Joshua 17 Summary

The chapter records the territorial allotment for the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, noting that Machir's descendants received Gilead and Bashan for their valor, while the remaining clans received portions by lot. Zelophehad's five daughters successfully appeal before Eleazar, Joshua, and the princes, invoking the LORD's earlier command through Moses, and are granted an inheritance among their father's brothers. The boundaries of Manasseh's territory are described in relation to Ephraim, Asher, and Issachar, though Manasseh failed to drive out the Canaanites from several cities, eventually putting them to tribute instead. The house of Joseph then complains to Joshua that one lot is insufficient for their large population, to which Joshua challenges them to clear the forested hill country and assures them they have the strength to dispossess the Canaanites despite their iron chariots.