Verse 1
MANASSEH’S LOT IN WESTERN PALESTINE, Joshua 17:1-13.
1. Manasseh, the firstborn of Joseph, and retaining the rights of primogeniture, is put second because of Ephraim’s political superiority. Compare note at the beginning of chap. 16. Thus the prophetic words of their grandfather Jacob are fulfilled: “Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh.” Genesis 48:5; Genesis 48:14-19. Machir designates not the man but the family. His descendants, Jair and Nobah, conquered Bashan. Numbers 32:41-42. The portion of the half tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan is here brought in to give a complete view of the settlement of that tribe. See note on Joshua 13:29.
For he was the firstborn of Manasseh And therefore was honourably entitled to a share of the good land promised to the fathers.
The father of Gilead Literally, the father of the Gilead; that is, the country, as designated by the Hebrew article. He had a son by that name. Numbers 26:29. The term father, when followed by the name of a country, signifies lord or possessor, and is usually applied to the conqueror of the country. The Machirites had already received their portion east of Jordan. See Joshua 13:29-33.
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