There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.
There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families—After addressing Machir's Transjordanian inheritance, the text turns to the western half-tribe's Cisjordanian allotment. The phrase lemishpechotam (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם, "by their families") emphasizes equitable distribution according to clan divisions, ensuring each family unit received its nachalah (נַחֲלָה, permanent inheritance).
The detailed genealogy lists six clans: Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida—each representing a major family division within Manasseh. These are the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families, emphasizing patrilineal inheritance as the standard pattern. Gideon descended from Abiezer (Judges 6:11), connecting this land allotment to later redemptive history. The specificity demonstrates God's providential care in fulfilling promises to particular families, not just to Israel generically.
Historical Context
The six clans listed here correspond to the census in Numbers 26:30-33, showing continuity between wilderness organization and Canaan settlement. Each clan would have comprised hundreds or thousands of individuals requiring substantial territory. The region west of Jordan assigned to Manasseh included some of Canaan's most fertile land in the Jezreel Valley and Samarian highlands. Shechem, mentioned as a clan founder here, would become one of Manasseh's most important cities and first Israelite capital (Joshua 24:1, 25). The clan structure created stable social organization balancing tribal unity with family autonomy.
Questions for Reflection
How does the detailed recording of family allotments demonstrate God's concern for individual families within His larger covenant community?
What can we learn from the orderly distribution of inheritance about the relationship between corporate blessing and individual responsibility?
How does God's faithfulness to preserve these specific family lines encourage your faith in His sovereign plan for your own family?
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Analysis & Commentary
There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families—After addressing Machir's Transjordanian inheritance, the text turns to the western half-tribe's Cisjordanian allotment. The phrase lemishpechotam (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם, "by their families") emphasizes equitable distribution according to clan divisions, ensuring each family unit received its nachalah (נַחֲלָה, permanent inheritance).
The detailed genealogy lists six clans: Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida—each representing a major family division within Manasseh. These are the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families, emphasizing patrilineal inheritance as the standard pattern. Gideon descended from Abiezer (Judges 6:11), connecting this land allotment to later redemptive history. The specificity demonstrates God's providential care in fulfilling promises to particular families, not just to Israel generically.