Joshua 17 11

Joshua 17:11 kjv

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 nkjv

And 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 17:11 niv

Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth).

Joshua 17:11 esv

Also in Issachar and in Asher Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Naphath.

Joshua 17:11 nlt

The following towns within the territory of Issachar and Asher, however, were given to Manasseh: Beth-shan, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphoth-dor), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements.

Joshua 17 verses

Joshua 17 11 Meaning

Joshua 17:11 describes a specific challenge encountered by the tribe of Manasseh as they settled in the promised land. While their territorial allotment extended into the lands designated for Issachar and Asher, they failed to completely dispossess the inhabitants of several strategically important cities and their surrounding towns. These un-conquered strongholds included Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor, En-dor, Taanach, and Megiddo, which are referred to collectively as "three countries" or regions. This verse highlights a crucial moment of incomplete obedience in Israel's conquest, laying the groundwork for future difficulties and challenges for the Israelite people.

Joshua 17 11 Context

Joshua 17:11 falls within the section of the book of Joshua detailing the allotment of the land west of the Jordan to the various Israelite tribes (Joshua 13-19). Specifically, it is part of the description of Manasseh's inheritance, which was uniquely scattered: a half-tribe settled east of the Jordan (Josh 13:29-31), and the other half west of the Jordan (Josh 17:1-13).

This verse comes after the description of the boundaries of western Manasseh, highlighting that their territory included enclaves within the allotments of Issachar and Asher. The immediately preceding verses (Josh 17:7-10) define these borders and enclaves. The verse itself sets up the narrative that follows in Joshua 17:12-13, which explicitly states Manasseh's failure to drive out these inhabitants, choosing instead to exact tribute when they became strong. This partial obedience directly contradicts God's repeated command to completely dispossess the land's inhabitants to avoid assimilation and idolatry (Deut 7:1-6). The continued presence of these strong Canaanite cities and peoples would prove to be a persistent source of trouble, leading to apostasy and conflict during the period of the Judges, thereby acting as a powerful foreshadowing within the narrative.

Joshua 17 11 Word analysis

• And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher:

  • Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, Mənašše): One of the two sons of Joseph, whose descendants formed a prominent tribe. The half-tribe west of the Jordan received significant territory, but as revealed here, it was complicated by unconquered pockets.
  • Issachar (יִשָּׂשכָר, Yiśśāšḵār) and Asher (אָשֵׁר, ʼĀšēr): Tribes whose allocated territories bordered or contained enclaves of Manasseh's inheritance. The fact that Manasseh had "in" these areas means these strategic cities were deep within areas technically designated for Manasseh, despite appearing geographically to be within Issachar or Asher's primary allocations. This shows Manasseh's sprawling and somewhat fragmented inheritance, a consequence of the tribal apportionment.

• Beth-shean and its towns:

  • Beth-shean (בֵּית־שְׁאָן, Bêṯ Šeʼān): Meaning "house of rest" or "house of safety." A significant fortified city located in the Jordan Valley, controlling key routes between the Jezreel Valley and Transjordan. It was strategically important for its control of the Jordan crossing and was a significant trade center in the ancient Near East. Archeological findings reveal its persistent occupation and strong defenses throughout this period. "Its towns" (ḇnôṯêyhā, בְּנֹותֶיהָ) refers to the dependent villages, settlements, and agricultural lands under the main city's control, indicating that the problem extended beyond the urban center itself.

• and Ibleam and its towns:

  • Ibleam (יִבְלְעָם, Yiḇləʻām): Also known as Gath-Rimmon (Josh 21:25), a Levite city. Situated south of Beth-shean, controlling another key route from the Jezreel Valley to Samaria. Its failure to be dispossessed posed another significant block to Israelite control of these critical arteries.

• and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns:

  • inhabitants of Dor: Implies not just the city structures but the people residing there, including their military forces and local administration. The Septuagint renders it "and its dwellers" to emphasize the people.
  • Dor (דּוֹר, Dōr): A vital coastal city (modern Tantura), south of Mount Carmel. It was a well-fortified port city, historically occupied by Phoenicians, known for its strategic importance for sea trade and as a base for sea-faring peoples. Its unconquered status meant that Israel did not gain control over the important coastal highway (Via Maris) in this region, thus retaining a foreign presence on their western flank.

• and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns:

  • En-dor (עֵין־דּוֹר, ʻÊyn Dōr): Meaning "fountain of Dor." Located in the eastern Jezreel Valley, south of Mount Tabor. Though less a major military stronghold than Megiddo, its continued Canaanite presence was notable. Later became infamous as the location where Saul consulted a medium (1 Sam 28).

• and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns:

  • Taanach (תַּעְנַךְ, Taʻnakh): Another crucial city in the Jezreel Valley, southwest of Megiddo. Often mentioned in conjunction with Megiddo, it controlled important east-west routes and provided an ideal position for chariot warfare. Its continued existence in Canaanite hands significantly impeded Israelite movement and control of the central valley.

• and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns:

  • Megiddo (מְגִדּוֹ, Məḡidō): One of the most strategically significant ancient cities in the world, dominating the plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel Valley). Its control was vital for regional power due to its command of a major pass through the Carmel ridge, linking Egypt and Mesopotamia. Its persistence under Canaanite rule was a major impediment to Israel's secure occupation of their territory, highlighting Manasseh's failure to capture a primary power center. This site later gains eschatological significance as Armageddon (Rev 16:16).

• even three countries:

  • three countries (נָפַת הַשָּׁלשׁ, Nāfaṯ haššālāš): The exact meaning of this phrase is debated.
    • Some interpret nafat as "heights," "districts," or "regions."
    • The phrase could denote three specific administrative districts or geographical areas within which these unconquered cities were situated (e.g., the Jordan Valley region including Beth-shean and Ibleam; the Jezreel Valley region including Taanach, Megiddo, and En-dor; and the coastal region of Dor).
    • Alternatively, some scholars see it as a literary grouping or a simplified way to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the cities listed, indicating Manasseh failed to dispossess three key concentrations of power, regardless of specific numerical application to the named cities.
    • The Septuagint reads "three provinces," and other versions reflect "three regions" or "three groups." It broadly signifies significant areas of foreign presence.

Joshua 17 11 Bonus section

The specific details about the cities listed in Joshua 17:11 underscore the significant military and logistical challenges faced by the Israelite tribes. These unconquered cities, particularly Beth-shean and Megiddo, were often equipped with superior military technology, notably iron chariots, which Israel did not possess in large numbers at this time. This technological disparity is later referenced explicitly as a reason for Manasseh's failure (Josh 17:16, Jdg 1:19). The presence of these fortified cities controlling key valleys (Jezreel, Jordan) meant that Israel's central highland territory was effectively split and lacked easy communication routes across the nation, making unified action more difficult in later periods. The "three countries" could also signify a territorial-political understanding in that these areas formed three distinct, powerful pockets of resistance that maintained their independent identity and posed an ongoing challenge to Israelite hegemony, regardless of precise boundaries. This highlights a persistent vulnerability despite their divine mandate to possess the entire land.

Joshua 17 11 Commentary

Joshua 17:11 presents a crucial geographical and theological statement about Manasseh's incomplete conquest. The cities listed—Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor, En-dor, Taanach, and Megiddo—were not minor outposts but formidable strategic strongholds that dominated critical trade routes, fertile valleys, and coastal access. Manasseh's failure to drive out their inhabitants, despite God's repeated commands and promises of victory, underscores a critical point of partial obedience.

This verse reveals an underlying lack of faith and determination within the tribe. While God had promised to deliver the land and its peoples into Israel's hands, their reliance on their own strength, or a desire for easier co-existence rather than complete subjugation, led to this significant shortfall. This failure was not just a military oversight but a theological compromise, planting seeds of future apostasy. The continued presence of these sophisticated Canaanite cultures, with their idolatrous practices and strong city-state structures, served as a constant temptation and eventual source of conflict for Israel throughout the period of the Judges and into the monarchy. Their existence served as "thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you" (Jdg 2:3). The strategic importance of places like Megiddo would also later become central to major military encounters throughout Israel's history.

Practical usage:

• Just as Manasseh settled for partial victory, believers must guard against incomplete obedience in their walk of faith.
• Leaving "strongholds" of sin or compromise unaddressed in one's life can lead to ongoing struggle and hinder spiritual progress, mirroring Israel's challenge with the Canaanites.
• Total victory often requires perseverance and dependence on God's strength, not human strength alone.