http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 The Allotment for Manasseh Joshua 17:1-18
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 Text: Joshua 17:1-18, The Allotment for Manasseh 1. This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph's firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh's firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. 2. So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. 3. Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. 4. They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the LORD's command. 5. Manasseh's share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, 6. because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. 7. The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Micmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. 8. (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) 9. Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the sea. 10. On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. 11. Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth). 12. Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. 13. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely. 14. The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly." 15. "If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites." 16. The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel." 17. But Joshua said to the house of Joseph to Ephraim and Manasseh-"You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18. but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out." (NIV) Introduction: I. In Joshua 17 attention is given to the sons (descendants) of Manasseh.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 A. Manasseh s descendants settled two territories, one east and one west of the Jordan River. Commentary: 1. Certain descendants of Makir (Machir) settled east of the Jordan River. 2. The rest of the descendants of Manasseh settled west of the Jordan River. (See Coffman). Joshua 17:1, This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph's firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh's firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. (NIV) I. This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh, A. Clarke stated that this specification was necessary because Jacob, in his blessing, did in a sense set Ephraim before Manasseh although Manasseh was Joseph s firstborn. 1. Genesis 48:19, But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He 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." (NIV) II. as Joseph s firstborn, A. Clarke further stated that this verse here shows that Jacob s actions did not affect Manasseh s rights of primeogeniture. III. that is, for Makir, Manesseh s firstborn.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 A. Makir (Machir) was the firstborn of Manasseh. Makirites were the only family of the tribe of Manasseh. (Youngblood) B. Makir was now dead as he, otherwise, by this time would have been nearly two hundred (200) years old. (Clarke) 1. What is said here is spoken of Makir s descendants who were entitled to the lot to which Makir was originally entitled. (Clarke) IV. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, A. The Gileadites were descendants of Makir s son Gilead. (Gilead here is a person.) 1. Numbers 26:30-42, These were the descendants of Gilead: through Iezer, the Iezerite clan;through Helek, the Helekite clan; through Asriel, the Asrielite clan; through Shechem, the Shechemite clan; through Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; through Hepher, the Hepherite clan. (Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.) These were the clans of Manasseh; those numbered were 52,700. These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: through Shuthelah, the Shuthelahite clan; through Beker, the Bekerite clan; through Tahan, the Tahanite clan. These were the descendants of Shuthelah: through Eran, the Eranite clan. These were the clans of Ephraim; those numbered were 32,500.These were the descendants of Joseph by their clans. The descendants of Benjamin by their clans were: through Bela, the Belaite clan; through Ashbel, the Ashbelite clan; through Ahiram, the Ahiramite clan; through Shupham, the Shuphamite clan;
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 6 through Hupham, the Huphamite clan. The descendants of Bela through Ard and Naaman were: through Ard, the Ardite clan; through Naaman, the Naamite clan. These were the clans of Benjamin; those numbered were 45,600. These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: through Shuham, the Shuhamite clan. These were the clans of Dan: (NIV) 2. Judges 10:3, He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. (NIV) 3. Judges 11:1, 40, Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. that each year the young women of Israel go out for four days to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite. (NIV) V. who had received Gilead and Bashan, A. Gilead here was a mountain region east of the Jordan River extending about sixty (60) miles north to south from near the south end of the Sea of Galilee to the north end of the Dead Sea. Gilead was about twenty (20) miles wide east to west. (Youngblood) B. Bashan was located north of Gilead and east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River as it flows south toward the Sea of Galilee. (See Bromiley). VI. because the Makirites were great soldiers. A. Makir was a tough warrior who received and subdued a tough land. (Ziese) 1. Numbers 32:39-42, The descendants of Makir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it and drove out the
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 7 Amorites who were there. So Moses gave Gilead to the Makirites, the descendants of Manasseh, and they settled there. Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, captured their settlements and called them Havvoth Jair. And Nobah captured Kenath and its surrounding settlements and called it Nobah after himself. (NIV) 2. Joshua 1:12, But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, (NIV) 3. Joshua 13:8, 29-31, The other half of Manasseh, the Reubenites and the Gadites had received the inheritance that Moses had given them east of the Jordan, as he, the servant of the LORD, had assigned it to them. This is what Moses had given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the family of the descendants of Manasseh, clan by clan: The territory extending from Mahanaim and including all of Bashan, the entire realm of Og king of Bashan all the settlements of Jair in Bashan, sixty towns, half of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei (the royal cities of Og in Bashan). This was for the descendants of Makir son of Manasseh for half of the sons of Makir, clan by clan. (NIV) B. Makir s descendants evidently also possessed the traits of military skill and valor which enabled them to defend their frontier inheritance. (Clarke) Joshua 17:2, So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. (NIV) I. So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 8 A. The rest of the people of Manasseh were six in number the names of which are listed here. (Coffman) 1. These six are actually grandsons of Machir through Gilead. (Coffman) 2. Hepher was deceased, which left only five (5) living sons. (Coffman) II. The clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. A. Abiezer (father of help) was a son of Gilead and Hammoleketh (Hammolecheth). 1. Joshua 17:2, So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. (NIV) 2. 1 Chronicles 7:18, His sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer and Mahlah. (NIV) 3. Hammoleketh (the queen) was a daughter of Machir, sister of Gilead, and granddaughter of Manasseh. (Youngblood) B. Helek (portion) was a son of Gilead and founder of the Helekites. 1. Numbers 26:30, These were the descendants of Gilead: through Iezer, the Iezerite clan; through Helek, the Helekite clan; (NIV) C. Asriel (Ashriel) was a man of the tribe of Manasseh, of the house of Gilead. (Youngblood)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 9 D. Shechem was a son of Gilead and grandson of Manasseh. (Youngblood) 1. Numbers 26:31, through Asriel, the Asrielite clan; through Shechem, the Shechemite clan; (NIV) E. Hepher was the youngest son of Gilead and founder of the tribal family of the Hepherites. (Youngblood) 1. Numbers 26:32, through Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; through Hepher, the Hepherite clan. (NIV) 2. Numbers 27:1, The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. (NIV) F. Shemida (Shemidah) was a son of Gilead of the tribe of Manasseh and founder of the Shemidaites. (Youngblood) 1. Numbers 26:32, through Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; through Hepher, the Hepherite clan. (NIV) III. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. Joseph 17:3, Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. (NIV) I. Now Zelophehad son of Hepher,
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 10 A. Zelophehad, a man of the tribe of Manasseh, died during the wilderness wandering, leaving no sons and five (5) daughters. 1. Zelophehad lived three generations beyond Makir. (Ziese) II. the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, III. had no sons but only daughters, A. Zelophehad s daughters went to Moses and asked that they be permitted to inherit their father s property. (Youngblood) B. Moses granted their request on condition that they marry within their father s tribe. (Youngblood) 1. Numbers 26:29-34, The descendants of Manasseh: through Makir, the Makirite clan (Makir was the father of Gilead through Gilead, the Gileadite clan. These were the descendants of Gilead: through Iezer, the Iezerite clan; through Helek, the Helekite clan; through Asriel, the Asrielite clan; through Shechem, the Shechemite clan; through Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; through Hepher, the Hepherite clan. (Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.) These were the clans of Manasseh; those numbered were 52,700. (NIV) 2. Numbers 27:1-11, The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They approached the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly, and said, "Our father died in the desert. He was not
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 11 among Korah's followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives." So Moses brought their case before the LORD and the LORD said to him, "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and turn their father's inheritance over to them. "Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.' " (NIV) 3. Numbers 36:1, The family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and the leaders, the heads of the Israelite families. (NIV) 4. By marrying within the tribe of Manasseh the land allotted to them would remain the territory of Manasseh. IV. whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. A. Mahlah was the oldest of the five daughters of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh. (Youngblood) B. Noah was a daughter of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh. (Youngblood)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 12 C. Hoglah was a daughter of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh. (Youngblood) D. Milcah was one of the daughters of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh. E. Tirzah was the youngest of the five daughters of Zelophehad. 1. Numbers 26:33, (Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.) (NIV) Joshua 17:4, They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the LORD's command. (NIV) I. They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, II. The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers. III. So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, IV. according to the LORD s command. A. Joshua was a true hero of faith. He unquestioningly did what God commanded without hesitation. Joshua 17:5, Manasseh's share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 13 I. Manasseh s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, A. These ten (10) tracts were located west of the Jordan River and were in addition to the land assigned to Manasseh east of the Jordan River. B. The ten (10) tracts were for the five (5) living sons and five (5) daughters mentioned in verses 2 and 3. (Coffman) C. A tract must have been a certain measure of land as would have been determined by survey. II. because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. Note: The ten (10) tracts of land west of the Jordan River allotted to Manasseh were assigned one tract each to the five (5) daughters of Zelophehad and the five (5) living sons of Gilead. (Clarke) III. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. A. This refers to the territory east of the Jordan River. Joseph 17:7, The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Micmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. (NIV) I. The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Micmethath east of Shechem. A. The territory of Asher lay laong the Mediterranean coast from the Kishon River northward to the Litani River enclosure of Tyre.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 14 1. The southern border of Asher joined Manasseh s northeast border. B. Micmethath was located on the border of Ephraim and Manasseh. (Youngblood) 1. Little more is known of the exact location of Micmethath. (Coffman) C. Shechem (shoulder) was an ancient fortified city in central Canaan located on the slope of Mount Ebal. (Youngblood) D. Asher, Zebulun and Issachar bordered Manasseh on the north while Dan, Ephraim and Benjamin bordered Manasseh on the south. The Mediterranean sea was Manasseh s western boundary while the Jordan River was Manasseh s eastern boundary. II. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. A. En Tappuah (apple spring) was located on the border between Manasseh and Ephraim and may be the same place as Tappuah, a city of Ephraim but is not to be confused with Tappuah in the lowlands of Judah. (Youngblood) 1. Joshua 16:8, From Tappuah the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, clan by clan. NIV) 2. Joshua 12:17, the king of Tappuah one the king of Hepher one (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 15 Joshua 17:8, (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) (NIV) I. (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, A. See II-A above for the location of En Tappuah. II. but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) Joshua 17:9, Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the sea. (NIV) I. Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine or gorge. A. This break, ravine was located on the boundary between the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh. B. The river Kanah, literally the river or valley of reeds, formed part of the northern boundary of Manasseh. (Clarke) II. These were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, III. but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine, IV. and ended at the sea. Joshua 17:10, On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 16 I. On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, II. on the north to Manasseh. III. The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and, IV. bordered Asher on the north and, V. and Issachar on the east. A. Clarke wrote, it does appear that in several cases the tribes were intermingled; for Manasseh had several towns, both in Issachar and in Asher. Joshua 17:11, Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth). (NIV) I. Within Issacher and Asher, Manasseh also had, II. Beth Shan, A. Beth Shan was a city at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys. (Youngblood) 1. Beth Shan was located some eleven (11) miles southeast of Megiddo. (Ziese) 2. It was to the wall of this city that the bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened by the victorious Philistines following the battle on Mt. Gilboa. (Coffman) a. 1 Samuel 31:12, all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 17 III. Ibleam and, bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. (NIV) A. Ibleam was a town in the territory of Issachar assigned to the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan River. (Youngblood) 1. Ibleam could have been the same place as Bileam, a levitical city. a. 1 Chronicles 6:70, And from half the tribe of Manasseh the Israelites gave Aner and Bileam, together with their pasturelands, to the rest of the Kohathite clans. (NIV) 2. Ibleam was located about ten (10) miles southeast of Megiddo. (Youngblood) IV. the people of Dor, A. Dor was a Canaanite town on the Mediterranean coast south of Mount Carmel and about eight (8) miles north of Caesarea. (Youngblood) and sixteen (16) miles west of Megiddo. (Ziese) on the road to Tyre. (Clarke) V. Endor, A. Endor (fountain or well of habitation) is thought to have been located about six (6) miles southeast of Nazareth. B. Endor became infamous because of Saul s consulting the witch of Endor whose background may have been rooted in Canaanite heathen religious practice.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 18 1. 1 Samuel 28:1-25, In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army." David said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do." Achish replied, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life." Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." "There is one in Endor," they said. So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name." But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritualists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?" Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this." Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" The king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said, "I see a spirit coming up out of the ground." "What does he look like?" he asked. "An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 19 himself with his face to the ground. Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" "I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do." Samuel said, "Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors to David. Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today. The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines." Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night. When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, "Look, your maidservant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way." He refused and said, "I will not eat." But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch. The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 20 C. However, Ziese holds that the Endor of this verse (11) was a now unknown site in the territory of Manasseh and is not to be confused with the Endor of V-A and B above. D. Coffman wrote that Endor was located four (4) miles south of Mt. Tabor. VI. Taanach and,,,, A. Taanach was an ancient royal Canaanite city, occupied by the tribe of Manasseh and assigned to Kohath Levites. (Youngblood) VII. Megiddo, 1. Joshua 21:25, From half the tribe of Manasseh they received Taanach and Gath Rimmon, together with their pasturelands two towns. (NIV) 2. Taanach was located on the southwestern edge of the Valley of Jezreel about five (5) miles southeast of Megiddo. a. Taanach guarded a pass over Mt. Carmel. 3. Taanach was the site of the battle between Deborah and Barak and the kings of Canaan. a. Judges 5:19, "Kings came, they fought; the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they carried off no silver, no plunder. (NIV) A. Megiddo was a walled city east of the Carmel Mountain range and the site of many Old Testament battles. (Youngblood)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 21 B. Megiddo was located on the main road which linked Egypt and Syria. (Youngblood) C. Megiddo overlooked the Valley of Jezreel (Plain of Esdraelon) (Youngblood) 1. Megiddo rested on the southwestern rim of the Jezreel Valley. D. Note: Armageddon is a compound word that means mountain of Megiddo. (Youngblood) VIII. together with their surrounding settlements, IX. (the third in the list is Naphoth). A. Ziese observed that exactly what list is here referenced is unknown, but suggests that these villages may have surrounded Megiddo three layers out. B. Coffman identified the three heights as En-dor, Taanach, and Megiddo. Note: This territory assigned to Manasseh is penetrated by wide valleys. Rain produced rich agricultural zones in the west excellent for farming and areas in the east with less rain good for herding. (Ziese) Joseph 17:12, Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. (NIV) I. Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 22 A. These towns above mentioned had been allotted to Manasseh but remained populated by Canaanites. B. The failure of Manasseh to drive out the Caanites is placed in sharp contrast with Caleb s valiant courage and military successes. (See Ziese). C. This can t do, what we have been given is not enough, we want something better attitude displeased God and Joseph. (See Ziese) 1. Manasseh revealed here a lost hope attitude and a questioning of the system by which land allotments were made. (See Ziese) Joshua 17:13, However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely. (NIV) I. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor, II. but did not drive them out completely. Joshua 17:14, The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly." (NIV) I. The people of Joseph said to Joshua, A. Joshua was a person of Joseph of the tribe of Ephraim, but he was a man of courage and faith who was not at all sympathetic to these request of his relatives of little faith and less courage.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 23 II. Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? III. We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly. Joshua 17:15, "If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites." (NIV) I. If you are so numerous (great), Joshua answered, and if the hill country of Ehraim is too small for you, A. Joshua did not share Manasseh s opinion of their importance, but did make it clear Manasseh could do better than they had done. II. go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there, A. Joseph had been given choice land some of which was forested. B. Joshua said they should not beg for more land, but to avail themselves of what they had. III. in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites. A. Perizzites 1. Judges 1:4-5, When Judah attacked, the LORD gave the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. It was there that they found Adoni-Bezek and fought against him, putting to rout the Canaanites and Perizzites. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 24 2. Genesis 13:7, And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. (NIV) 3. Judges 3:5-6, The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. (NIV) 4. 1 Kings 9:20, All the people left from the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites (these peoples were not Israelites), (NIV) 5. Deuteronomy 7:1, When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you- (NIV) 6. Exodus 3:7, 8, The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (NIV) B. Rephaites 1. Genesis 14:5, In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 25 Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim (NIV) 2. Genesis 15:20, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, (NIV) 3. Deuteronomy 3:11, 13, (Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.) The rest of Gilead and also all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half tribe of Manasseh. (The whole region of Argob in Bashan used to be known as a land of the Rephaites. (NIV) 4. 2 Samuel 5:17-22, When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you." So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me." So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; (NIV) 5. 2 Samuel 23:13, During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 26 Joshua 17:16, The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel." (NIV) I. The people of Joseph replied, II. The hill country is not enough for us, A. This refers to Mt. Giboa and the surrounding hill country. (Clarke) III. and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, A. Regrettably, this negative altitude persisted and the house of Joseph paid dearly for their lack of faith and failure to obey God in this matter. B. God was on Manasseh s side, but Manasseh was afraid of iron chariots. IV. both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and, A. Beth Shan (Beth Shean) was a city located at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan Valley at the crossroads leading from Egypt to Damascus and from the Mediterranean sea to the east. V. those in the Valley of Jezreel. A. The Valley of Jezreel separates Samaria from Galilee. (Youngblood) 1. The Valley of Jezreel is also called the plain of Eschaelon, the great fertile plain of central Palestine; it extended from Carmel on the west to the hills of Gilboa, Little Herman, and
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 27 Tabor on the east, a distance of sixteen (16) miles, with a breadth of about twelve (12) miles. (Coffman) Joshua 17:17-18, But Joshua said to the house of Joseph to Ephraim and Manasseh-"You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out." (NIV) I. But Joshua said to the house of Joseph II. to Ephraim and Manasseh III. You are numerous and very powerful, A. Joshua s opinions of Manasseh s abilities were much more positive than Manasseh s opinion of themselves. IV. You will have not only one allotment, V. but the forested hill country as well, VI. clear it and its farthest limits will be yours, VII. though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, VIII. you can drive them out. A. Deuteronomy 20:1, When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. (NIV)
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 28 Note: Joshua gave the people of Manasseh two choices; (1) clear the land or (2) defeat the Canaanites. Manasseh rejected both options, one (1) because they were lazy and two (2) because they were cowards. Their conduct was the very opposite of that of Caleb s conduct. A. Numbers 13:30, Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (NIV) B. Joshua 14:6-15, Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 29 the greatest man among the Anakites.) Then the land had rest from war. (NIV) Conclusion: I. Why didn t Ephraim and Manasseh drive out the Canaanites as God had commanded? (Coffman) A. Indolence. B. Love of ease. C. Perhaps a mistaken humanity. D. Disregard of the Divine command. E. Lack of faith, trust in God. F. Lack of zeal for God s service. G. Love of this present world. H. Attraction to sensual heathen religious practices. 1. Judges 2:11-13, Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. (NIV) 2. John 3:18-19, He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 30 only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (KJV) I. Self-aggrandizement. II. Why don t we drive the devil out of our lives as God has commanded? III. Clarke wrote that Manasseh during their entire history had a dissatisfied mind, and hence were rarely contented. A. Joshua treated his discontented relatives with firmness. B. Joshua did not spoil Manasseh. That would have made them weaker and more demanding. C. Joshua did not encourage Manasseh s slothfulness. To have done so would have made them lazier yet.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 31 Questions Joshua 17:1-18 1. Which descendants of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River. Which descendants of Manasseh settled west of the Jordan River? 2. What were the rights of primeogeniture? 3. Who was Makir? 4. Who and what was Gilead?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 32 5. What traits characterized the Makirites? 6. Name the grandsons of Makir through Gilead. 7. Name the sons and daughters of Zelophehad. Who was Zelophedad? 8. What concession, and on what condition did Moses make to Zelophehad s children? 9. Why was this condition important to the tribe of Manasseh?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 33 10. was a of. He did what without. 11. How many tracts of land did Manasseh s descendants receive? Name the people who receive each of these tracts. 12. Why did Hepher s descendants receive five lots, tracts of land while his brothers descendants received only one each? 13. Give the boundaries of the territory allotted to Manasseh west of the Jordan River. 14. In several cases it appears the tribes were intermingled; for had, both in and.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 34 15. Give information, things that happened, at Endor, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Beth Shan and Mt. Gilboa. 16. In what list is Naphoth the third town? What are the first and second towns in this list? 17. Why did the Manassites not drive the Canaanites out of their territory? Give as many reasons as possible. 18. Compare/contrast this failure of Manasseh with Caleb s and Joshua s accomplishments.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 35 19. What accommodation, compromise did Manasseh and the Canaanites make. See verse 13. 20. Who were the people of Joseph? What did they ask Joshua? 21. Was it true that they had been given only one allotment, one portion? Didn t Manasseh have two allotments, one on the east and one on the west of the Jordan River and didn t Ephraim have yet a separate portion? 22. Why did Manasseh think they were entitled to more? Why do we think we are entitled to more?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 36 23. What was Joshua s response to Manasseh s request? Was God pleased with their request? 24. What was the response of the people of Joseph to Joshua s proposal? Did the people of Joseph think Joshua would give them special consideration because he was related to them? 25. Locate and describe the Valley of Jezreel. 26. What was Joshua s counter proposal? See verse 17-18. 27. Contrast Joshua s attitude with the attitude of Ephraim and Manasseh?
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 37 28. What would have been the results of Joshua s yielding to these demands of Ephraim and Manasseh? 29. Why didn t Ephraim and Manasseh not drive out the Canaanites and/or comply with Joshua s directives? 30. Look around. Look at yourself. Do you see more Joshua s and Caleb s or more sons of Joseph? What effect does this have on your life, community, country, world?
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