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.
The tribe of Manasseh also received their portion of land, since Manasseh was Joseph's firstborn son. Specifically, Machir (who was Manasseh's firstborn and the father of Gilead) received the regions of Gilead and Bashan because he was a skilled warrior.
This verse explains that Machir's family from the tribe of Manasseh received valuable land east of the Jordan River as their inheritance because of their military strength.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Joshua, after the Israelites conquered the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, the territory was divided among the twelve tribes by lot as part of God's fulfillment of His covenant. The tribe of Manasseh, as the firstborn son of Joseph, received specific allocations, including lands for Machir, who was Manasseh's firstborn and known for his military skills, which justified his inheritance of strategic areas like Gilead and Bashan. This reflects the ancient Israelite practice of rewarding warriors with land to ensure the nation's defense and settlement.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.