Numbers 26:29
Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
Of the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
Of the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
2 of 12
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
come the family
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
come the family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 12
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הוֹלִ֣יד
begat
H3205
הוֹלִ֣יד
begat
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
7 of 12
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְגִלְעָ֕ד
Gilead
H1568
לְגִלְעָ֕ד
Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
9 of 12
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
לְגִלְעָ֕ד
Gilead
H1568
לְגִלְעָ֕ד
Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
10 of 12
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
Cross References
Joshua 17:1There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.Numbers 36:1And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:
Historical Context
Gilead became synonymous with Transjordan territory, famous for its balm (Genesis 37:25) and rugged terrain. The Machirites' military prowess helped Moses conquer this region from Sihon and Og (Numbers 21), making them the vanguard of Israel's Conquest. Their land request (Numbers 32) showed practical wisdom—they had livestock and needed pasture.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Machir's warrior legacy challenge modern Christianity's emphasis on gentleness at the expense of righteous militancy?
- What does the Gileadites' success in Transjordan teach about God's blessing on those who fulfill their calling even in harder, less prestigious territories?
- How might the 'balm of Gilead' (Jeremiah 8:22) typologically point to Christ as healer, coming from unlikely places?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead—Machir (מָכִיר, 'sold') was Manasseh's only son mentioned here, making him the clan founder. His son Gilead (גִּלְעָד, 'heap of testimony') gave his name to the entire Transjordan region that half of Manasseh would inherit (Numbers 32:39-40).
The Machirites became renowned warriors—1 Chronicles 7:14-19 notes they 'took to wife' the land through military conquest. Joshua 17:1 calls Machir 'a man of war,' and his descendants the Gileadites later produced Jephthah the judge (Judges 11:1). This genealogy establishes legal claim to Gilead, the strategic plateau east of the Jordan that controlled trade routes and defended against eastern invaders.