Joshua 17 7

Joshua 17:7 kjv

And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.

Joshua 17:7 nkjv

And the territory of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, that lies east of Shechem; and the border went along south to the inhabitants of En Tappuah.

Joshua 17:7 niv

The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Mikmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah.

Joshua 17:7 esv

The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to Michmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the boundary goes along southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah.

Joshua 17:7 nlt

The boundary of the tribe of Manasseh extended from the border of Asher to Micmethath, near Shechem. Then the boundary went south from Micmethath to the settlement near the spring of Tappuah.

Joshua 17 verses

Joshua 17 7 Meaning

Joshua chapter 17 verse 7 describes a specific segment of the territorial boundary allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh on the west side of the Jordan River. It pinpoints a northern starting point "from Asher" and details how the border extended south to "Michmethath, which is before Shechem," before turning towards the southwest or south-east to reach the region inhabited by "En-tappuah." This precise delineation ensured the fulfillment of God's promise regarding the land inheritance and established clear divisions among the tribes of Israel.

Joshua 17 7 Context

Joshua 17 is situated within the "Land Distribution" section of the Book of Joshua (chapters 13-19), which details the allocation of territories to the twelve tribes of Israel on the west side of the Jordan River. Following the military conquest of Canaan, the tribes were given their inheritance by lot, fulfilling the ancient promises made by God to Abraham. Chapter 17 specifically outlines the land assigned to the tribe of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. Due to its size and prominence, Manasseh received territory on both sides of the Jordan. Verse 7 specifically focuses on the half-tribe of Manasseh that settled west of the Jordan, describing its northern and eastern boundaries. The meticulous detail in these verses underscores the importance of the land as God's divine gift, ensuring each tribe received a designated portion that would become fundamental to their identity and economic stability in the Promised Land. The listing of specific geographical landmarks served as legally binding definitions for their inheritance in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Joshua 17 7 Word analysis

• And the border:

  • Hebrew: ûhag·gĕbûl (וְהַגְּבוּל). gĕbûl (גְּבוּל) means "boundary," "border," or "territory." It signifies a precisely defined limit or extent of a region. This is not a fluid, undefined space, but a marked demarcation, often divinely ordained. It emphasizes God's sovereign control over land distribution and order.

• of Manasseh:

  • Hebrew: lîmĕnaššeh (לִמְנַשֶּׁה). Mĕnashsheh (מְנַשֶּׁה), the son of Joseph. The name means "causing to forget," referring to Joseph's declaration upon his birth that God had made him forget his hardship (Gen 41:51). Here, it denotes the specific tribe whose inherited land is being described. Manasseh, along with Ephraim, formed the powerful "House of Joseph" and received significant territory.

• was from Asher:

  • Hebrew: me’āšêr (מֵאָשֵׁר). This "Asher" is a geographical landmark, likely a specific place or area, and should not be confused with the territory of the tribe of Asher far to the north. Its exact identification is debated but commonly located to the northeast or east of Michmethath, forming part of the initial segment of Manasseh's northern or eastern boundary.

• to Michmethath:

  • Hebrew: Mikhmĕthâth (מִכְמְתָת). A significant landmark. Its exact site is also uncertain but is consistently placed east/northeast of Shechem. It marked a critical turning point for the boundary line described. Joshua 16:6 also references Michmethath as a boundary for Ephraim, indicating its strategic geographical position defining limits between major tribal lands.

• which is before Shechem:

  • Hebrew: ’ašer lîpênê Shĕkhem (אֲשֶׁר לִפְנֵי שְׁכֶם). lîpênê (לִפְנֵי) translates to "before," "in front of," or "to the face of," which often implies "to the east of" when describing geographical orientation. Shechem (שְׁכֶם - Shĕkhem) was a profoundly significant city throughout Israelite history—a covenant renewal site (Josh 24), a major ancient center (Gen 12:6), and later an important religious and administrative city. Its proximity serves as a crucial geographical anchor for identifying the described boundary points.

• and the border went along toward the right hand:

  • Hebrew: ûba’ hag·gĕbûl yamînah (וּבָא הַגְּבוּל יָמִ֫ינָה). yamînah (יָמִ֫ינָה) means "to the right" or "rightward." In ancient Hebrew geographical orientation, with one's back to the east (facing west), "right" indicates south, and "left" indicates north. So, "toward the right hand" here most naturally means the border turned south from Michmethath. This implies a significant change in the direction of the boundary line from an initial easterly/northerly section to a southerly course.

• to the inhabitants of En-tappuah:

  • Hebrew: ’el yôšbê ‘Êyn Tap·pûach (אֶל יֹשְׁבֵי עֵין־תַּפּוּחַ). yôšbê (יֹשְׁבֵי) means "inhabitants of" or "dwellers of." ‘Êyn Tap·pûach (עֵין־תַּפּוּחַ) means "Spring of the Apple (or pear) tree." This signifies not just a natural spring, but the settled area, the community or town associated with that spring. This landmark helps define the southern or southwestern extent of Manasseh's border in this specific segment, marking where the boundary line terminates its turn.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And the border of Manasseh": Establishes the subject of the verse, indicating the meticulous and divinely guided division of land for each tribe. This border represents not merely a line on a map, but a divinely ordained possession, critical for tribal identity, resource allocation, and maintaining order in the newly settled land. It reinforces the theme of God’s faithfulness in providing an inheritance to His people.
  • "from Asher to Michmethath which is before Shechem": Describes the initial northern or eastern stretch of Manasseh’s boundary. The inclusion of specific, identifiable landmarks like Michmethath and the important city of Shechem emphasizes the precision and concrete nature of the land allocation. It demonstrates careful surveying and the intention that these boundaries be clear and recognized.
  • "and the border went along toward the right hand to the inhabitants of En-tappuah": Details a significant shift in the border's direction. The phrase "went along toward the right hand" denotes a geographical turn (typically south or southeast). This specifies the contour of Manasseh's land, indicating the precise point and direction the boundary takes until it reaches another defining landmark, "En-tappuah," likely the general area surrounding the "apple spring" where a community resided. This reflects the practical reality of dividing land based on natural features and existing settlements.

Joshua 17 7 Bonus section

The land division described in Joshua is often noted by scholars as reflecting an ancient Near Eastern legal process. The precise details of the boundaries, while challenging for modern archeologists to identify every single location definitively, show an intent for clear, documented, and binding land titles. This stood in contrast to tribal conflicts where territories were often vaguely defined and constantly contested by military force. Israel's inheritance was not based on their strength or conquest alone, but on God's divine grant, with Joshua and Eleazar meticulously overseeing the division by lot and specific demarcation, reflecting order over chaos. While the conquest was by divine mandate, the practical administration of the land was thorough and detailed, laying the groundwork for Israel's structured society. Some interpret the ongoing archaeological challenge in precisely identifying some of these ancient border markers as indicative of changes in local toponyms over millennia, or perhaps that some "places" were merely natural features rather than settled locations at the time of the land's distribution. This highlights that these descriptions served the original purpose for the tribes on the ground, whose understanding of their local terrain would have been intimate.

Joshua 17 7 Commentary

Joshua 17:7 provides a precise geographical snapshot of Manasseh's inheritance, serving a crucial role in the meticulous documentation of Israel's tribal territories. This verse, like many others in Joshua 13-19, underscores the orderly and detailed fulfillment of God's ancient promises regarding the land of Canaan. It's not just a dry topographical list; it speaks to God's faithfulness in providing an inheritance for His people, one that was legally and divinely sanctioned.

The specific landmarks—Asher (a place), Michmethath, Shechem, and En-tappuah—were vital in an era without modern maps. They represented key natural features, existing towns, or historically recognized sites that would have been readily identifiable to the original audience. The turn of the "border went along toward the right hand" indicates a logical tracing of geographical contours, probably following ridges, valleys, or watercourses, a common practice for natural boundary delineation. This detail, gathered from a rigorous understanding of the terrain through detailed exploration, ensures there is no ambiguity about where Manasseh's claim began and ended in this particular segment. The mention of "inhabitants of En-tappuah" suggests that existing communities or territories, not just natural features, sometimes served as border markers, reflecting the integration of new Israelite claims with existing regional populations, albeit as per divine guidance.

Practically, these defined boundaries minimized disputes between tribes over land resources and identity. They enshrined the divine allocation, giving each family group a permanent home, a foundation for their agricultural life, and a distinct identity within the broader nation of Israel. This detail also serves as a testament to the accuracy and historical depth of the biblical account, rooting God's interaction with Israel in tangible geographical reality.