Joshua 17:2

"This was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan."

Key Reflection

This passage highlights the special status of Manasseh as Joseph's firstborn, though ultimately it is God who determines tribal inheritances through divine lot. The privilege granted to Machir, a man of valor, underscores how military prowess could influence land allocations within the tribes, reflecting both familial and martial distinctions in ancient Israelite society.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

For the rest ... -i. e. for those who were not settled on the east of Jordan.

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