Yahusha Ba'Nun (Joshua) — 17

The Land Given to West Manassah

1 The next allotment of land was given to the half-tribe of Manassah, the descendants of Ya'asaf’s older son. Makir, the firstborn son of Manassah, was the father of Gilaad. Because his descendants were experienced soldiers, the regions of Gilaad and Bashan on the east side of the Yurdan had already been given to them. 

2 So the allotment on the west side of the Yurdan was for the remaining families within the clans of the tribe of Manassah: Abiazar, Halak, Asrial, Shacham, Haphar, and Shamida. These clans represent the male descendants of Manassah son of Ya'asaf.

3 However, Zaluphahad, a descendant of Haphar son of Gilaad, son of Makir, son of Manassah, had no sons. He had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Nuah, Huglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 

4 These women came to Alaazar the Kuhan, Yahusha Ba'Nun, and the Yasharalym leaders and said, “𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH commanded Musha to give us a grant of land along with the men of our tribe.” So Yahusha gave them a grant of land along with their uncles, as  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had commanded. 

5 As a result, Manassah’s total allocation came to ten parcels of land, in addition to the land of Gilaad and Bashan across the Yurdan River, 

6 because the female descendants of Manassah received a grant of land along with the male descendants. (The land of Gilaad was given to the rest of the male descendants of Manassah.)

7 The boundary of the tribe of Manassah extended from the border of Ashar to Micmathath, near Shacham. Then the boundary went south from Micmathath to the settlement near the spring of Tappuah. 

8 The land surrounding Tappuah belonged to Manassah, but the town of Tappuah itself, on the border of Manassah’s territory, belonged to the tribe of Aphraim. 

9 From the spring of Tappuah, the boundary of Manassah followed the Kanah Ravine to the Mediterranean Sea. Several towns south of the ravine were inside Manassah’s territory, but they actually belonged to the tribe of Aphraim. 

10 In general, however, the land south of the ravine belonged to Aphraim, and the land north of the ravine belonged to Manassah. Manassah’s boundary ran along the northern side of the ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. North of Manassah was the territory of Ashar, and to the east was the territory of Issachar.

11 The following towns within the territory of Issachar and Ashar, however, were given to Manassah: Bath-shan, Iblaam, Dur (that is, Naphuth-dur), Andur, Taanach, and Magiddu, each with their surrounding settlements.

12 But the descendants of Manassah were unable to occupy these towns because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region. 

13 Later, however, when the Yasharalym became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.

14 The descendants of Ya'asaf came to Yahusha and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has Baraked us with so many people?”

15 Yahusha replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Aphraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Parizzites and Raphaites live.”

16 The descendants of Ya'asaf responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Bath-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Yazraal. They are too strong for us.”

17 Then Yahusha Ba'Nun said to the tribes of Aphraim and Manassah, the descendants of Ya'asaf, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion. 

18 The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”