Manasseh’s Western Inheritance

1Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget) as Joseph’s (YHWH has added) firstborn son, namely for Machir (sold) the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites (rocky region), who had received Gilead and Bashan (fruitful) because Machir was a man of war. 2So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh (causing to forget)—the clans of Abiezer (Iezer),a Helek (portion), Asriel (I shall be prince of God), Shechem (shoulder), Hepher (a well), and Shemida (wise). These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph (YHWH has added).

3But Zelophehad (first-born) son of Hepher (a well) (the son of Gilead (rocky region), the son of Machir (sold), the son of Manasseh (causing to forget)) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah (disease), Noah (motion), Hoglah (partridge), Milcah (queen), and Tirzah (favorable). 4They approached Eleazar (God has helped) the priest, Joshua (YHWH saves) son of Nun (fish / posterity), and the leaders, and said, “The LORD {YHWH} commanded Moses (drawn out) to give us an inheritance among our brothers.”

So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD. 5Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh (causing to forget), in addition to the land of Gilead (rocky region) and Bashan (fruitful) beyond the Jordan (flowing down), 6because the daughters of Manasseh (causing to forget) received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead (rocky region) belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.

7Now the border of Manasseh (causing to forget) went from Asher (happy) to Michmethath (hiding place) near Shechem (shoulder), then southward to include the inhabitants of En-tappuah (fountain of the apple-city). 8The region of Tappuah (the apple city) belonged to Manasseh (causing to forget), but Tappuah itself, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to Ephraim (doubly fruitful). 9From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah (reed). There were cities belonging to Ephraim (doubly fruitful) among the cities of Manasseh (causing to forget), but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea (the Mediterranean Sea).b 10Ephraim’s territory (doubly fruitful) was to the south, and Manasseh’s (causing to forget) was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher (happy) on the north and Issachar (there is recompense) on the east.

11Within Issachar (there is recompense) and Asher (happy) (house of ease), Manasseh (causing to forget) was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam (devouring the people), Dor (generation) (that is, Naphath), Endor (fountain of Dor), Taanach (sandy), and Megiddo (place of crowds), each with their surrounding settlements.

12But the descendants of Manasseh (causing to forget) were unable to occupy these cities, because the Canaanites (merchants) were determined to stay in this land. 13However, when the Israelites (God prevails) grew stronger, they put the Canaanites (merchants) to forced labor; but they failed to drive them out completely.

14Then the sons of Joseph (YHWH has added) said to Joshua (YHWH saves), “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD {YHWH} has blessed us abundantly.”

15Joshua (YHWH saves) answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim (doubly fruitful) is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites (villagers) and the Rephaim.”

16“The hill country is not enough for us,” they (YHWH has added) replied, “and all the Canaanites (merchants) who live in the valley (house of ease) have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel (God sows).”

17So Joshua (YHWH saves) said to the house of Joseph (YHWH has added)—to Ephraim (doubly fruitful) and Manasseh (causing to forget)—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment, 18because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out (merchants).”