Lexical Summary Makiri: Makirite Original Word: מָכִירִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of Machir Patronymical from Makiyr; a Makirite or descend. Of Makir -- of Machir. see HEBREW Makiyr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Makir Definition desc. of Machir NASB Translation Machirites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָכִירִי adjective, of a people only with article ׳הַמּ as substantive collective the Machirites Numbers 26:29. Topical Lexicon Identity and Definition The term מָכִירִי (Machiri) designates a member of the clan that descended from Machir, the firstborn son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph. In English it is often rendered “Machirite.” The single explicit use of the word appears in Numbers 26:29, where Scripture distinguishes this clan during the second wilderness census. Biblical Occurrence Numbers 26:29: “The descendants of Manasseh: through Machir, the Machirite clan; Machir was the father of Gilead; through Gilead, the Gileadite clan.” While the precise noun “Machirite” is unique to this verse, the narrative streams that flow from the house of Machir surface repeatedly in later passages, illuminating the family’s role in Israel’s settlement, warfare, and leadership. Historical Background: Machir and His Lineage 1. Patriarchal Roots 2. Prominence within Manasseh 3. Formation of the Machirite Clan Territorial Inheritance • Conquest East of the Jordan – Numbers 32:39-40 records that the sons of Machir captured Gilead and were granted possession of it by Moses. – Deuteronomy 3:15 reaffirms that “I gave Gilead to Machir,” highlighting their strategic frontier position. – Joshua 13:31 and 17:1-6 specify boundaries reaching from Gilead to the region of Bashan. – Their lands provided natural defenses and fertile plateaus, making the Machirite territory one of the strongest holdings in Transjordan. Military Contributions • Judges 5:14 credits “those from Machir” with taking the field alongside Deborah and Barak against Canaanite oppression. Notable Individuals from the House of Machir • Jair son of Manasseh (a Machirite sub-chief) captured twenty-three towns in Gilead and Bashan (Numbers 32:41; 1 Kings 4:13). Spiritual and Theological Significance 1. Faithfulness to Covenant Mandates Implications for Ministry and Discipleship • Stewardship of Inheritance – Like the Machirites, believers are called to occupy fully the territory—spiritual or vocational—entrusted to them (Colossians 4:17). – The clan’s history teaches that effective service combines bold action with compassionate outreach (Ephesians 4:15). – Machir’s descendants maintained covenant identity across centuries. Modern ministry likewise flourishes when it cultivates a heritage that anchors future generations in scriptural truth (2 Timothy 2:2). Summary The solitary occurrence of “Machirite” in Numbers 26:29 opens a window onto a clan whose impact far exceeds its brief lexical footprint. From conquest to compassion, the Machirites embody covenant fidelity, demonstrating that every named group in Scripture—however seemingly minor—contributes meaningfully to the unfolding redemptive narrative. Forms and Transliterations הַמָּכִירִ֔י המכירי ham·mā·ḵî·rî hammachiRi hammāḵîrîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:29 HEB: לְמָכִיר֙ מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַמָּכִירִ֔י וּמָכִ֖יר הוֹלִ֣יד NAS: the family of the Machirites; and Machir KJV: the family of the Machirites: and Machir INT: of Machir the family of the Machirites and Machir became 1 Occurrence |
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