Lexical Summary Makir: Makir Original Word: מָכִיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Machir From makar; salesman; Makir, an Israelite -- Machir. see HEBREW makar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom makar Definition two Isr. NASB Translation Machir (22). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָכִיר proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Μαχειρ (Sabean מכר Hal4). 1 eldest son of Manasseh; — Genesis 50:23; Numbers 26:29 (twice in verse); Numbers 27:1; Numbers 32:39,40; Numbers 36:1; Deuteronomy 3:15; Joshua 13:31 (twice in verse); Joshua 17:1,3, compare 1 Chronicles 1:21,23; 1 Chronicles 7:14,15,16,17; see also Judges 5:14 (poetry) where = Manasseh. 2 son of `Ammiel 2 Samuel 9:4,5; 2 Samuel 17:27. Topical Lexicon Genealogical foundationsMachir first appears as the eldest son of Manasseh and grandson of Joseph (Genesis 50:23). Jacob’s blessing over Joseph that Manasseh would become “a great people” begins to unfold through Machir. His own son, Gilead, becomes eponymous ancestor of the mountainous region east of the Jordan, so that “Machir, the father of Gilead” becomes a recurring phrase (Joshua 17:1). Inheritance east of the Jordan During the conquest era the descendants of Machir captured the territory of Gilead and Bashan: “The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. So Moses gave Gilead to the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there” (Numbers 32:39-40). Moses’ later summary is concise: “To Machir I gave Gilead” (Deuteronomy 3:15). Joshua reaffirms the allotment (Joshua 13:31; 17:1). Their frontier location made them guardians of Israel’s eastern boundary and placed them in frequent conflict with adjoining peoples. Machirite participation in Israel’s military history The militarily capable character of the Machirites is noted in the second census: “These were the descendants of Manasseh: through Machir, the Machirite clan” (Numbers 26:29). Their valor is celebrated in Deborah’s victory song: “From Machir came commanders” (Judges 5:14). Standing alongside Zebulun, Naphtali, and Ephraim, the Machirites prove faithful when other tribes hesitated, highlighting their commitment to covenant warfare. Legal precedent through the daughters of Zelophehad Zelophehad, a great-great-grandson of Machir, had no sons. His five daughters appealed to Moses for a share in the inheritance (Numbers 27:1-11). The Lord affirmed their request, establishing a lasting statute of female inheritance when no male heir exists. Later, elders of “the clan of the sons of Gilead son of Machir” raised a concern about potential land transfers through marriage (Numbers 36:1-13). The resulting provision safeguarded tribal boundaries while honoring the daughters’ portion. The episode testifies to the justice and flexibility within God’s law and to the ongoing prominence of the Machirites in Israel’s social structure. Machir son of Ammiel: protector and provider A later individual bears the same name yet belongs to the broader clan: “Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar” (2 Samuel 9:4). He first appears as guardian of the orphaned Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan. David summons Mephibosheth “from the house of Machir son of Ammiel” to restore him to the royal table (2 Samuel 9:5-7). Years later, during Absalom’s rebellion, David again benefits from Machir’s generosity: “When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi … Machir son of Ammiel … brought bedding … and food for David and for the people with him to eat” (2 Samuel 17:27-29). In both crises Machir models covenant kindness (ḥesed), anticipating the gospel call to faithful hospitality. Place names and territorial legacy Gilead, Bashan, and the thirty towns of Jair (a Machirite sub-clan; 1 Chronicles 2:22-23) preserve the Machirite footprint. Lo-debar, though located in the inheritance of Gad, appears linked to the same extended family. Chronicles (1 Chronicles 2:21-23; 7:14-17) traces their expansion, recording victories and settlement patterns. The Machirites thus contribute to Israel’s landholdings, defensive strength, and administrative divisions. Ministry reflections 1. Covenant continuity: From Joseph’s embrace of Machir’s infant sons to Moses’ land grant and David’s alliances, the Lord preserves generational promises. Through these diverse appearances, the name Machir becomes entwined with themes of inheritance, courage, fidelity, and grace, showing how one family, firmly rooted in covenant promises, can bless the entire nation and foreshadow the ministry of Christ, “for no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Forms and Transliterations וּלְמָכִ֖יר וּמָכִ֖יר וּמָכִ֞יר וּמָכִ֤יר ולמכיר ומכיר לְמָכִ֖יר לְמָכִיר֙ לְמָכִיר֩ למכיר מָכִ֖יר מָכִ֗יר מָכִ֣יר מָכִ֥יר מָכִ֧יר מָכִיר֙ מכיר lə·mā·ḵîr lemaChir ləmāḵîr mā·ḵîr maChir māḵîr ū·lə·mā·ḵîr ū·mā·ḵîr ulemaChir ūləmāḵîr umaChir ūmāḵîrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 50:23 HEB: גַּ֗ם בְּנֵ֤י מָכִיר֙ בֶּן־ מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה NAS: the sons of Machir, the son KJV: [generation]: the children also of Machir the son INT: also the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh Numbers 26:29 Numbers 26:29 Numbers 27:1 Numbers 32:39 Numbers 32:40 Numbers 36:1 Deuteronomy 3:15 Joshua 13:31 Joshua 13:31 Joshua 17:1 Joshua 17:3 Judges 5:14 2 Samuel 9:4 2 Samuel 9:5 2 Samuel 17:27 1 Chronicles 2:21 1 Chronicles 2:23 1 Chronicles 7:14 1 Chronicles 7:15 1 Chronicles 7:16 1 Chronicles 7:17 22 Occurrences |
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