Joshua 17:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 17:1-6

Manasseh was itself but one half of the tribe of Joseph, and yet was divided and subdivided. 1. It was divided into two parts, one already settled on the other side Jordan, consisting of those who were the posterity of Machir, Josh. 17:1. This Machir was born to Manasseh in Egypt; there he had signalized himself as a man of war, probably in the contests between the Ephraimites and the men of Gath, 1 Chron. 7:21. His warlike disposition descended to his posterity, and therefore Moses gave them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:1

There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh ,.... As well as for the tribe of Ephraim: for he was the firstborn of Joseph ; and therefore ought to have his part and share in the lot of the children of Joseph, though Ephraim was preferred before him in the blessing of Jacob. Some think this is given as a reason why he had a double portion, one on the other side Jordan, and another in the land of Canaan: to wit , for Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead ; who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:2

There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families ,.... For such that had no part in Gilead and Bashan on the other side Jordan, even for the other half tribe, whose families are particularly mentioned, as follows: for the children of Abiezer ; who is called Jeezer in Numbers 26:30 ; and was a son of Gilead, the son of Machir, as the rest that follow were: and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:3

But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters ,.... The descent of this man is particularly given, to show the truth and reality of it, upon which his daughters made their request, and that granted and now claimed: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah , Milcah, and Tirzah ; by the same names, and in the same order they are called in Numbers 26:33 ; the order is a little... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:4

And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes ,.... The ten princes, who, with Eleazar and Joshua, were appointed to divide the land, Numbers 34:17 ; and were now met together for that purpose, Joshua 14:1 , saying, the Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren ; those of the same tribe with them; for upon their application to Moses he inquired of the Lord, who ordered him to grant their request, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:1

There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh - It was necessary to mark this because Jacob, in his blessing, ( Genesis 48:19 , Genesis 48:20 ;), did in a certain sense set Ephraim before Manasseh, though the latter was the first-born; but the place here shows that this preference did not affect the rights of primogeniture. For Machir - because he was a man of war - It is not likely that Machir himself was now alive; if he were, he must have been nearly 200 years old: It is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:2

The rest of the children of Manasseh - That is, his grandchildren; for it is contended that Manasseh had no other son than Machir; and these were very probably the children of Gilead, the son of Machir. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:3

Zelophehad - had no sons , but daughters - See this case considered at large in the notes on Numbers 27:1-7 ; (note); Numbers 36:1 ; (note), etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:1

Verse 1 The historian returns to the tribe of Manasseh with the view of confirming what we formerly saw with regard to the daughters of Selophead. For though it was a novelty for females to succeed indiscriminately with males, yet as five of them had survived their father, they proved it to be equitable that they should be admitted to a portion, lest while he was innocent he should lie under the reproach of having died childless. God had replied to Moses by his oracle, that in regard to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:1

EXPOSITION There was also a lot. The preferable translation is, " and the lot for the tribe of Manasseh—for he was the firstborn of Joseph—was ( or fell ) to Machir the son of Manasseh. That is to say, the proper possession of the tribe of Manasseh fell to Machir and his descendants only, because of their warlike spirit, and possibly on account of their numbers also. They were sufficient to occupy the land of Gilead and Bashan, extensive and powerful though it was, while the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 17:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 17:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 17:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 17:1

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