West Manasseh
Joshua 17, verse 1. There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph: namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war; therefore, he was given Gilead and Bashan. Joshua 17, verse 2. There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh according to their families; for the children of Abiezer, the children of Helek, the children of Asriel, the children of Shechem, the children of Hepher, and the children of Shemida; these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families. Joshua 17, verse 3. But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Joshua 17, verse 4. They came near before Eleazar the priest, before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the rulers, saying, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” Therefore, according to the commandment of the Lord, he gave them an inheritance among their father's brothers. Joshua 17, verse 5. Ten shares fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side of the Jordan, Joshua 17, verse 6. because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons; and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead. Joshua 17, verse 7. Now the territory of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, which lies east of Shechem; and the border went along south to the inhabitants of En Tappuah. Joshua 17, verse 8. Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim. Joshua 17, verse 9. The border descended to the Brook Kanah, southward to the brook. These cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh. The border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook; and it ended at the sea. Joshua 17, verse 10. Southward it was Ephraim's, northward it was Manasseh's, and the sea was its border. Manasseh's territory was adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. Joshua 17, verse 11. In Issachar and in Asher, Manasseh had Beth Shean and its towns, Ibleam and its towns, the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, the inhabitants of En Dor and its towns, the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns—three hilly regions. Joshua 17, verse 12. Now the sons of Manasseh were not able to destroy these cities completely. So the Canaanites came to dwell in that land. Joshua 17, verse 13. Thus when the sons of Israel grew strong, they subjected the Canaanites, but did not utterly destroy them.
Ephraim and West Manasseh Want More Land
Joshua 17, verse 14. Then the sons of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why did you give us only one lot and one share to inherit? For I am a great many people, and God has blessed me.” Joshua 17, verse 15. So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.” Joshua 17, verse 16. But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those of Beth Shean and its towns and of the Valley of Jezreel.” Joshua 17, verse 17. Then Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people, and have great power. You shall not have only one lot, Joshua 17, verse 18. but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”