issued, to talk to Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and the congregation. Their father had died in the wilderness, and he had no sons (Numbers 27:2–3). Since only males had been counted in the census of Numbers 26, the daughters of Zelophehad saw a problem—with no father and no brothers to inherit a portion of the land, they would be left destitute. The daughters proposed to Moses that they be allowed to inherit their father’s portion of the land. They asked, “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives” (verse 4). Since this situation was unprecedented, Moses asked God for direction (Numbers 27:5). The Lord’s response was just: “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.” In other words, God ruled in favor of the daughters. They could inherit their father’s portion of the land as a way to provide for themselves and preserve the memory of their father. The case of Zelophehad’s daughters set a precedent and expanded the legal rights of women. Due to the ruling regarding the daughters of Zelophehad, women were included in the list of eligible heirs of property. The following became the inheritance order: son, daughter, brother, paternal uncle, and nearest clan kin. Property was not to be transferred outside of one’s tribe. In Numbers 36, we once again hear about the daughters of Zelophehad. This time it is in relation to whom they could marry. A potential problem loomed: if the daughters, who were now landowners, married men outside their tribe, they would join their husbands’ tribes and take their father’s property with them. This would diminish the property allotted to Manasseh, the tribe of Zelophehad (Numbers 36:1–3). Further, the land would not revert back to Manasseh during the Year of Jubilee (verse 4). The land allotment for each tribe could change significantly, due to intermarriage with other tribes. God gave a simple solution to the potential problem. God instructed that the daughters of Zelophehad could marry anyone they wanted within their father’s tribal clan (Numbers 36:7). No inheritance was to pass from tribe to tribe. The five sisters complied with this ruling and married their cousins on their father’s side (verses 10–11). This kept the land allotment intact. Again, a case involving the daughters of Zelophehad set a legal precedent for the rest of Israel to follow. Throughout the Bible, God shows special concern for the widow and the orphan. We read over and over how God makes special provisions for them, as He did for the daughters of Zelophehad.GotQuestions.org Joshua 17:4 They came near before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the leaders, saying, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So according to the command of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among their father's brothers. Eleazar: Jos 14:1 Nu 34:17-29 The Lord commanded: Nu 27:6-7 Ga 3:28 Related Passages: Joshua 14:1 Now these are the territories which the sons of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel apportioned to them for an inheritance, Numbers 27:6-7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements. You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them. ZELOPHEHAD'S DAUGHTERS CLAIM THE PROMISES MADE BY MOSES It is notable that this is one of the earliest documentations of women's rights in the Scripture. They came near before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the leaders - These are the "administrators of the allotment of land to the tribes (Joshua 14:1). These five girls who had no brothers had originally gone to Moses and Eleazar and asked if they could receive some land as an inheritance. Moses consulted with God and God said they should receive an inheritance (Nu 27:7) As an aside, Eleazar the High Priest and was one of the men who was with Moses in the wilderness, but here we see he has clearly been allowed to enter the promised land. Life Application Study Bible - Although women did not traditionally inherit property in Israelite society, Moses put justice ahead of tradition and gave these five women the land they deserved (see Numbers 27:1–11). In fact, God told Moses to add a law that would help other women in similar circumstances inherit property as well. Joshua was now carrying out this law. It is easy to refuse to honor a reasonable request because “we have never done it that way before.” But, like Moses and Joshua, we should look carefully at the purpose of the law and the merits of each case before deciding. Madvig - "In the four incidents in this book where Joshua and Eleazar are mentioned together, Eleazar is always named first, perhaps out of respect for his crucial role as high priest in the casting of lots" The daughters of Zelophehad based their claim on what “the LORD commanded Moses.” Whether it was primarily the rights of the father or the rights of the daughters that were being protected, an unusual privilege and a remarkable measure of equality were granted to these women. (The Expositor's Bible Commentary Volume 3) Saying, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." - They are in essence claiming God's promise by faith, a promise given by Yahweh through Moses to the daughters. Thompson - These girls believed in the promises of God and in full conformity to what God said, they asked that they be given an inheritance. These girls were very spiritually-minded girls who were focused on God’s Word. For the most part in this ancient culture, women were considered nothing. In fact, in many of the eastern countries, they still are. This is not so in God’s culture. God considers them to be something and He gave them an inheritance and they received it right here. Women of God had legal rights under the Mosaic Law. When Joshua knew it was God’s Word, he did it. That is good leadership. Now these daughters were respectful and submissive. But they did speak up and according to verse 6, they did get their inheritance. In Christ’s day some of His most faithful supporters and financial backers were women (Luke 8:1-3). The same was true for the Apostle Paul (Acts 16:12-15). Women who put the Lord first will end up honored women. THOUGHT - This faithful action by these five daughters is a reminder of the words of Peter that God "has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.." (2Pe 1:4) The daughters had a physical promise which they laid hold of by faith. Believers have spiritual promises which must also be laid hold of by faith. Faith that believes obeys God and that is the faith He blesses. Are there promises of God which you are failing to lay hold of because unfaithfulness/disobedience? So according to the command of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among their father's brothers - NET - " So Joshua assigned them land among their uncles, as the LORD had commanded." The NET and NLT interpret "he" as Joshua. Amplified also has "So according to the Lord's command, Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father's brethren." This passage reinforces the faithful obedience of Joshua to the commands from Moses. Don't miss the point that this distribution took place according to the command of the LORD. Madvig - "Whether it was primarily the rights of the father or the rights of the daughters that were being protected, an unusual privilege and a remarkable measure of equality were granted to these women. In actual fact the daughters of Zelophehad had no "brothers" (cp. Josh 17:3), which is why the inheritance was passed on to them. The Hebrew ah can refer to any male relative, and it should be understood as "kinsman" or "tribesman" here (The Expositor's Bible Commentary Volume 3) Joshua 17:5 Thus there fell ten portions to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan, ten : Jos 17:2,3,14 beside: Jos 13:29-31 Nu 32:30-42 Thus there fell ten portions to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan - These ten tracts of land were parceled out to the five brothers (minus Hepher) and to the five granddaughters of Hepher. TSK - As there were six sons and five daughters, among whom this division was to be made, there should be eleven portions: but Zelophehad, son of Hepher, having left five daughters in his place, neither he nor Hepher is reckoned. The lot of Manasseh therefore was divided into ten parts; five for the five sons of Gilead, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, and Shemida; and five for the five daughters of Zelophehad, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Joshua 17:6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh. because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh. Joshua 17:7 The border of Manasseh ran from Asher to Michmethath which was east of Shechem; then the border went southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah. Asher: Eusebius says this was a town in his time not far from Neapolis, towards Scythopolis or Bethshan; between which towns it is also placed by the old Jerusalem Itinerary. Michmethah: Jos 16:6-8 Shechem: Jos 20:7 21:21 24:1,32 Ge 34:2 37:12,14 Jdg 9:1 1Ki 12:1,25 1Ch 6:67 Map to help visualize descriptions of boundaries of Manasseh Zondervan Atlas of the Bible: C. Rasmussen The border of Manasseh ran from Asher to Michmethath (see map above) which was east of Shechem; then the border went southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah (see Tappuah on map above) - The southern boundary of Manasseh was the northern boundary of Ephraim. Madvig comments that "The description of "the territory of Manasseh" is very confusing. It provides little more than a clearer definition of the border with Ephraim. Opinions are divided on the proper interpretation of "Asher" here. It may refer to the tribe of Asher (cf. Joshua 19:24-31), it could be emended so as to be translated "slopes" (Boling, pp. 409, 412), or it may be a reference to some town—perhaps Yasir. For "Michmethath" see Joshua 16:6. "Shechem" is between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim (ED: SEE COMMENTS ON Josh 8:30-33). It is mentioned frequently in the patriarchal stories in Genesis. Shechem was chosen to be a Levitical town (Joshua 21:21) and one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7). Joshua gathered all Israel in Shechem for his farewell address and covenant renewal (Joshua 24:1, 25, 32+). "En Tappuah" is the same as "Tappuah" (see Joshua 16:8). (The Expositor's Bible Commentary )