The tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, plays a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly during the period of the Judges. The tribe is named after Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, an Egyptian woman. Manasseh, along with his brother Ephraim, was adopted by Jacob as his own sons, thus receiving an inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Genesis 48:5).

During the time of the Judges, the Israelites faced oppression from the Midianites, a nomadic people who invaded their land, destroyed their crops, and left them impoverished. In response to the Israelites' cries for help, God raised up Gideon, a member of the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver them from the Midianite oppression.

Gideon's call to leadership is recorded in Judges 6. The Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel addressed him as a "mighty warrior" and informed him that the LORD was with him (Judges 6:12). Despite his initial hesitance and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon was assured of God's presence and promised victory over the Midianites.

In preparation for battle, Gideon sent messengers throughout Manasseh, as well as to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, calling them to join him in the fight against the Midianites (Judges 6:35). The response from Manasseh was significant, as they rallied behind Gideon, demonstrating their willingness to stand against their oppressors and trust in God's deliverance.

The narrative reaches its climax in Judges 7, where God instructs Gideon to reduce his army to just 300 men to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. The men of Manasseh, along with the other tribes, witnessed God's miraculous deliverance as Gideon's small army defeated the vast Midianite forces through a surprise nighttime attack involving trumpets, torches, and jars.

The involvement of the tribe of Manasseh in this victory highlights their role in the collective effort to reclaim their land and freedom. It also underscores the theme of God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

The story of Gideon and the tribe of Manasseh serves as a testament to the importance of faith and obedience in the face of adversity. It reminds believers of the necessity to rely on God's strength rather than their own, trusting that He is able to accomplish His purposes through those who are willing to follow His lead.Judges 6:1
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 7:1
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
Nave's Topical Index

Gideon's Brave Band
... See, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am ... Then the spirit of Jehovah took
possession of Gideon, and he ... the Naphtalites, and they went up to join him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/gideons brave band.htm

Jehovah
... Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the ... fear not; for thou shalt not
die." Then Gideon believed the Lord ... And are we prepared to join in it with our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 6 jehovah.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... War broke out between one tribe and another; the ... some to assign its elements
respectively to Gideon, judge of the western portion of Manasseh, and Jerubbaal ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

What is the Prayer of Manasseh? | GotQuestions.org

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