King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:2 Mean?

Joshua 17:2 in the King James Version says “There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for th...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.”

Joshua 17:2 · KJV

Context

1

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.

2

There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.

3

But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

4

And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families—After addressing Machir's Transjordanian inheritance, the text turns to the western half-tribe's Cisjordanian allotment. The phrase lemishpechotam (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם, "by their families") emphasizes equitable distribution according to clan divisions, ensuring each family unit received its nachalah (נַחֲלָה, permanent inheritance).

The detailed genealogy lists six clans: Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida—each representing a major family division within Manasseh. These are the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families, emphasizing patrilineal inheritance as the standard pattern. Gideon descended from Abiezer (Judges 6:11), connecting this land allotment to later redemptive history. The specificity demonstrates God's providential care in fulfilling promises to particular families, not just to Israel generically.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The six clans listed here correspond to the census in Numbers 26:30-33, showing continuity between wilderness organization and Canaan settlement. Each clan would have comprised hundreds or thousands of individuals requiring substantial territory. The region west of Jordan assigned to Manasseh included some of Canaan's most fertile land in the Jezreel Valley and Samarian highlands. Shechem, mentioned as a clan founder here, would become one of Manasseh's most important cities and first Israelite capital (Joshua 24:1, 25). The clan structure created stable social organization balancing tribal unity with family autonomy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the detailed recording of family allotments demonstrate God's concern for individual families within His larger covenant community?
  2. What can we learn from the orderly distribution of inheritance about the relationship between corporate blessing and individual responsibility?
  3. How does God's faithfulness to preserve these specific family lines encourage your faith in His sovereign plan for your own family?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַ֠יְהִי1 of 24
H1961

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

בֶּן2 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֧ה3 of 24

“of Manasseh”

H4519

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

הַנּֽוֹתָרִים֮4 of 24

“There was also a lot for the rest”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃5 of 24

“by their families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

בֶּן6 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲבִיעֶ֜זֶר7 of 24

“of Abiezer”

H44

abiezer, the name of two israelites

בֶּן8 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֵ֗לֶק9 of 24

“of Helek”

H2507

chelek, an israelite

בֶּן10 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַשְׂרִיאֵל֙11 of 24

“of Asriel”

H844

asriel, the name of two israelites

בֶּן12 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שֶׁ֔כֶם13 of 24

“of Shechem”

H7928

shekem, the name of a hivite and two israelites

בֶּן14 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֵ֖פֶר15 of 24

“of Hepher”

H2660

chepher, a place in palestine

בֶּן16 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁמִידָ֑ע17 of 24

“of Shemida”

H8061

shemida, an israelite

אֵ֠לֶּה18 of 24
H428

these or those

בֶּן19 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֧ה20 of 24

“of Manasseh”

H4519

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

בֶּן21 of 24

“and for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹסֵ֛ף22 of 24

“of Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

הַזְּכָרִ֖ים23 of 24

“these were the male”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃24 of 24

“by their families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

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 17:2 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 17:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 26:29-321 Chronicles 7:18Judges 6:11Judges 8:2

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 17 →

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