The Genealogies
Tribes index

Tribe of Israel

Manasseh

Mother line: RachelFamily place: Joseph's firstbornPatriarch: Joseph

Genesis 48 names Manasseh as Joseph's firstborn while Jacob gives Ephraim the greater blessing.

half tribe

Blessings

What the text gives

Genesis 48

Blessing

Manasseh is blessed by Jacob as Joseph's elder son, though Ephraim is placed before him.

Territory

Joshua allotment

East Manasseh receives territory in Gilead and Bashan, including the towns of Jair in Bashan and the region tied to Machir.

West Manasseh receives land by the lots of its clans, and Joshua names the daughters of Zelophehad as receiving inheritance among their father's brothers.

The western border is described beside Asher, Michmethath, Shechem, En Tappuah, and the brook Kanah, with towns also lying inside Issachar and Asher.

Where It Matters

Gilead becomes the setting for Jephthah, while Gideon is called from Ophrah in Manasseh.

Levitical Cities

Manasseh gave Golan and Beeshterah from the eastern half, and Taanach and Gath Rimmon from the western half; Golan was a city of refuge.

GolanBeeshterahTaanachGath Rimmon

Bordering Tribes

GadEphraimIssacharAsher

Notable Members

Named in Scripture

Gideon

Gideon says his clan is the weakest in Manasseh.

Jephthah

Jephthah is a Gileadite, tied to Manasseh's Transjordan setting.

Daughters of Zelophehad

The daughters of Zelophehad are named from Manasseh and receive an inheritance ruling.