Manasseh’s Western Inheritance

1And there was a lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, and were given to him Gilead and Bashan. 2And there was for the remaining sons of Manasseh—for their clans, for the sons of Abiezer,† and the sons of Helek, and the sons of Asriel, and the sons of Shechem, and the sons of Hepher, and the sons of Shemida; these were the sons of Manasseh son of Joseph, males by their clans.

3And Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had unto him no sons, but only daughters. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4And they came near before the face of Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua son of Nun, and before the rulers, saying, “YHWH commanded Moses to give to us an inheritance among our brothers.”

And he gave to them according to the commandment of YHWH an inheritance in the midst of the brothers of their father. 5And ten portions fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan that was on the other side of the Jordan, 6because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance in the midst of his sons. And the land of Gilead was for the rest of the sons of Manasseh.

7And the territory of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which is on the face of Shechem, and the border went along on the south to those dwelling in En-tappuah. 8To Manasseh was the land of Tappuah, and Tappuah on the border of Manasseh was to the sons of Ephraim. 9And the border descended to the Brook of Kanah, southward to the brook; these cities of Ephraim are in the midst of the cities of Manasseh. And the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and its outgoing was at the sea.† 10Southward was to Ephraim, and northward to Manasseh, and the sea was its border, and in Asher it met on the north, and in Issachar on the east.

11And to Manasseh was in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its daughters, and Ibleam and its daughters, and those dwelling in Dor and its daughters, and those dwelling in Endor and its daughters, and those dwelling in Taanach and its daughters, and those dwelling in Megiddo and its daughters (the third is Naphath).

12And the sons of Manasseh could not occupy these cities, and the Canaanite was determined to dwell in this land. 13And it came to pass, when the sons of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanite to forced labor; and they did not dispossess him completely.

14And the sons of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given to me an inheritance of one lot and one portion, when I am a numerous people, forasmuch as that until now YHWH has blessed us?”

15And Joshua answered to them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest and create for yourself there in the land of the Perizzite and the Rephaim, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”

16And the sons of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us, and a chariot of iron is with every Canaanite who is dwelling in the land of the valley who are of Beth-shean and its daughters, and who are of the Valley of Jezreel.”

17And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, “You are a great people, and great power is unto you. Not just one lot shall be unto you. 18But the hill country shall be unto you, because it is wooded. And you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be unto you, for you shall drive out the Canaanite, though a chariot of iron is unto him, and though he is strong.”