And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.

1 CHRONICLES 7:29KJV
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1 Chronicles 7:29 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 7:29 mean?

1 Chronicles 7:29 lists several towns and their surrounding villages that were located along the borders of the tribe of Manasseh, specifically naming Bethshean, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor. The verse states that these areas were inhabited by the descendants of Joseph, who was one of the sons of Israel (Jacob).

This verse is part of a genealogical record, where the writer is describing the territories associated with the descendants of Joseph, through his son Manasseh. The focus is on the land distribution among the tribes of Israel, showing which families lived in these important towns and their surrounding areas during ancient times.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 7:29

  • "borders" (יָד, yad): This word often means "hand," but here it refers to the boundary or territory, emphasizing the edge or limit of Manasseh’s land.
  • "towns" (בַּת, bat): Literally meaning "daughters," this word is used to describe the smaller settlements or villages that belong to a main city, highlighting the relationship between a central town and its surrounding communities.
  • "dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This verb means "to sit" or "to dwell," and here it points to the settled, established presence of Joseph’s descendants in these regions.

Why 1 Chronicles 7:29 matters

  • This verse clarifies the specific geographic areas that were associated with the tribe of Manasseh, helping readers understand the historical boundaries of Israel’s tribes.
  • By listing both the main towns and their villages, the verse shows the extent and organization of settlement, not just isolated cities but whole regions inhabited by Joseph’s descendants.
  • The mention of Joseph as "the son of Israel" connects these territories back to the larger story of the patriarchs, reminding readers of the fulfillment of ancestral promises regarding land and inheritance.

Where else these words appear

“Dor” Hebrew H1756 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 11:2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,
  • Joshua 12:23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
  • Judges 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

“Taanach” Hebrew H8590 · used in 7 verses

  • Joshua 12:21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
  • Joshua 21:25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
  • Judges 5:19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

“Bethshean” Hebrew H1052 · used in 8 verses

  • Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.
  • Judges 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
  • 1 Samuel 31:12 All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

“Megiddo” Hebrew H4023 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 12:21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
  • Judges 5:19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
  • 2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.