Manasseh:: Blessing or Moses On
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Manasseh, one of the tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. The tribe descends from Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, an Egyptian woman. Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), was a key figure in the history of Israel, and his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were adopted by Jacob as his own, thus receiving a portion of the inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

The blessing of Moses on the tribe of Manasseh is found in Deuteronomy 33, where Moses, before his death, pronounces blessings on the tribes of Israel. In Deuteronomy 33:13-17, Moses' blessing primarily focuses on Joseph, which includes both Ephraim and Manasseh. The passage reads:

"About Joseph he said: 'May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons, with the best of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills, with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May this rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers. His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.'"

In this blessing, Moses speaks of the prosperity and strength that will come to the descendants of Joseph, including Manasseh. The imagery of abundant land and powerful horns symbolizes both material blessing and military might. The "ten thousands of Ephraim" and "thousands of Manasseh" indicate the relative sizes and influence of the two tribes, with Ephraim being more numerous, yet both being significant in their own right.

The tribe of Manasseh was unique in that it was divided into two half-tribes, one settling on the east side of the Jordan River and the other on the west. This division is a testament to the tribe's size and influence. The eastern half-tribe of Manasseh, along with Reuben and Gad, chose to settle in the fertile lands of Gilead and Bashan, which were well-suited for their large herds and flocks (Numbers 32:33-42).

Throughout Israel's history, the tribe of Manasseh played a crucial role. Notably, Gideon, one of Israel's judges, hailed from the tribe of Manasseh (Judges 6:15). Despite its strengths, the tribe also faced challenges, including periods of idolatry and disobedience, which were common struggles among the tribes of Israel.

In summary, the blessing of Moses on Manasseh highlights the tribe's potential for prosperity and strength, rooted in the favor of God. This blessing, along with the tribe's historical narrative, underscores the themes of divine provision, responsibility, and the consequences of faithfulness or disobedience to God's covenant.
Nave's Topical Index
Deuteronomy 33:13-17
And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Deuteronomy
... is followed by another known as the Blessing of Moses ... it was written by Moses"eg,
"when Moses had made ... in the terrible reign of his son Manasseh, the efforts ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River
... going down to Egypt proved a great blessing to them ... two tribes, named after his two
sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. ... She named him "Moses," a word that means "drawn ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of moses the.htm

The Wilderness.
... Even Moses had his patience worn out by their fretful ... Gad, and half the tribe of
Manasseh, were permitted ... to curse, a glorious stream of blessing flowed from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm

Chapter xlviii
... crossed upon their heads and at once pronounces his blessing. ... Manasseh too shall
be "a people and he too shall ... to say, in the first census of Moses' time the ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... in the Book of Deuteronomy, in which Moses sets good ... 14]." "A blessing and a curse;
a blessing if ye ... already taken place in Judah; for Manasseh, his grandfather ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Chapter xlix
... Joseph is blessed by including Ephraim and Manasseh in one. ... are identified with those
of Judah (Jude 1:3). Already in his blessing (De 33) Moses had passed ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... When Manasseh, a priest, was expelled from Jerusalem by Nehemiah ... insisted that Gerizim,
the Mount of Blessing, was the ... who received the five books of Moses alone ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

The Book of the Law
... But Manasseh had dared set aside these statutes; and during ... a praise in the earth,
a blessing to all ... afraid," Israel had been exhorted through Moses; "for the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

Hezekiah
... "If thou turn to the Lord thy God," Moses had said ... to make the temple services a
real blessing to the ... city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

Questions.
... 30. How were the crimes of Manasseh punished? ... What had been the promise of
Moses?"Lev. ... 8. What was the blessing of God to Zerubbabel for his faith?"Hag. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Resources
What is the Prayer of Manasseh? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh want to live on the east of the Jordan? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Amon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Manasseh

Manasseh

Manasseh: (Moses, RV) Father of Gershom

Manasseh: King of Judah: History of

Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath

Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath: Adopted by Jacob on his Deathbed

Manasseh: Son of Joseph and Asenath: Called Manasses

Manasseh: Two Jews Who Put Away (Divorced) Their Gentile Wives After the Captivity

Manasseh:: Adopted by Jacob

Manasseh:: Affiliate With the Jews in the Reign of Hezekiah

Manasseh:: Blessing or Moses On

Manasseh:: Enumeration of

Manasseh:: Incorporated Into Kingdom of Judah

Manasseh:: Join Gideon in War With the Midianites

Manasseh:: Make Satisfactory Explanation

Manasseh:: Malcontents of, Join David

Manasseh:: One-Half of Tribe East of the Jordan River

Manasseh:: One-Half of Tribe West of Jordan River

Manasseh:: Place of, in Camp and March

Manasseh:: Prophecy Concerning

Manasseh:: Reallotment of Territory To, by Ezekiel

Manasseh:: Reallotment of the Territory To, by Hazael

Manasseh:: Return from Captivity

Manasseh:: Struck Down by Hazael

Manasseh:: The Eastern Half Assists in the Conquest of the Country West of the Jordan River

the Tribe of Manasseh: Aided David Against Saul

the Tribe of Manasseh: At Coronation of David

the Tribe of Manasseh: At Hezekiah's Passover

the Tribe of Manasseh: Could not Drive out the Canaanites But Made Them Tributary

the Tribe of Manasseh: Country of, Purified from Idols by Hezekiah and Josiah

the Tribe of Manasseh: David Appointed Rulers and Captains Over

the Tribe of Manasseh: Descended from Joseph's Eldest Son Adopted by Jacob

the Tribe of Manasseh: Encamped Next To, and Under the Standard of Ephraim West of

the Tribe of Manasseh: Families of

the Tribe of Manasseh: Half of, Obtained Inheritance East of Jordan

the Tribe of Manasseh: Inheritance of the Other Half

the Tribe of Manasseh: Offering of, at Dedication

the Tribe of Manasseh: Often at War With Ephraim

the Tribe of Manasseh: On Gerizim Said Amen to the Blessing

the Tribe of Manasseh: Part of Third Division of Israel in Their Journeys

the Tribe of Manasseh: Persons Selected From: To Divide the Land

the Tribe of Manasseh: Persons Selected From: To Number the People

the Tribe of Manasseh: Persons Selected From: To Spy out the Land

the Tribe of Manasseh: Predictions Respecting

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Abimelech

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Barzillai

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Daughters of Zelophehad

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Elijah

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Gideon

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jair

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jephthah

the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Jotham

the Tribe of Manasseh: Returned to Their Allegiance to the House of David in Asa's

the Tribe of Manasseh: Strength of, on Entering Canaan

the Tribe of Manasseh: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt

Related Terms

Manas'seh's (2 Occurrences)

Manasseh's (9 Occurrences)

Naph'tali (47 Occurrences)

Manasses (1 Occurrence)

Weakest (1 Occurrence)

Ta'a-nach (1 Occurrence)

Megid'do (12 Occurrences)

Persisted (8 Occurrences)

Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Mid'ian (47 Occurrences)

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)

Ammonites (97 Occurrences)

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)

Villages (106 Occurrences)

Weak (102 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)

Manasseh:: Affiliate With the Jews in the Reign of Hezekiah
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