Joshua 17:6

because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.

Study Bible

because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons.
This phrase highlights a significant moment in biblical history where the daughters of Zelophehad, who were of the tribe of Manasseh, received an inheritance. This was unusual in ancient Israelite culture, where inheritance typically passed through male descendants. The daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—approached Moses and Eleazar the priest, requesting a share of the inheritance since their father had no sons (Numbers 27:1-11). God instructed Moses to grant their request, setting a precedent for inheritance rights for women in Israel. This event underscores the importance of justice and equity in God's law and reflects God's care for all His people, regardless of gender. It also foreshadows the New Testament principle of equality in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.
Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. It was part of the territory allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh, which settled on the east side of the Jordan, along with the tribes of Reuben and Gad (Numbers 32:1-5, 33-42). The allocation of Gilead to the rest of the sons of Manasseh indicates the division of land among the tribe, with some settling east of the Jordan and others west. This division reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 15:18-21) and demonstrates the complexity of tribal inheritances in Israel. The land of Gilead later became significant in biblical history, serving as a backdrop for events involving figures like Jephthah (Judges 11) and Elijah (1 Kings 17:1).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Daughters of Manasseh
These are the female descendants of Manasseh, one of the tribes of Israel. They are significant because they received an inheritance, which was unusual in the patriarchal society of ancient Israel.

2. Manasseh
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after Joseph's firstborn son. The tribe was divided into two half-tribes, one on each side of the Jordan River.

3. Gilead
A region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. It was part of the inheritance given to the tribe of Manasseh.

4. Inheritance
In the context of ancient Israel, inheritance typically referred to the allocation of land among the tribes. It was a crucial aspect of maintaining family lineage and tribal identity.

5. Descendants of Manasseh
Refers to the broader family and tribal group that descended from Manasseh, including both male and female members.

Teaching Points

Equality in God's Kingdom
The inclusion of the daughters of Manasseh in the inheritance highlights God's recognition of equality and justice, even in a patriarchal society. This serves as a reminder that God's kingdom transcends human social structures.

Faith and Action
The daughters of Manasseh, like Zelophehad's daughters, took action to claim their inheritance. This teaches us the importance of faith coupled with action in pursuing God's promises.

God's Faithfulness
The allocation of land to the daughters of Manasseh demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, regardless of societal norms.

Breaking Cultural Norms
The account encourages believers to challenge cultural norms that are not aligned with God's principles of justice and equality.

Inheritance in Christ
Just as the daughters of Manasseh received a physical inheritance, believers today have a spiritual inheritance in Christ, which is available to all, regardless of gender or social status.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of the daughters of Manasseh receiving an inheritance challenge the cultural norms of their time, and what can we learn from this for today's society?

2. In what ways does the account of the daughters of Manasseh receiving an inheritance connect with the New Testament teachings on equality in Christ?

3. How can we apply the principle of faith coupled with action, as demonstrated by the daughters of Manasseh, in our own lives today?

4. What does the allocation of land to the daughters of Manasseh teach us about God's faithfulness and His promises?

5. How can the concept of inheritance in the Old Testament help us understand our spiritual inheritance in Christ as described in the New Testament?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Numbers 27
This chapter recounts the account of Zelophehad's daughters, who appealed to Moses for the right to inherit their father's land. This precedent set the stage for the daughters of Manasseh to receive their inheritance.

Galatians 3
Paul speaks about the equality of all believers in Christ, which echoes the breaking of traditional gender roles seen in the inheritance rights of the daughters of Manasseh.

Deuteronomy 21
Discusses laws of inheritance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family lineage and property within the tribe.