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Machir מָכִיר

Male Tribe of Manasseh H4353G 6 books

Son of Manasseh; father (ie re-founder) of Gilead

Who is Machir in the Bible?

Machir was the son of Manasseh and founder of the Machirite clan, one of the most prominent families within the tribe of Manasseh (Genesis 50:23, Numbers 26:29). His descendants, the Machirites, were known for their military strength and were specifically praised in the Song of Deborah for their warrior prowess (Judges 5:14). Machir's clan settled in the land of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, where they conquered and established their territory alongside the Reubenites and Gadites (Numbers 32:39-40, Joshua 13:31). His significance in Old Testament genealogy and the inheritance narratives demonstrates the importance of his lineage in establishing one of Israel's major tribal divisions and territorial holdings.

Biography

Machir was the son of Manasseh and the father (ie re-founder) of Gilead, making him a significant ancestor of the tribe of Manasseh (Gen.50.23; Num.26.29; 1Ch.7.14). He is mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament, often in relation to the settlement and inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh. Machir's descendants, known as the Machirites, formed a substantial portion of the tribe (Num.26.29; Jos.17.1). They were known for their military prowess and were praised in the Song of Deborah (Jdg.5.14). The Machirites, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, conquered and settled in the land of Gilead, east of the Jordan River (Num.32.39-40; Deu.3.15; Jos.13.31). Machir's daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, appealed to Moses for the right to inherit their father's property in the absence of male heirs, setting a precedent for inheritance laws (Num.27.1; 36.1; Jos.17.3). Machir's descendants continued to play a role in the tribe of Manasseh, with some even marrying into the tribe of Judah (1Ch.2.21,23).

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In Scripture

6 biblical books ; 3 with study content
Genesis 1 verse
  • Genesis 50:23

    "He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees."

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Numbers 5 verses
  • Numbers 26:29

    "These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead."

  • Numbers 27:1

    "Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached"

  • Numbers 32:39

    "The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there."

  • Numbers 32:40

    "So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there."

  • Numbers 36:1

    "Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them,"

Deuteronomy 1 verse
Joshua 3 verses
  • Joshua 13:31

    "half of Gilead; and Ashtaroth and Edrei, the royal cities of Og in Bashan. All this was for the clans of the descendants of Machir son of Manasseh, that is, half of the descendants of Machir."

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  • Joshua 17:1

    "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."

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  • Joshua 17:3

    "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."

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Judges 1 verse
  • Judges 5:14

    "Some came from Ephraim, with their roots in Amalek; Benjamin came with your people after you. The commanders came down from Machir, the bearers of the marshal’s staff from Zebulun."

1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 2:21

    "Later, Hezron slept with the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead. He had married her when he was sixty years old, and she bore to him Segub."

  • 1 Chronicles 2:23

    "But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead."

  • 1 Chronicles 7:14

    "The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead."

  • 1 Chronicles 7:15

    "Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters."

  • 1 Chronicles 7:16

    "Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son, and she named him Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Meaning
Named Hebrew מָכִיר Makir , an Israelite
Group Hebrew מָכִירִי —