There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.

JOSHUA 17:1KJV
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Joshua 17:1 (KJV)

What does Joshua 17:1 mean?

Joshua 17:1 explains that the tribe of Manasseh, descended from Joseph’s firstborn son, received a portion of land. Specifically, Machir, Manasseh’s firstborn and the father of Gilead, was given the regions of Gilead and Bashan because he was a distinguished warrior.

This verse comes as Joshua is dividing the land of Canaan among the Israelite tribes after their conquest. The focus is on Manasseh’s lineage, highlighting Machir’s military reputation as the reason his family received the eastern territories of Gilead and Bashan. The verse sets up the distribution of land based on both ancestry and notable deeds.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 17:1

  • "lot" (גּוֹרָל, goral): This word refers to the method of assigning land by casting lots, showing that the division was seen as guided by God rather than human choice.
  • "firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bekhor): This term emphasizes the special status and inheritance rights of Machir as Manasseh’s eldest son, which affected the land distribution.
  • "man of war" (אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה, ish milchamah): This phrase highlights Machir’s reputation as a capable warrior, which is given as the reason for his family’s possession of the strategic and contested lands of Gilead and Bashan.

Why Joshua 17:1 matters

  • Joshua 17:1 clarifies that not all land assignments were based solely on family lines; notable achievements, like Machir’s military leadership, also played a role.
  • The verse connects the inheritance of Gilead and Bashan to earlier events in Israel’s history, where these lands were taken by force east of the Jordan.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why some tribes, like Manasseh, had territory both east and west of the Jordan River, which becomes important in later biblical narratives.

Where else these words appear

“Machir” Hebrew H4353 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 50:23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
  • Deuteronomy 3:15 And I gave Gilead unto Machir.
  • 2 Samuel 17:27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.

“lot” Hebrew H1486 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
  • Joshua 19:32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

“firstborn” Hebrew H1060 · used in 96 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Numbers 3:40 And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.