Joshua 17:1-18, NLT
Joshua 17
The Land Given to West Manasseh
1The next allotment of land was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph’s older son. Makir, the firstborn son of Manasseh, was the father of Gilead. Because his descendants were experienced soldiers, the regions of Gilead and Bashan on the east side of the Jordan had already been given to them.
3However, Zelophehad, a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, had no sons. He had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
So Joshua gave them a grant of land along with their uncles, as the Lord had commanded.
7The 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.
11The following towns within the territory of Issachar and Asher, however, were given to Manasseh: Beth-shan,*17:11a Hebrew Beth-shean, a variant spelling of Beth-shan; also in 17:16. Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphoth-dor),*17:11b The meaning of the Hebrew here is uncertain. Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements.
12But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these towns because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region.
14The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?”
15Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live.”
16The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us.”
17Then Joshua said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion.