Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 17:11
And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, [even] three countries.
11. And Manasseh had ] Six cities are now enumerated, which Manasseh received beyond the borders of his own country in Issachar and Asher, but from which he failed to expel the Canaanites.
Beth-shean ] or Beth-shan (1Sa 31:10) lies in the ghr, or Jordan valley, about 12 miles south of the Sea of Galilee, and four miles west of the Jordan. See a picture of it in Thomson’s Land and the Book, p. 454. “It is naturally,” he says, “one of the strongest places even in this country of strongholds. The ancient city consisted of several distinct quarters, or wards, separated by deep ravines, with noisy cascades leaping over ledges of black basalt. The tell is very strong, and it rises about 200 feet high, with the sides nearly perpendicular. A strong wall was carried round the summit and on this wall the bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened by the Philistines after the battle of Gilboa, and this supposition enables us to understand how the men of Jabesh-Gilead could execute their daring project of carrying them away. Jabesh-Gilead was on the mountain east of the Jordan, in full view of Beth-shean, and these brave men could creep up to the tell, along Wady Jald, without being seen, while the deafening roar of the brook would render it impossible for them to be heard.” In Solomon’s time it appears to have given its name to a district, and “all Beth-shan” was placed under one of his commissariat officers. It is mentioned in the Book of Maccabees ( 1Ma 5:52 ; 1Ma 12:40-41 ). In later times it was called Scythopolis, in consequence of its capture by the Scythians, who after their occupation of Media passed through Palestine on their way to Egypt (Herod. i. 104 106), about b.c. 600. It afterwards became the seat of a Christian bishop, and the name of Scythopolis is found as late as the Council of Constantinople, a.d. 536. It has now regained its ancient name, and is known as Beisan only.
and her towns = and her “daughter towns.”
and Ibleam ] Afterwards a Levitical city (Jos 21:25). Here Ahaziah was mortally wounded by Jehu “at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam” (2Ki 9:27).
Dor ] See above, Jos 11:2, Jos 12:23.
Endor ] is described by Eusebius as a large village four miles south of Tabor, at the N. E. corner of Jebel ed Dhy, facing Tabor, and overlooking the valley between them. The declivity of the mountain is everywhere perforated with caves, and most of the habitations are merely walls built round the entrances to them. It was one of these caves, which “the witch of Endor” inhabited, whither came King Saul, crossing in his agony of despair the shoulder of the very hill, on which the Philistines were entrenched, to consult her before the disastrous battle of Gilboa (1Sa 28:7). It was long held in memory by the Jews in connection with the famous victory over Sisera and Jabin (Psa 83:10). See Thomson’s Land and the Book, p. 446. Van de Velde, ii. 383.
Taanach ] See above, Jos 12:21.
Megiddo ] See above, Jos 12:21. “Whenever the Israelites in aggressive movements could choose their arena, they selected their own element, the mountains and the mountain-passes. The battles of Esdraelon, on the other hand, were almost all forced upon them by adverse or invading armies: and though some of their chief victories were won here, yet this plain is associated in the mind of an Israelite with mournful at least as much as with joyful recollections; two kings perished on its soil; and the two saddest dirges of the Jewish nation were evoked by the defeats of Gilboa and Megiddo.” Stanley’s S. and P., p. 338.
even three countries ] Rather, the three heights, or the triple hill. The LXX. and Vulgate translate the word as a proper name. The term brings the three cities lying on hills, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, into close connection with each other.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Perhaps Beth-shean (in Issachar) and the other five towns (in Asher) were given to the Manassites in compensation for towns in the Manassite territory allotted to the Ephraimites. (See Jos 17:9. Compare Jos 21:9.) To the wall of Beth-shean, or Bethshah (Beisan, about 5 miles west of the Jordan), the bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened by the Philistines after the battle on Mount Gilboa. After the exile it received the Greek name of Scythopolis, perhaps because it was principally tenanted by a rude and pagan population, styled in contempt Scythians. It was a border city of Galilee, and the chief town of the Decapolis. In Christian times it was the see of a bishop, who is enumerated as present at Nicaea and other Councils of the Church.
Ibleam (Bileam, 1Ch 6:70), perhaps Jelameh, was a Levitical town (Jos 21:25 note). Near this place Ahaziah was mortally wounded by Jehu (2Ki 9:27), and fled to Megiddo, which was no doubt not far distant.
Three countries – Rather the three hills. The district belonging to the last-mentioned three towns had a common name, derived no doubt from its natural features, and was called the three hills. Compare Decapolis, Tripolis, etc.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Beth-shean] Called afterwards Scythopolis; the city of the Scythians or Cuthites, those who were sent into the different Samaritan cities by the kings of Assyria.
Dor] On the Mediterranean Sea, about eight miles from Caesarea, on the road to Tyre.
En-dor] The well or fountain of Dor, the place where Saul went to consult the witch; 1Sa 28:7, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In Issachar and in Asher; either,
1. Bordering upon them, as in Asher is taken, Jos 17:10, and as Aarons rod is said to be in the ark, i.e. close by it, Heb 9:4; or,
2. Properly in them, as Ephraim had some cities in the tribe of Manasseh, Jos 16:9, and as it was not unusual, when the places allotted to any tribe was too narrow for it, and the next too large, to give away part from the larger to the less portion; nay, sometimes one whole tribe was taken into another, as Simeon was into Judahs portion, when it was found too large for Judah, Jos 19:9.
The inhabitants of Dor; not the places only, but the people; whom, contrary to Gods command, they spared and used for servants, whom therefore they are said to have or possess.
Three countries: this may be referred either to some, to wit, the three last places, or to all the places named in this verse, which are here said either to have three countries or tracts of land belonging to them, or to be in three several countries or portions, as they seem to have been, some in Issachar, and some in Asher, and yet both belonging to Manasseh. Or, the words may be rendered the third part of that country; for the Hebrew word is of the singular number, and the article seems emphatical; and so the meaning may be, that the cities and towns here mentioned are a third part of that country, i.e. of that part of Issachars and Ashers portion, in which those places lay.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. Beth-shean and her townsGreek,“Scythopolis” (now Beisan), in the valley of the Jordan,towards the east end of the plain of Jezreel. “Beth-shean”means “house of rest,” so called from its being the haltingplace for caravans travelling between Syria or Midian, and Egypt, andthe great station for the commerce between these countries for manycenturies.
Ibleam and her townsinthe neighborhood of Megiddo (2Ki9:27).
the inhabitants of Dor andher towns(now Tantoura), anciently a strong fortress; a wallof wild precipitous rock defended the shore fortifications againstattack from the land side.
En-dor and her townssituatedon a rocky eminence, four Roman miles south of Tabor.
Taanach and . . .MegiddoThese were near to each other, and they are generallymentioned in Scripture together. They were both royal and stronglyfortified places (see on Jud 1:27).
three countriesdistrictsor provinces. It is computed that Manasseh possessed in Asher andIssachar portions of ground to the extent of more than two hundredsquare miles.
Jos 17:12;Jos 17:13. CANAANITESNOT DRIVENOUT.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Manasseh had in Issachar, and in Asher, Bethshean, and her towns,…. As Ephraim had cities in Manasseh, so had Manasseh cities in these two tribes, which in some parts bordered on it, before described, even the cities following, and the first that is named is Bethshean: this lay in the tribe of Issachar, and was the uttermost border of Manasseh that way; it was, as Josephus m says, called Scythopolis; but not from the Scythians, as Pliny n suggests, but from Succoth, a place where Jacob resided, and which was not far from it, Ge 33:17; it lay before the great plain of Jezreel, and was at the entrance into it,
“After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan.” (1 Maccabees 5:52)
and was six hundred furlongs, or seventy five miles, from Jerusalem, according to:
“From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six hundred furlongs from Jerusalem,” (2 Maccabees 12:29)
and was one of the cities of Decapolis, from whence our Lord had hearers, Mt 4:25. It was such a pleasant place, that it is said in the Talmud o, that if the garden of Eden was in the land of Israel, Bethshean was the gate of it; on which the gloss says, that its fruits were the sweetest in the land of Israel:
and Ibleam and her towns; it seems to be the same with Bileam, by a transposition of the two first letters, 1Ch 6:70; and was a place not far from Megiddo, after mentioned, as appears from 2Ki 9:27;
and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns; this had been a royal city,
[See comments on Jos 11:2] and
[See comments on Jos 12:23];
and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns; this place became famous for a witch there in the times of Saul, 1Sa 28:7; in the times of Jerom p it was a large village near Mount Tabor, four miles to the south, which he calls Aeudor, of or in Jezreel; and elsewhere q he speaks of Endor, as near the town of Nain, where our Lord raised the widow’s son the dead, and is about: Scythopolis:
and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns; this had been a royal city, [See comments on Jos 12:22];
and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: this was another royal city mentioned with the former; [See comments on Jos 12:21]; there
[even] three countries; the three last cities, with their towns, that are mentioned, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo; all which perhaps belonged to Dor, and may be the Naphothdor spoken of Jos 11:2; where the same word is used as here; so Jarchi interprets it.
m Antiqu l. 12. c. 8. sect. 5. n Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 18. o T. Bab. Eruvin, fol. 19. 1. p De loc. Heb. fol. 88. L. q lbid. fol. 91. E.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11. And Manasseh had in Issachar, etc How they were so mingled as to possess some cities in the lot of Asher and Issachar, while the tribe of Ephraim dwelt between their limits, it is not easy to divine, unless, perhaps, it was perceived that a more commodious habitation would not be liable to many complaints, (156) or, perhaps, after the whole country had become more certainly known, some change was made on principles of equity in the former partition. This, therefore, seems to have been a new acquisition after it was discovered that the children of Manasseh might occupy a wider extent without loss to others. Nor was the habitation given to them a subjugated one, which they might immediately enjoy, but it was an inheritance treasured up in hope, and founded more upon heavenly promise than on actual possession. And yet their not gaining possession of those cities is attributed to their fault, because the lot assigning it to them was an indubitable pledge of victory. The reason, therefore, why they could not expel the inhabitants was, because they were not fully persuaded in their minds that God is true, and stifled his agency by their own sluggishness. But another crime still less pardonable was committed when, having it in their power easily to destroy all, they not only were slothful in executing the command of God, but, induced by filthy lucre, (157) they preserved those alive whom God had doomed to destruction. For persons, on whom we impose tribute, we in a manner take under our faith and protection. God had appointed them the ministers of his vengeance, and he supplies them with strength to execute it: they not only delay, but deprive themselves of the liberty of acting rightly. It is not strange, therefore, that God severely punished this perverse heartlessness, by making those nations whom they had pardoned in the face of a clear prohibition, to become like thorns to pierce their eyes and pricks to gall their sides.
Here, again, a question arises, How were cities granted to them in the tribe of Asher and Issachar, when the portions of both were as yet unknown? Here, therefore, that which had not yet taken place is related by way of anticipation. Be this as it may, we gather that from ignorance of the localities, single portions were not divided so exactly as not to make it necessary afterwards to correct what had been more or less decided. (158) And we must hold in general, with regard both to the tribe of Ephraim and the others, that many of the cities which they gained were of no account because of the devastation. I doubt not that many ruins here lie buried. On the other hand, we must conclude that in fertile spots, or spots possessed of other advantages, where petty villages only existed, their famous cities were founded. It is certain that Sichem was of sufficient importance to hold both a name and rank, and yet there is no mention of it here. The same is the case with Samaria, which, as is well known, belonged to the same tribe of Ephraim when it was the metropolis of the kingdom of Israel. It is plain, therefore, that each tribe possessed several cities, which are here passed over in silence.
(156) Latin, “ Nisi quia forte perspectum est; nec habitatio commodior obnoxia esset multis querimoniis.” French, “ Sinon possible qu’on voulust avoir esgard que s’ils eussent este plus a leur aise, cela eust engendre des complaintes;” “Unless it be possible that they were pleased to take it into consideration that if they had been more at their ease, that might have engendered complaints.” — Ed.
(157) Latin, “ Turpi lucro adduti.” French, “ Sous couleur de quelque gain vilain et infame;” “Under color of some vile and infamous gain.” — Ed.
(158) In the French this section of the commentary stops here, and all that follows in the Latin is omitted. It only amounts, however, to a transposition, as the omitted paragraph is inserted under the section of Jos 17:14, at the place indicated by a note. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
11. Beth-shean House of rest; the halting place for caravans from Syria or Midian to Egypt, and the emporium for the commerce of these countries. It afterwards was called in the Greek, Scythopolis, and is identified with the modern Beisan, at the east end of the plain of Esdraelon, five miles west of the Jordan. “The site of the ancient city, as of the modern village, was a splendid one, in this vast area of plain and mountain, in the midst of abundant waters and of exuberant fertility. It must have been a city of temples.” Robinson. Ibleam was near Megiddo, (2Ki 9:27,) but its exact site is unknown.
Dor See on Jos 11:2.
Endor, the abode of the necromancer consulted by Saul, (1Sa 28:7, note,) is now a village of the same name, nearly four miles south of Mount Tabor. For Taanach and Megiddo see on Jos 12:21. [It is noticeable that after the mention of Ibleam and her towns, in this verse, the inhabitants of the next four cities are named as a possession of Manasseh. This sudden transition, and the introduction of the accusative sign before inhabitants, have greatly perplexed critics. It seems best, with Knobel, to suppose that the idea of possession conveyed by the English version, ( Manasseh had,) and also by at the beginning of the verse in the Hebrew, is carried over in the writer’s mind, and applied to the inhabitants of these towns as being Manasseh’s possession, and tendering a tribute service.
Three countries Or, a triple province, having a. sort of political combination. Others render three heights, and understand that the last three cities stood on hills, “a tripolis of mountain cities, in distinction from the places on the plain.” Fay. ]
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Manasseh had to Issachar, and to Asher, Beth-shean and her towns (daughters), and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even the three heights.’
This probably signifies that these cities with their surrounding towns, making up regions, were on the border, and were seen as belonging to Manasseh while the connecting lands belonged to Issachar and Asher, with the borders not too clear. They were in territory which was dangerous to enter in order to survey it accurately. Dor and her towns formed a region which must have reached to Carmel (Jos 19:26).
Beth-shean and her towns were situated at the important junction of the Valley of Jezreel with the Jordan Valley. It is at Tell el-Husn. Two 14th century BC royal stelae of Sethos I were found there, one recording that he had a clash with the ‘pr.w (Hapiru). Thus at this time it had come back into Egyptian control. The 13th century BC level contained a temple in which a stela was found depicting a goddess with a two-horned headdress. A similar temple and a statue of Raamses III were found in the 12th century level together with anthropoid clay coffins reminiscent of the Philistines. It would seem that it was controlled by the Philistines as vassals of Egypt.
“Ibleam and her towns.” Ibleam is now Khirbet Bil‘ameh, about sixteen kilometres south east of Meggido on the road from Beth-shean (2Ki 9:27). It occurs in Egyptian lists as Ybr‘m.
“And the inhabitants of Dor and her towns.” Dor was the important seaport on the Mediterranean coast south of Carmel mentioned by Raamses II and later conquered by the Sea Peoples (the Tjeker). Its towns seemingly stretched up to Carmel.
“And the inhabitants of En-dor and her towns.” This was modern ‘En-dur, six kilometres south of Mount Tabor. It lay outside the chain of fortified towns from Beth-shean to Dor described here which prevented Manasseh’s advance on the plains.
“And the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns.” This was one of the major cities of Canaan, situated at one side of the Plain of Esdraelon, having a large population in the tens of thousands. It was an important city on the main trade route through Canaan. Excavations in Taanach produced fourteen tablets written in Akkadian cuneiform demonstrating that the language was used even between local officials. In the debris of a late bronze age destruction a tablet was found in the Canaanite cuneiform alphabet. Taanach is mentioned by Thothmes III, by Shishak, and in the Amarna letters for raiding Megiddo which was loyal to Egypt.
“And the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even the three heights.” This was the second of the two major cities of Canaan, situated on either side of the Plain of Esdraelon, again having a large population in the tens of thousands. Megiddo was the largest of the two, controlling the pass that led onto the Plain. It also was an important city on the main trade route through Canaan, and for this reason was a main target for Egypt when Egypt was strong. It also had connections with Mesopotmia, and a fragment of the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh was found on the site.
Megiddo was destroyed in about 1150 BC, well after the time of Joshua and before the time of Deborah. This may have been the work of Israel, but it could in fact have had any number of causes. Israel were not the only predators. The small settlement then built on the site may well have been an Israelite village. But Megiddo was shortly to be rebuilt by Egypt.
“Even the three heights.” It will be noted that the line from Beth-shean to Dor is covered by the first three towns, then the further three were added on, out of order. This may be because the latter were known as ‘the three heights’. This chain of fortified towns (excluding En-dor, slightly further to the north) protected the valley through which the trade routes passed. ‘With their towns’ demonstrates how towns proliferated in the plains making it difficult for Israel to make inroads there.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jos 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, [even] three countries.
Ver. 11. Bethshean. ] Afterwards called Scythopolis. 2Ma 12:29
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
towns Hebrew daughters. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia (App-6) = villages.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Manasseh: Jos 16:9, 1Ch 7:29, Beth-shean, the Scythopolis of the Greek and Roman writers, was situated in the plain of Jordan, west of that river, 120 furlongs – south from Tiberias, according to Josephus, and 600 furlongs – north from Jerusalem – 2; Mac 1Ch 12:29. It was the largest city of the Decapolis, and the only one on that side of Jordan. It is now called Bisan, 8 hours or 24 miles from Tiberias; and described by Dr. Richardson, exclusive of its ruins, as a “collection of miserable hovels, containing 200 inhabitants.” 1Sa 31:10, 1Sa 31:12, Beth-shan, 1Ki 4:12
Ibleam: 2Ki 9:27, 1Ch 6:70, Bileam
Dor: Dor, according to Eusebius, was situated on the Mediterranean, nine miles from Cesarea Palestine, towards Carmel. The village of Tortura, four leagues north of Cesarea, is supposed to nearly occupy it site. Jos 12:23, Jdg 1:27, 1Ki 4:11
Endor: 1Sa 28:7, Psa 83:10
Taanach: Jos 12:21, Jdg 5:19
Megiddo: Jdg 1:27, Jdg 5:19, 1Ki 4:12, 1Ki 9:15, 2Ki 9:27, 2Ki 23:29, 2Ki 23:30, 2Ch 35:22, Zec 12:11
Reciprocal: Jos 11:2 – Dor Jos 17:16 – Bethshean Jos 21:25 – Tanach 2Sa 21:12 – Bethshan
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 17:11. Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher, &c. In like manner as Ephraim had some cities in the tribe of Manasseh; and, as it was not unusual, when the place allotted to any tribe was too narrow for it, and the next too large, to give away part from the larger to the less portion. Inhabitants of Dor Not the places only, but the people; whom they spared and used for servants. Three countries The words may be rendered, the third part of that country; and so the meaning may be, that the cities and towns here mentioned were a third part of that country; that is, of that part of Issachars and Ashers portion, in which those places lay.