The half-tribe or half of the tribe of Manasseh

Piper · Jul 19, 2023

Discussion last night.
Genesis 48 Jacob splits Joseph’s tribe in two. Ephraim and Manasseh.
Later when land is apportioned there is reference to the half tribe of Manasseh, but never to the half tribe of Ephraim.

Are those references to the half tribe of Manasseh saying that half of the people of Manasseh are in that group, or that all of the people of Manasseh are collectively called “the half tribe of Manasseh?”

Confusing the discussion are places where the ESV says “half of the tribe of Manasseh.”
Mostly in Joshua 13-16.

The Archangel · Jul 19, 2023

Joseph's sons essentially replace Joseph in the list of the tribes--showing Joseph to be the first-born son (even though he wasn't), because he receives the double portion of inheritance.

Before the conquest of Canaan proper, Israel had conquered land east of the Jordan river. Several of the tribes requested inheritance in the area east of the Jordan--often referred to as the "trans-Jordan." The tribes of Ruben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh (The so-called "half-tribe" of Manasseh) had their inheritance of land in the trans-Jordan region. Moses permitted this; it was carried out before the conquest of Canaan. The only stipulation given to the trans-Jordan tribes was that their warriors go and fight with the armies of Israel as they went into Canaan proper to drive-out the Canaanite nations.

So, Manasseh is the only "half-tribe" or the only tribe with two distinct land masses--one of the halves on the western side of the Jordan; one on the eastern side of the Jordan.

Yes... It can be confusing.

Blessings,

The Archangel

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