Chapter commentary
Joshua Chapter 17
1
Jos 17:1-6.
English original
Jos 17:1-6.
LOT OF MANASSEH.
1-6. There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh--Ephraim was mentioned, as the more numerous and powerful branch of the family of Joseph
(Ge 48:19, 20);
but Manasseh still retained the right of primogeniture and had a separate inheritance assigned.
Machir--his descendants.
the father of Gilead--Though he had a son of that name
(Nu 26:29; 27:1),
yet, as is evident from the use of the Hebrew article, reference is made, not to the person, but the province of Gilead. "Father" here means lord or possessor of Gilead. This view is confirmed by the fact that it was not Machir, but his descendants, who subdued Gilead and Bashan
(Nu 32:41; De 3:13-15).
These Machirites had their portion on the east side of Jordan. The western portion of land, allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, was divided into ten portions because the male descendants who had sons consisted of five families, to which, consequently, five shares were given; and the sixth family, namely, the posterity of Hepher, being all women, the five daughters of Zelophehad were, on application to the valuators, endowed each with an inheritance in land (see on
Nu 27:4).
7
Jos 17:7-11.
书 17:7-11。
此段地界
7-11. 玛拿西的境界，是从亚设通到密米他——南界在此从东边起描。亚设（即今 Yasir）为起点，是示剑以东十五罗马英里的一座城，古时乃一重镇。
English original
Jos 17:7-11.
THIS COAST.
7-11. the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah--The southern boundary is here traced from the east. Asher (now Yasir), the starting point, was a town fifteen Roman miles east of Shechem, and anciently a place of importance.
9
Untitled
9. 界河下到加拿河的南边——分隔两兄弟产业的界线，是沿着该河的南边走的。因此这河属玛拿西境内；但河上的城邑，虽全在玛拿西地业范围之内，却一部分归以法莲，一部分归玛拿西：南边的城归前者，北边的城归后者 [KEIL]。
可见
(书 17:10)，
玛拿西与其他相邻支派进一步彼此交错相嵌。
English original
9. the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the river--The line which separated the possessions of the two brothers from each other ran to the south of the stream. Thus the river was in the territory of Manasseh; but the cities which were upon the river, though all were within the limits of Manasseh's possessions, were assigned partly to Ephraim, and partly to Manasseh; those on the south side being given to the former; those upon the north to the latter [KEIL]. It appears
(Jos 17:10)
that Manasseh was still further interlaced with other neighboring tribes.
11
Untitled
11. 伯善和属城的乡村——希腊文作「西古提波利」（即今 Beisan），位于约旦河谷，在耶斯列平原东端。「伯善」意即「安息之所」，因它是往来于叙利亚或米甸与埃及之间的商队歇脚之处，也是这些国家之间数百年来通商的大站。
以伯莲和属城的乡村——在米吉多附近
(王下 9:27)。
多珥的居民和属城的乡村——（即今 Tantoura），古时为一坚固堡垒；一道陡峭的天然岩壁护卫着沿岸工事，抵御陆上来的攻击。
隐多珥和属城的乡村——坐落在一处岩石高地上，在他泊山以南四罗马英里。
他纳和……米吉多——这两城相近，圣经中常一并提及。它们都是王城，并都设有坚固的防御
(参
士 1:27)。
三个国家——即三个区域或省分。据估算，玛拿西在亚设和以萨迦境内拥有的地业，面积超过二百平方英里。
English original
11. Beth-shean and her towns--Greek, "Scythopolis" (now Beisan), in the valley of the Jordan, towards the east end of the plain of Jezreel. "Beth-shean" means "house of rest," so called from its being the halting place for caravans travelling between Syria or Midian, and Egypt, and the great station for the commerce between these countries for many centuries.
Ibleam and her towns--in the neighborhood of Megiddo
(2Ki 9:27).
the inhabitants of Dor and her towns--(now Tantoura), anciently a strong fortress; a wall of wild precipitous rock defended the shore fortifications against attack from the land side.
En-dor and her towns--situated on a rocky eminence, four Roman miles south of Tabor.
Taanach and . . . Megiddo--These were near to each other, and they are generally mentioned in Scripture together. They were both royal and strongly fortified places (see on
Jud 1:27).
three countries--districts or provinces. It is computed that Manasseh possessed in Asher and Issachar portions of ground to the extent of more than two hundred square miles.
12
Jos 17:12, 13.
书 17:12、13。
迦南人未被赶出
12、13. 玛拿西的子孙却不能赶出这些城的居民——大概是因为懒惰、贪图安逸。或许也因对神命令的轻忽或遗忘，加上事奉神之信心与热诚的消退，是他们失败的原因。
English original
Jos 17:12, 13.
CANAANITES NOT DRIVEN OUT.
12, 13. Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out those cities--probably due to indolence, a love of ease. Perhaps a mistaken humanity, arising from a disregard or forgetfulness of the divine command, and a decreasing principle of faith and zeal in the service of God, were the causes of their failure.
14
Jos 17:14-18.
书 17:14-18。
约瑟的子孙另求一地
14-18. 约瑟的子孙对约书亚说——这两支派联合向领袖陈诉，认为所分的地业太窄，不足以作如此繁衍昌盛之支派的居所。但约书亚的回答既充满智慧，又满有爱国之心。他深知他们的品性，便对症下药，以讥讽之笔将他们的一切论据反用来责备他们。如此便责备了他们的不信与怯懦。
English original
Jos 17:14-18.
THE CHILDREN OF JOSEPH ASK FOR ANOTHER LOT.
14-18. the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua--The two tribes join in laying a complaint before the leader, as to the narrow boundaries of their allotment and its insufficiency to be the residence of tribes so vastly increased. But Joshua's answer was full of wisdom as well as patriotism. Knowing their character, he treated them accordingly, and sarcastically turned all their arguments against themselves. Thus he rebuked their unbelief and cowardice.
15
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15. 以法莲山——此处是预指之称。所指的乃是伯善与耶斯列平原之间的基列波山脉，古时林木广覆。
English original
15. mount Ephraim--called so here by anticipation. The Gilboa range between Beth-shean and the plain of Jezreel is meant, anciently covered with an extensive forest.
16
Untitled
16. 铁车——以金属特别加固，或许还装有突出的镰刀。
English original
16. chariots of iron--unusually strengthened with that metal, and perhaps armed with projecting scythes.
约书亚记 17:1-6。
玛拿西的产业
1-6. 玛拿西支派也有分——以法莲作为约瑟家族中人数更多、力量更强的一支
(创 48:19、20)，
已被先行提及；但玛拿西仍保留长子名分，并有独立的产业分给他。
玛吉——指他的后代。
基列之父——他虽有一同名之子
(民 26:29；27:1)，
但从希伯来文冠词的用法显然可见，这里所指的并非那个人，而是基列那省。"父"在此意为基列的主或拥有者。这一看法可由以下事实证实：征服基列和巴珊的并非玛吉本人，而是他的后代
(民 32:41； 申 3:13-15)。
这些玛吉人所得的分在约旦河东。分给玛拿西支派的约旦河西之地，被分为十分，因为有儿子的男丁共分五家，自然分得五份；第六家即希弗的后裔全是女子，西罗非哈的五个女儿便向分地之人申请，各人在地业中得了一份为业
(参
民 27:4
注释）。