A Lot for the Tribe of Manasseh - Joshua 17:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages, and they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute”, and in chapter seventeen and verse one of Joshua we learn how, “there was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh” where we read,

There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.

The verse reads, “There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “there was also a lot” or “there existed even so and indeed a portion or share” “for the tribe of Manasseh” which means “on behalf of the clan or people group belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”: “for he was the firstborn of Joseph” or “because, since and on account that he, Manasseh, existed as the firstling, eldest or child who was born first belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah had added’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel”. Joshua or the writer shared how there indeed existed a portion of land provided to the clan of “Manasseh” because “Manasseh” was the child who was born first to “Joseph”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “to wit” which means “to perceive and know”, “for Machir” or “because, since and on account that Machir whose name means ‘sold’ and was the eldest son of Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine and progenitor of a large family” “the firstborn of Manasseh” which means “the existed as the firstling, elder or child who was born first pertaining to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”, “the father of Gilead” or “the immediate progenitor and ancestor belonging to Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead”: “because he was a man of war” which means “since and on account that he, Machir, existed as a male human being pertaining to fighting and battle”, “therefore he had Gilead” or “wherefore, then and on this account he, Machir, produced Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'” “and Bashan” whose name means “fruitful” and was “a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared how the child born to “Manasseh” first was a warrior of battle and produced both “Gilead and Bashan”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer about the inheritance provided to the “tribe of Manasseh” and his family which consisted of his “firstborn” warrior son “Machir” who produced “Gilead and Bashan”. “Manasseh” was divided into two groups, and the first half received their portion on the eastern side of the Jordan River, and the other half received their inheritance within the promise land. Just as God said, He gave the territory to each of the “tribes of Israel” including “Manasseh”. God provides for people, and when they receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and equip them with His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and empower them to live wherever He places them in the world in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “there was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".