The Tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a unique position among the tribes due to its division into two half-tribes. This entry focuses on the inheritance of the western half of Manasseh, which settled in the Promised Land west of the Jordan River.

Biblical Background

Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. As such, the tribe of Manasseh is one of the two tribes that descended from Joseph, the other being Ephraim. Jacob, also known as Israel, blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and adopted them as his own, granting them a portion among his sons (Genesis 48:5). This act effectively elevated Manasseh and Ephraim to the status of full tribes within Israel.

Territorial Inheritance

The division of the tribe into two half-tribes is a significant aspect of Manasseh's inheritance. The eastern half of Manasseh settled in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, while the western half received its inheritance in the land of Canaan, west of the Jordan. The allocation of land to the western half of Manasseh is detailed in the Book of Joshua.

Joshua 17:1-2 states, "Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn: Gilead and Bashan were given to Makir, the firstborn of Manasseh and the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war. So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh by their clans: for the sons of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans."

The western half-tribe of Manasseh received a significant portion of land that stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. This territory included fertile plains and strategic locations, such as the city of Shechem, which held historical and religious significance for the Israelites.

Challenges and Conquests

The western half of Manasseh faced challenges in fully possessing their inheritance. The Canaanites, who inhabited the land, were formidable adversaries. Joshua 17:12-13 notes, "But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these cities, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely."

Despite these challenges, the tribe of Manasseh played a crucial role in the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. Their warriors were known for their valor and strength, contributing significantly to the military efforts of the Israelites.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

The western half of Manasseh, like the rest of the tribe, was part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. The tribe's location and influence made it a key player in the political and spiritual life of the nation. The city of Shechem, within Manasseh's territory, was a center of worship and covenant renewal, as seen in Joshua 24, where Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to renew their covenant with the LORD.

The tribe's legacy is also marked by notable figures, such as Gideon, who hailed from the western half of Manasseh. Gideon, a judge of Israel, led a small force to victory against the Midianites, demonstrating faith and obedience to God (Judges 6-8).

Conclusion

The inheritance of the western half of the Tribe of Manasseh reflects both the blessings and challenges faced by the Israelites as they settled in the Promised Land. Their account is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.Joshua 17:1-11
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The End of the War
... and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh ... of Reuben, Gad, and the half
of Manasseh, had willingly ... away for a time from our inheritance, for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of the war.htm

How the Hebrews Fought with the Midianites, and Overcame Them.
... this time the chief men of the tribe of Manasseh came to ... of themselves in marriage
to men of another tribe, they shall leave their inheritance in their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how the hebrews.htm

The Wilderness.
... were subdued, and the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh,
were permitted to take these as their inheritance, though beyond ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm

Numbers
... Then follow sections on the law of inheritance of daughters, xxvii.1-11 ... the Jordan
was allotted to Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, on condition ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/numbers.htm

Stones Crying Out
... of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over ... fighting
men of the tribes who had already received their inheritance on the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/stones crying out.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... when the two tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had built ... sin,
which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." [1642] Wherefore ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... conquer the cities, and settle them in their inheritance. ... Reuben, Gad, and the rest
of Manasseh, were to ... Sometimes it was a Canaanite tribe with iron chariots ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

The Patriarchs.
... and Levi was afterwards chosen as the tribe set apart ... made up by reckoning Ephraim
and Manasseh, the sons ... should have the choicest temporal inheritance; but of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

The King.
... fortunes; the hardy half-independent men of Manasseh and Gad ... the king was one of
the tribe, made it ... strife between the tribes of God's inheritance should end. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... the traditional father of Ephraim and Manasseh, imply that ... the Nile or from desert
tribe to tribe came occasional ... If an inheritance tax falls heavily upon the ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

Who was Ephraim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How did Isaiah die? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Joseph? | GotQuestions.org

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