Q.  The land for the tribe of Manasseh (chapter 17).

The land for Manasseh was great; only smaller than Judah’s.

1.       Manasseh received a portion of land each at the eastern and western sides of the river.

 a.      Machir, the eldest son of Manasseh, the father of Gilead was a warrior. He possessed Gilead and Bashan (Num 32:39, 40).

 b.      The rest of the children of Manasseh received a great piece of land on the west side of the river, which is the northern part of the land of Ephraimites. The land covers the beautiful plain of Shechem, which became the later Samaria.

2.       The land received by the daughters of Zelophehad (3-6; Num 27:1-11).

 a.      A descendant of Manasseh, Zelophehad did not have sons. His daughters asked for land from Moses and God agreed, “What they are asking for is justifiable and they shall be given a portion of the land.” This incidence was mentioned in the Bible a few times in order to show the important significance its spiritual implication (Num 36:1-4).

 b.      Fear God and look highly the possession of God (cf. 1 Kgs 21:3).

 c.      Protect their dues with all their might. Twice they tabled their application—both to Moses and Joshua.

 d.      In order to preserve their possessions, they could only marry within their tribe.

3.       The children of Joseph were united in their defense against enemies.

 a.      Although Manasseh was placed under Ephraim, and Moses had mentioned that Manasseh was thousands while Ephraim ten thousands, Manasseh was able to accept the arrangement without any murmuring and finally he was able to preserve the great blessing bestowed upon him.

 b.      Manasseh returned some cities to Ephraim (8, 9).

(a)     Joshua encouraged these brotherly tribes to cooperate with each other to fight against their enemies.