Joshua 17:1 reminds us that God both honors courage and fulfills His promises to those who trust in Him.
“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.” (v.1)
This verse opens by describing how the tribe of Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph (c. 1915-1805 BC), received its inheritance among the people of Israel. Joseph, eleventh son of Jacob, was sold into slavery in Egypt but rose to power and prominence there (Genesis 37:23-28). Manasseh, one of Joseph’s two sons (the other being Ephraim), grew to become a significant tribe in Israel. Here, we learn that Machir—the firstborn of Manasseh—received territory in Gilead and Bashan because he proved himself to be a warrior. The place named Gilead extended east of the Jordan River, encompassing the northern region of the modern country of Jordan, and frequently denotes a mountainous district important to the half-tribe of Manasseh who settled there. Bashan was northeast of Gilead, a fertile area that includes the region of the modern Golan. These lands were previously ruled by kings such as Og of Bashan, whom the Israelites defeated under Moses (Deuteronomy 3:1-7; see also commentary_DEU_3_18).
“Machir the firstborn of Manasseh” signifies that a considerable portion of land fell to the Machirite clan. Ancient Israelites often listed lineages to uphold tribal claims and responsibilities. Because Machir was “a man of war,” he and his family were recognized for their courage and skill in battle. Their inheritance of Gilead and Bashan highlights both the tribe’s military achievements and God’s faithfulness in granting them a suitable allotment. The region of Gilead, in particular, appears repeatedly throughout Scripture, and is described as a place located east of the Jordan River, the northern part of the modern country of Jordan.
It underscores that family heritage, demonstration of valor, and divine promise all converge here to advance the chosen people into land that was pledged to them after leaving Egypt. This allotment testifies to God’s orderly distribution of territory and His recognition of courage and faith.
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Joshua 17:1 meaning
“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.” (v.1)
This verse opens by describing how the tribe of Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph (c. 1915-1805 BC), received its inheritance among the people of Israel. Joseph, eleventh son of Jacob, was sold into slavery in Egypt but rose to power and prominence there (Genesis 37:23-28). Manasseh, one of Joseph’s two sons (the other being Ephraim), grew to become a significant tribe in Israel. Here, we learn that Machir—the firstborn of Manasseh—received territory in Gilead and Bashan because he proved himself to be a warrior. The place named Gilead extended east of the Jordan River, encompassing the northern region of the modern country of Jordan, and frequently denotes a mountainous district important to the half-tribe of Manasseh who settled there. Bashan was northeast of Gilead, a fertile area that includes the region of the modern Golan. These lands were previously ruled by kings such as Og of Bashan, whom the Israelites defeated under Moses (Deuteronomy 3:1-7; see also commentary_DEU_3_18).
“Machir the firstborn of Manasseh” signifies that a considerable portion of land fell to the Machirite clan. Ancient Israelites often listed lineages to uphold tribal claims and responsibilities. Because Machir was “a man of war,” he and his family were recognized for their courage and skill in battle. Their inheritance of Gilead and Bashan highlights both the tribe’s military achievements and God’s faithfulness in granting them a suitable allotment. The region of Gilead, in particular, appears repeatedly throughout Scripture, and is described as a place located east of the Jordan River, the northern part of the modern country of Jordan.
It underscores that family heritage, demonstration of valor, and divine promise all converge here to advance the chosen people into land that was pledged to them after leaving Egypt. This allotment testifies to God’s orderly distribution of territory and His recognition of courage and faith.