Joshua 17:5
Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan,
Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh,

The allotment included the inheritance granted to Zelophehad’s five daughters alongside the portions assigned through the male clan lines. Their inheritance fulfilled the Lord’s command given through Moses, preserving their father’s name and property within Manasseh (Numbers 27:1–11). God’s ordering of the land demonstrated that every household mattered within His covenant people.

Num 26:54-56 Increase the inheritance for a large tribe…
Jos 14:2 Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine tribes…
Jos 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD…

in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan

The half-tribe of Manasseh had already received these fertile territories east of the Jordan after helping conquer them under Moses (Numbers 32:39–42). Gilead and Bashan provided pastureland and strong cities, displaying the abundance of God’s provision for Joseph’s descendants.

Deu 3:13-15 To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead…
Jos 13:29-31 This is what Moses had given to the clans…
Num 32:33 So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites…

beyond the Jordan,

Manasseh’s inheritance on both sides of the river joined the Transjordan tribes to the tribes settled in Canaan. Though separated by the Jordan, they remained one people under the Lord, sharing in the same covenant, worship, and calling.

Deu 3:20 until the LORD gives rest to your brothers…
Jos 22:4 And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest…
Num 32:19-20 Yet we will not have an inheritance with them…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Manasseh
One of the tribes of Israel, descended from Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph. The tribe was divided into two half-tribes, one on each side of the Jordan River.

2. Gilead
A region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and fertile land. It was part of the inheritance given to the half-tribe of Manasseh.

3. Bashan
Another region east of the Jordan, known for its rich pastures and strong cities. It was also part of the inheritance for the half-tribe of Manasseh.

4. Jordan River
A significant geographical boundary in the Bible, separating the land of Canaan from the territories east of the river.

5. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, responsible for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and distributing the land among the tribes.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The division of the land among the tribes of Israel demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the inheritance of the land.

The Importance of Obedience and Trust
The tribes' willingness to settle in their allotted territories reflects their obedience to God's plan and trust in His provision.

Unity and Diversity in God's People
The division of land shows both the unity of the nation of Israel and the diversity of its tribes, each with unique roles and responsibilities.

The Significance of Inheritance
The concept of inheritance in the Bible is not only about land but also about spiritual heritage and the blessings passed down through generations.

Stewardship of God's Gifts
The land given to the tribes was a gift from God, and they were called to steward it wisely, reflecting our responsibility to manage the resources God entrusts to us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the division of land among the tribes of Israel reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? Consider how this applies to God's promises in your life.

2. In what ways can the obedience of the tribes in accepting their inheritance inspire us to trust and obey God's plan for our lives?

3. How does the unity and diversity among the tribes of Israel relate to the body of Christ today? What role do you play in your faith community?

4. What spiritual inheritance have you received from previous generations, and how can you pass it on to others?

5. How can we practice good stewardship of the resources and gifts God has given us, both individually and as a community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 48
This chapter describes Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which sets the stage for the division of land among their descendants.

Numbers 32
This passage details the request of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to settle in the land east of the Jordan, which is granted by Moses.

Deuteronomy 3
Moses recounts the conquest of the lands of Og, king of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites, which were given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
All Sins to be ConqueredSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJoshua 17:1-18
Cure for ComplainingW. Hoyt, D. D.Joshua 17:1-18
Discontented with Our LotT. L. Cuyler.Joshua 17:1-18
DiscontentmentF. G. Marchant.Joshua 17:1-18
Driving Out the Canaanites and Their Iron ChariotsJoshua 17:1-18
Encroachments not PermissibleW. Seaton.Joshua 17:1-18
Labour the Price of ExcellenceHenry Bacon.Joshua 17:1-18
Little Will, and Thus no WayF. G. Marchant.Joshua 17:1-18
Restless Discontent to be AvoidedT. L. Cuyler.Joshua 17:1-18
RetrospectJoshua 17:1-18
The Complaining of EphraimW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 17:1-18
The Proof of GreatnessA. G. Brown.Joshua 17:1-18
The Responsibility of GreatnessJ. R. Millar, D. D.Joshua 17:1-18
The Rights of WomenW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 17:1-18
The Self-Aggrandising SpiritBp. Chris. Wordsworth.Joshua 17:1-18
What HindersW. Seaton.Joshua 17:1-18
People
Abiezer, Asher, Asriel, Canaanites, Eleazar, Ephraimites, Gileadites, Helek, Hepher, Hoglah, Israelites, Issachar, Jezreel, Joseph, Joshua, Machir, Mahlah, Makirites, Manasseh, Manassites, Milcah, Noah, Nun, Perizzites, Rephaites, Samuel, Shemida, Tappuah, Tirzah, Zelophehad
Places
Bashan, Beth-shan, Dor, En-dor, En-tappuah, Gilead, Ibleam, Jezreel Valley, Jordan River, Kanah, Megiddo, Michmethath, Napheth, Shechem, Taanach, Tappuah
Topics
Addition, Apart, Bashan, Beside, Besides, Beyond, Consisted, East, Fall, Fell, Gilead, Jordan, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Portions, Share, Ten, Thus, Tracts
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 17:1-18

     5235   boundary
     7266   tribes of Israel

Joshua 17:3-6

     5674   daughters

Library
Scythopolis. Beth-Shean, the Beginning of Galilee.
The bonds of Galilee were, "on the south, Samaris and Scythopolis, unto the flood of Jordan." Scythopolis is the same with Beth-shean, of which is no seldom mention in the Holy Scriptures, Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Samuel 31:10. "Bethsaine (saith Josephus), called by the Greeks Scythopolis." It was distant but a little way from Jordan, seated in the entrance to a great valley: for so the same author writes, "Having passed Jordan, they came to a great plain, where lies before you the city Bethsane,"
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
Coming down from Syria, it would have been difficult to fix the exact spot where, in the view of the Rabbis, "the land" itself began. The boundary lines, though mentioned in four different documents, are not marked in anything like geographical order, but as ritual questions connected with them came up for theological discussion. For, to the Rabbis the precise limits of Palestine were chiefly interesting so far as they affected the religious obligations or privileges of a district. And in this respect
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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