Joshua 17

1 cecidit autem sors tribui Manasse ipse est enim primogenitus Ioseph Machir primogenito Manasse patri Galaad qui fuit vir pugnator habuitque possessionem Galaad et Basan

2 et reliquis filiorum Manasse iuxta familias suas filiis Abiezer et filiis Elech et filiis Esrihel et filiis Sechem et filiis Epher et filiis Semida isti sunt filii Manasse filii Ioseph mares per cognationes suas

3 Salphaad vero filio Epher filii Galaad filii Machir filii Manasse non erant filii sed solae filiae quarum ista sunt nomina Maala et Noa Egla et Melcha et Thersa

4 veneruntque in conspectu Eleazari sacerdotis et Iosue filii Nun et principum dicentes Dominus praecepit per manum Mosi ut daretur nobis possessio in medio fratrum nostrorum deditque eis iuxta imperium Domini possessionem in medio fratrum patris earum

5 et ceciderunt funiculi Manasse decem absque terra Galaad et Basan trans Iordanem

6 filiae enim Manasse possederunt hereditatem in medio filiorum eius terra autem Galaad cecidit in sortem filiorum Manasse qui reliqui erant

7 fuitque terminus Manasse ab Aser Machmathath quae respicit Sychem et egreditur ad dextram iuxta habitatores fontis Taffuae

8 etenim in sorte Manasse ceciderat terra Taffuae quae est iuxta terminos Manasse filiorum Ephraim

9 descenditque terminus vallis Harundineti in meridiem torrentis civitatum Ephraim quae in medio sunt urbium Manasse terminus Manasse ab aquilone torrentis et exitus eius pergit ad mare

10 ita ut ab austro sit possessio Ephraim et ab aquilone Manasse et utramque claudat mare et coniungantur sibi in tribu Aser ab aquilone et in tribu Isachar ab oriente

11 fuitque hereditas Manasse in Isachar et in Aser Bethsan et viculi eius et Ieblaam cum villulis suis et habitatores Dor cum oppidis suis habitatores quoque Hendor cum villulis suis similiterque habitatores Thanach cum villulis suis et habitatores Mageddo cum viculis suis et tertia pars urbis Nofeth

12 nec potuerunt filii Manasse has subvertere civitates sed coepit Chananeus habitare in terra ista

13 postquam autem convaluerunt filii Israhel subiecerunt Chananeos et fecerunt sibi tributarios nec interfecerunt eos

14 locutique sunt filii Ioseph ad Iosue atque dixerunt quare dedisti mihi possessionem sortis et funiculi unius cum sim tantae multitudinis et benedixerit mihi Dominus

15 ad quos Iosue ait si populus multus es ascende in silvam et succide tibi spatia in terra Ferezei et Rafaim quia angusta est tibi possessio montis Ephraim

16 cui responderunt filii Ioseph non poterimus ad montana conscendere cum ferreis curribus utantur Chananei qui habitant in terra campestri in qua sitae sunt Bethsan cum viculis suis et Iezrahel mediam possidens vallem

17 dixitque Iosue ad domum Ioseph Ephraim et Manasse populus multus es et magnae fortitudinis non habebis sortem unam

18 sed transibis ad montem et succides tibi atque purgabis ad habitandum spatia et poteris ultra procedere cum subverteris Chananeum quem dicis ferreos habere currus et esse fortissimum

Joshua 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

The lot of Manasseh. (1-6) The boundaries of Manasseh, The Canaanites not driven out. (7-13) Joseph desires a larger portion. (14-18)

Verses 1-6 Manasseh was but half of the tribe of Joseph, yet it was divided into two parts. The daughters of Zelophehad now reaped the benefit of their pious zeal and prudent forecast. Those who take care in the wilderness of this world, to make sure to themselves a place in the inheritance of the saints in light, will have the comfort of it in the other world; while those who neglect it now, will lose it for ever. Lord, teach us here to believe and obey, and give us an inheritance among thy saints, in glory everlasting.

Verses 7-13 There was great communication between Manasseh and Ephraim. Though each tribe had its inheritance, yet they should intermix one with another, to do good offices one to another, as became those, who, though of different tribes, were all one Israel, and were bound to love as brethren. But they suffered the Canaanites to live among them, against the command of God, to serve their own ends.

Verses 14-18 Joshua, as a public person, had no more regard to his own tribe than to any other, but would govern without favour or affection; wherein he has left a good example to all in public trusts. Joshua tells them, that what was fallen to their share would be a sufficient lot for them, if they would but work and fight. Men excuse themselves from labour by any pretence; and nothing serves the purpose better than having rich and powerful relations, able to provide for them; and they are apt to desire a partial and unfaithful disposal of what is intrusted to those they think able to give such help. But there is more real kindness in pointing out the advantages within reach, and in encouraging men to make the best of them, than in granting indulgences to sloth and extravagance. True religion gives no countenance to these evils. The rule is, They shall not eat who will not work; and many of our "cannots" are only the language of idleness, which magnifies every difficulty and danger. This is especially the case in our spiritual work and warfare. Without Christ we can do nothing, but we are apt to sit still and attempt nothing. if we belong to Him, he will stir us up to our best endeavours, and to cry to him for help. Then our coast ( 1 Chronicles. 4:9 1 Chronicles. 4:10 ) rather, turned into joyful thanksgivings.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 17

This chapter gives an account of the lot that fell to the half tribe of Manasseh, to the male children of Manasseh, and to the daughters of Zelophehad, Jos 17:1-6; and describes the coast of that lot, Jos 17:7-13; and relates the request of the sons of Joseph, to have their lot enlarged, which was granted, Jos 17:14-18.