Topical Encyclopedia 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 33:13-17And 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 The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River The Wilderness. Chapter xlviii Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant. Chapter xlix Jesus at the Well. The Book of the Law Hezekiah Questions. Resources What is the Prayer of Manasseh? | GotQuestions.orgWhy 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 Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by 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:: Affiliate With the Jews in the Reign of Hezekiah Manasseh:: Blessing or Moses On 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 |