Zelophehad’s Daughters and Inheritance Law
Joshua 17 fulfills the LORD’s ruling through Moses that Zelophehad’s daughters should receive their father’s inheritance.
Joshua 17
Manasseh’s Inheritance, Zelophehad’s Daughters, and Joseph’s Complaint
Manasseh’s inheritance is assigned, Zelophehad’s daughters receive their promised portion, Manasseh fails to drive out Canaanites from key towns, and Joshua challenges the Joseph tribes to clear the forests and drive out the Canaanites rather than complain about limited space.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) , Public Domain · Translation notes · Reference sources
- Manasseh’s Inheritance Begins 17:1-2
The allotment for Manasseh is introduced according to clan lines.
- Zelophehad’s Daughters Receive Their Portion 17:3-6
The daughters appeal according to the LORD’s command through Moses and receive inheritance among their father’s brothers.
- Manasseh’s Territory Is Described 17:7-11
The chapter records Manasseh’s boundary and towns, including several important cities.
- Manasseh Fails to Drive Out the Canaanites 17:12-13
Canaanites persist in Manasseh’s towns and are later subjected to forced labor rather than fully driven out.
- Joseph Complains About Limited Space 17:14-16
The Joseph tribes argue that they are numerous and blessed but object that the Canaanites have iron chariots.
- Joshua Commands Faithful Possession 17:17-18
Joshua tells the Joseph tribes that their strength requires action: clear the forest and drive out the Canaanites.
Biblical Theology
How This Chapter Fits
Theological Argument
The chapter argues that covenant inheritance is governed by God’s promise, God’s justice, and God’s call to courageous possession. The daughters of Zelophehad show faithful appeal to the LORD’s word; Manasseh’s forced-labor compromise shows partial obedience; Joseph’s complaint exposes the danger of wanting more blessing without embracing harder obedience.
From inheritance assigned to inheritance protected, from territory defined to obedience compromised, from complaint about limitation to Joshua’s command for courageous possession.
- Manasseh’s inheritance continues the LORD’s faithfulness to Joseph’s line
- Zelophehad’s daughters receive inheritance because the LORD’s prior ruling must be honored
- Boundary and city records establish concrete stewardship responsibility
- Manasseh’s failure to drive out Canaanites shows compromised obedience within received inheritance
- Joseph’s descendants appeal to their size and blessing but resist the difficulty of possession
- Joshua refuses to reward complaint with ease
Christological Focus
Joshua 17 contributes to the biblical inheritance theme by showing both the righteousness of God’s promised portion and the failure of His people to possess it fully. The chapter points forward to Christ, the faithful heir, who secures the inheritance of His people, grants them access to the Father, and overcomes every enemy that intimidates faith.
The chapter argues that covenant inheritance is governed by God’s promise, God’s justice, and God’s call to courageous possession. The daughters of Zelophehad show faithful appeal to the LORD’s word; Manasseh’s forced-labor compromise shows partial obedience; Joseph’s complaint exposes the danger of wanting more blessing without embracing harder obedience.
Covenant Significance
Joshua 17 shows that the covenant land promise includes ordered inheritance, clan continuity, and justice for vulnerable family lines. Yet it also shows that inheritance can be undermined when the people of God tolerate remaining Canaanites or complain instead of obeying.
- Manasseh receives inheritance as part of Joseph’s double portion through Ephraim and Manasseh
- The daughters of Zelophehad receive inheritance according to the LORD’s command through Moses
- The allotment preserves clan identity and covenant continuity
- The remaining Canaanites in Manasseh’s towns reveal incomplete obedience
- Forced labor repeats the pattern of practical compromise instead of covenant faithfulness
Formation
Theological Burden The LORD gives inheritance justly and faithfully, but His people must possess it with courage rather than compromise or complaint.
Pastoral Burden Move believers from entitlement, fear, and managed compromise into humble appeal, courageous action, and faithful stewardship.
Character Aim A courageous, just, promise-trusting people who steward God’s gifts without fear, complaint, or partial obedience.
- Bring requests before the LORD according to His Word
- Honor prior commitments and promises in community life
- Identify areas where compromise has been normalized
- Stop using visible obstacles as excuses for disobedience
- Clear the difficult ground already assigned
Canonical Connections
Joseph’s Double Portion
The inheritances of Ephraim and Manasseh develop Jacob’s adoption and blessing of Joseph’s sons.
Forced Labor and Incomplete Possession
Manasseh’s failure continues the pattern of incomplete possession and forced labor noted with Ephraim and later expanded in Judges.
Iron Chariots and Fear
Joseph’s fear of iron chariots fits the broader biblical issue of whether Israel will fear visible military power or trust the LORD.
Inheritance as Responsibility
The Joseph tribes are not merely given inheritance; they are commanded to clear and possess it.
Manasseh’s Inheritance Begins
The allotment for Manasseh is introduced according to clan lines.
1 Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war.
2 So this allotment was for the rest of the descendants of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph.
Zelophehad’s Daughters Receive Their Portion
The daughters appeal according to the LORD’s command through Moses and receive inheritance among their father’s brothers.
3 But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4 They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.
5 Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan,
6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons. And the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.
Manasseh’s Territory Is Described
The chapter records Manasseh’s boundary and towns, including several important cities.
7 Now the border of Manasseh went from Asher to Michmethath near Shechem, then southward to include the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
8 The region of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to Ephraim.
9 From there the border continued southward to the Brook of Kanah. There were cities belonging to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh, but the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook and ended at the Sea.
10 Ephraim’s territory was to the south, and Manasseh’s was to the north, having the Sea as its border and adjoining Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.
11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh was assigned Beth-shean, Ibleam, Dor (that is, Naphath), Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, each with their surrounding settlements.
Manasseh Fails to Drive Out the Canaanites
Canaanites persist in Manasseh’s towns and are later subjected to forced labor rather than fully driven out.
12 But the descendants of Manasseh were unable to occupy these cities, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in this land.
13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they put the Canaanites to forced labor; but they failed to drive them out completely.
Joseph Complains About Limited Space
The Joseph tribes argue that they are numerous and blessed but object that the Canaanites have iron chariots.
14 Then the sons of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one portion as an inheritance? We have many people, because the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”
15 Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.”
16 “The hill country is not enough for us,” they replied, “and all the Canaanites who live in the valley have iron chariots, both in Beth-shean with its towns and in the Valley of Jezreel.”
Joshua Commands Faithful Possession
Joshua tells the Joseph tribes that their strength requires action: clear the forest and drive out the Canaanites.
17 So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment,
18 because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.”