King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:11 Mean?

Joshua 17:11 in the King James Version says “And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor ... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.

Joshua 17:11 · KJV


Context

9

And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea: river Kanah: or, brook of reeds

10

Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.

11

And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.

12

Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.

13

Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns—Despite the boundaries described above, Manasseh held certain cities within the territories nominally assigned to Issachar and Asher. Beth-shean (Beit She'an, בֵּית שְׁאָן, "house of security") was a major Canaanite fortress city controlling the eastern Jezreel Valley. Ibleam guarded the southern approaches to the valley. The phrase uvnoteha (וּבְנֹתֶיהָ, "and her towns" or "her daughters") refers to satellite villages dependent on the main city.

And the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries—The list continues with five more strategic cities: Dor (Mediterranean port), En-dor ("spring of Dor"), Taanach and Megiddo (both commanding the Jezreel Valley). The phrase shelosheth hanefet (שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַנָּפֶת, "three countries" or "three heights") likely refers to geographical districts or ridge systems. The repetition of "inhabitants" (Hebrew yoshvei, יֹשְׁבֵי) foreshadows verse 12's admission that Manasseh failed to conquer these cities—Canaanites remained in occupation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These cities were among Canaan's most formidable strongholds. Beth-shean has been extensively excavated, revealing massive fortifications and Egyptian presence during the Late Bronze Age. Archaeological evidence shows it remained a Canaanite/Philistine city until David's reign (the Philistines fastened Saul's body to Beth-shean's walls, 1 Samuel 31:10-12). Megiddo, with 20+ occupation layers, was one of antiquity's most important cities, controlling the critical pass through the Carmel range. Excavations reveal Solomon later fortified it as a chariot city (1 Kings 9:15). Taanach appears in Egyptian records and the Amarna Letters. Dor was a major seaport. That Manasseh received these cities but failed to conquer them (v. 12) created ongoing problems, vindicating God's earlier warning that incomplete conquest would prove a snare (Judges 2:1-3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the assignment of strategic cities to Manasseh illustrate that God gives His people opportunities for significant kingdom impact, though we may not always fully appropriate what He offers?
  2. What does the detailed naming of unconquered cities teach about the importance of honestly acknowledging our failures and incomplete obedience?
  3. How might God be calling you to 'conquer' areas of influence or responsibility He has assigned to you but which you have not yet fully possessed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיְהִ֨י1 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה2 of 25

And Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בְּיִשָּׂשכָ֣ר3 of 25

had in Issachar

H3485

jissaskar, a son of jacob

וּבְאָשֵׁ֗ר4 of 25

and in Asher

H836

asher, a son of jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in palestine

בֵּית5 of 25
H0
שְׁאָ֣ן6 of 25

Bethshean

H1052

beth-shean or beth-shan, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ7 of 25

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְיִבְלְעָ֨ם8 of 25

and Ibleam

H2991

jibleam, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ9 of 25

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְֽאֶת10 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י11 of 25

and the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

דֹ֣אר12 of 25

of Dor

H1756

dor, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ13 of 25

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י14 of 25

and the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עֵֽין15 of 25
H0
דֹּר֙16 of 25

of Endor

H5874

en-dor, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ17 of 25

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י18 of 25

and the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תַעְנַךְ֙19 of 25

of Taanach

H8590

taanak or tanak, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ20 of 25

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְיֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י21 of 25

and the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מְגִדּ֖וֹ22 of 25

of Megiddo

H4023

megiddon or megiddo, a place in palestine

וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ23 of 25

and her towns

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת24 of 25

even three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הַנָּֽפֶת׃25 of 25

countries

H5316

a height


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 17:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 17:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study