1
וַיְהִ֤י הַגּוֹרָל֙ לְמַטֵּ֣ה מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה כִּי ה֖וּא בְּכ֣וֹר יוֹסֵ֑ף לְמָכִיר֩ בְּכ֨וֹר מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה אֲבִ֣י הַגִּלְעָ֗ד כִּ֣י ה֤וּא הָיָה֙ אִ֣ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֔ה וַֽיְהִי ל֖וֹ הַגִּלְעָ֥ד וְהַבָּשָֽׁן
And the lot fell to the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph — to Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, father of Gilead, for he was a man of war, Gilead and Bashan became his.
Opens the Manasseh allotment with the characteristic wayehi formula. The firstborn notices (Manasseh of Joseph, Machir of Manasseh) ground the tribe's territorial priority in birth-order and, for Machir, in proven military prowess (ʾîsh milchamah) — explaining why his line already held Gilead and Bashan before the main Cisjordanian lot is described.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיְהִ֤יand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main-clause predicate)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening the chapter's noticeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the narrative-opening formula 'and it was/came to be,' introducing the notice of the lot.
הַגּוֹרָל֙the lotart + N m sg abs · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Subject of וַיְהִיגּוֹרָל (H1486) 'lot, portion assigned by lot'; the mechanism of tribal land distribution throughout Joshua 13-19.
לְמַטֵּ֣הfor the tribe ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Predicate complement (benefactive)מַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, tribe' (via the tribal staff as emblem); construct with מְנַשֶּׁה, 'the tribe of Manasseh.'
מְנַשֶּׁ֔הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after מַטֵּה (construct chain)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519) 'Manasseh,' Joseph's elder son (Gen 41:51); here the tribe receiving its lot east and west of the Jordan.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing ground clauseכִּי (H3588) causal 'for, because'; grounds the tribe's priority in Joseph's birthright status.
ה֖וּאheindependent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic, resumptive)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; emphasizes the subject before the predicate nominative בְּכוֹר יוֹסֵף.
בְּכ֣וֹרthe firstborn ofN m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Predicate nominativeבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; Manasseh is Joseph's actual elder son, though Jacob crossed hands to bless Ephraim first (Gen 48:14-20) — the birthright status is nonetheless recalled here.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive after בְּכוֹר (construct chain)יוֹסֵף (H3130) 'Joseph,' whose double portion (Gen 48:5) is realized in the two half-tribes Manasseh and Ephraim receiving separate territories.
לְמָכִיר֩for Machirprep לְ + proper noun · מָכִיר (H4353)Dative of possession, resuming the topicמָכִיר (H4353) 'Machir,' Manasseh's son (Gen 50:23), whose clan settled Gilead; the לְ resumes the topic to specify his line.
בְּכ֨וֹרfirstborn ofN m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Apposition/predicate to Machirבְּכוֹר (H1060); Machir as Manasseh's firstborn, explaining his clan's priority in receiving Gilead.
מְנַשֶּׁ֜הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after בְּכוֹרמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); repeated to specify whose firstborn Machir was.
אֲבִ֣יfather ofN m sg constr · אָב (H1)Apposition to Machirאָב (H1) 'father'; extended sense 'ancestor/founder' — Machir as progenitor of the Gileadite clan.
הַגִּלְעָ֗דGileadart + proper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Genitive after אֲבִי (construct)גִּלְעָד (H1568) the Transjordanian highland and its eponymous clan-ancestor; Machir 'fathered' both the man/clan and the territory named for him (cf. Num 26:29; 32:39-40).
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for'; grounds Machir's/Gilead's standing in his military reputation.
ה֤וּאheindependent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic)הוּא (H1931), emphatic subject before the predicate nominal clause אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה.
הָיָה֙wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled, characterizing state — 'he was [and remained] a man of war'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the perfect here expresses a standing characteristic rather than a single past event.
אִ֣ישׁa man ofN m sg constr · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; construct with מִלְחָמָה forms the idiom 'man of war,' a warrior — explaining why Machir's line secured Gilead by conquest.
מִלְחָמָ֔הwarN f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive completing construct chainמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle,' from the root לחם 'to fight'; the phrase אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה marks Machir as a proven warrior-conqueror.
וַֽיְהִיand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance reporting the outcome — Gilead and Bashan become hisהָיָה (H1961); the second wayyiqtol of the verse reports the territorial result of Machir's military reputation.
ל֖וֹhisprep לְ + 3ms suff · לPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ + 3ms suffix, dative of possession: 'were his.'
הַגִּלְעָ֥דGileadart + proper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Subject of וַיְהִיגִּלְעָד (H1568); the region already secured, distinct from the ten additional portions allotted west of the Jordan (v. 5).
וְהַבָּשָֽׁןand Bashanconj וְ + art + proper noun · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Coordinate subject of וַיְהִיבָּשָׁן (H1316) the fertile plateau north of Gilead, conquered from Og (Num 21:33-35); together Gilead-and-Bashan form Manasseh's Transjordanian holding, distinct from its Cisjordanian lot (vv. 7-10).
2
וַ֠יְהִי לִבְנֵ֨י מְנַשֶּׁ֥ה הַנּוֹתָרִים֮ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לִבְנֵ֨י אֲבִיעֶ֜זֶר וְלִבְנֵי חֵ֗לֶק וְלִבְנֵ֤י אַשְׂרִיאֵל֙ וְלִבְנֵי שֶׁ֔כֶם וְלִבְנֵי חֵ֖פֶר וְלִבְנֵ֣י שְׁמִידָ֑ע אֵ֠לֶּה בְּנֵ֨י מְנַשֶּׁ֧ה בֶּן יוֹסֵ֛ף הַזְּכָרִ֖ים לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם
And there was a portion for the rest of the sons of Manasseh, by their clans: for the sons of Abiezer, and for the sons of Helek, and for the sons of Asriel, and for the sons of Shechem, and for the sons of Hepher, and for the sons of Shemida — these are the sons of Manasseh son of Joseph, the males, by their clans.
A genealogical roster of Manasseh's six remaining male clans (beyond Machir), following the Numbers 26:29-33 census list. The explicit 'males' (hazzekharim) sets up the pointed contrast of v. 3: Zelophehad, of the Hepher clan just named, had no sons at all — only daughters, who must be introduced as a case outside this male roster.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַ֠יְהִיand there wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, introducing the clan listהָיָה (H1961); introduces the enumeration of Manasseh's remaining clans (beyond Machir, already treated in v. 1).
לִבְנֵ֨יfor the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate complement (dative)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural 'sons of,' opening the clan-list formula repeated six times in this verse.
מְנַשֶּׁ֥הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after בְּנֵימְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); the tribal ancestor whose remaining (non-Machirite) descendants are now listed.
הַנּוֹתָרִים֮the remainingart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · יָתַר (H3498)Attributive participle modifying בְּנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה→ Participle: an ongoing classifying state — those who 'remain' as distinct from Machir's lineיָתַר (H3498) Niphal 'to be left over, remain'; distinguishes the six clans here listed from Machir, whose portion (Gilead/Bashan) was already assigned in v. 1.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒by their clansprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial phrase of distributionמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the standard unit of tribal land distribution (cf. Num 26:52-56).
לִבְנֵ֨יfor the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate complement (dative)בֵּן (H1121); first of six named clans, Abiezer.
אֲבִיעֶ֜זֶרAbiezerproper noun · אֲבִיעֶזֶר (H44)Genitive after בְנֵיאֲבִיעֶזֶר (H44) 'Abiezer,' eponym of the clan that would later produce the judge Gideon (Judg 6:11, 24, 34).
וְלִבְנֵיand for the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate predicate complementבֵּן (H1121); second named clan, Helek.
חֵ֗לֶקHelekproper noun · חֵלֶק (H2507)Genitive after בְנֵיחֵלֶק (H2507) 'Helek,' one of the six Manassite clans (cf. Num 26:30).
וְלִבְנֵ֤יand for the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate predicate complementבֵּן (H1121); third named clan, Asriel.
אַשְׂרִיאֵל֙Asrielproper noun · אַשְׂרִיאֵל (H844)Genitive after בְנֵיאַשְׂרִיאֵל (H844) 'Asriel,' a Manassite clan-ancestor (Num 26:31).
וְלִבְנֵיand for the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate predicate complementבֵּן (H1121); fourth named clan, Shechem.
שֶׁ֔כֶםShechemproper noun · שֶׁכֶם (H7928)Genitive after בְנֵישֶׁכֶם (H7928) 'Shechem,' the clan-ancestor whose name the central hill-country city also bears (Num 26:31; cf. v. 7 below).
וְלִבְנֵיand for the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate predicate complementבֵּן (H1121); fifth named clan, Hepher.
חֵ֖פֶרHepherproper noun · חֵפֶר (H2660)Genitive after בְנֵיחֵפֶר (H2660) 'Hepher,' clan-ancestor and father of Zelophehad (v. 3; Num 26:32-33).
וְלִבְנֵ֣יand for the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate predicate complementבֵּן (H1121); sixth and final named clan, Shemida.
שְׁמִידָ֑עShemidaproper noun · שְׁמִידָע (H8061)Genitive after בְנֵישְׁמִידָע (H8061) 'Shemida,' the sixth Manassite clan-ancestor (Num 26:32).
אֵ֠לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive summation)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; summarizes and closes the six-clan list.
בְּנֵ֨יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominativeבֵּן (H1121); construct chain resuming the genealogical frame.
מְנַשֶּׁ֧הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive (construct)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Manassehבֵּן (H1121) singular, identifying Manasseh himself as Joseph's son — reasserting the chain Joseph > Manasseh > six clans.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive after בֶּןיוֹסֵף (H3130).
הַזְּכָרִ֖יםthe malesart + N m pl abs · זָכָר (H2145)Apposition to בְּנֵי מְנַשֶּׁהזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifies these six clans as the male line — a foil for the daughters of Zelophehad in vv. 3-6, who inherit despite having no brothers in their own father's house.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽםby their clansprep לְ + N f pl constr + 3mp suff · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Adverbial phrase of distribution (resumptive)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940); repeated at the close to frame the whole verse as a clan-by-clan register.
3
וְלִצְלָפְחָד֩ בֶּן חֵ֨פֶר בֶּן גִּלְעָ֜ד בֶּן מָכִ֣יר בֶּן מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה לֹא הָ֥יוּ ל֛וֹ בָּנִ֖ים כִּ֣י אִם בָּנ֑וֹת וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ שְׁמ֣וֹת בְּנֹתָ֔יו מַחְלָ֣ה וְנֹעָ֔ה חָגְלָ֥ה מִלְכָּ֖ה וְתִרְצָֽה
But Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons — only daughters. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
A subordinate genealogical aside breaks the clan roster to introduce a legal exception: Zelophehad, within the Hepher clan just listed, left no sons. The four-generation pedigree (matching Num 27:1) certifies the daughters' standing before naming all five, setting up the formal petition of v. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְלִצְלָפְחָד֩and for Zelophehadconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · צְלָפְחָד (H6765)Dative topic-marker, introducing new subjectצְלָפְחָד (H6765) 'Zelophehad,' of the Hepher clan (v. 2); his case (Num 27:1-11; 36:1-12) establishes the precedent for daughters inheriting when there is no son.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Zelophehadבֵּן (H1121); opens a four-generation genealogical chain back to Manasseh, establishing Zelophehad's clan standing.
חֵ֨פֶרHepherproper noun · חֵפֶר (H2660)Genitive after בֶּןחֵפֶר (H2660); the clan-ancestor named in v. 2.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Hepherבֵּן (H1121); second link in the genealogical chain.
גִּלְעָ֜דGileadproper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Genitive after בֶּןגִּלְעָד (H1568); here the clan-ancestor, distinct from the region also so named (v. 1).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Gileadבֵּן (H1121); third link in the genealogical chain.
מָכִ֣ירMachirproper noun · מָכִיר (H4353)Genitive after בֶּןמָכִיר (H4353); the warrior-ancestor of v. 1.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Machirבֵּן (H1121); final link in the genealogical chain.
מְנַשֶּׁ֗הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after בֶּן, closing the genealogyמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); the chain Zelophehad-Hepher-Gilead-Machir-Manasseh matches Num 27:1 exactly, certifying legal standing before the assembly.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הָיוּלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal negative.
הָ֥יוּthere wereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, negated)→ Perfective: a settled fact — he simply had no sonsהָיָה (H1961) existential 'to be, exist'; the negated perfect states the plain fact triggering the legal problem.
ל֛וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suff · לDative of possessionלְ + 3ms suffix, possessive dative: 'he had no sons.'
בָּנִ֖יםsonsN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of הָיוּבֵּן (H1121) 'sons'; the absence of male heirs is the legal crux driving vv. 3-6 (cf. Num 27:1-4).
כִּ֣יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative, paired with אִםכִּי אִם (H3588 + H518) 'but rather, except'; the compound restrictive construction correcting the negated statement.
אִםratherconj · אִם (H518)Second element of כִּי אִם constructionאִם (H518) here not conditional but completing the restrictive idiom כִּי...אִם, 'except, but only.'
בָּנ֑וֹתdaughtersN f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Predicate noun (restrictive)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the pivot word of the whole pericope — Zelophehad's line survives only through daughters.
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙and theseconj וְ + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject, introducing the namingאֵלֶּה (H428); introduces the formal enumeration of the daughters' names.
שְׁמ֣וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominativeשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the formal naming gives the daughters individual legal identity in the record, unusual weight for women in these tribal lists.
בְּנֹתָ֔יוhis daughtersN f pl constr + 3ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Genitive after שְׁמוֹתבַּת (H1323) with 3ms suffix, 'his daughters' — Zelophehad's.
מַחְלָ֣הMahlahproper noun · מַחְלָה (H4244)Appositive, first name in listמַחְלָה (H4244) 'Mahlah,' the eldest of Zelophehad's five daughters (Num 26:33; 27:1; 36:11).
וְנֹעָ֔הand Noahconj וְ + proper noun · נֹעָה (H5270)Appositive, second nameנֹעָה (H5270) 'Noah' (not the flood patriarch); second-named daughter.
חָגְלָ֥הHoglahproper noun · חָגְלָה (H2295)Appositive, third nameחָגְלָה (H2295) 'Hoglah,' third-named daughter; the same name appears in the place-name Beth-hoglah on the Benjamin border (18:19-21).
מִלְכָּ֖הMilcahproper noun · מִלְכָּה (H4435)Appositive, fourth nameמִלְכָּה (H4435) 'Milcah,' meaning 'queen'; fourth-named daughter.
וְתִרְצָֽהand Tirzahconj וְ + proper noun · תִרְצָה (H8656)Appositive, fifth and final nameתִרְצָה (H8656) 'Tirzah,' fifth-named daughter, whose name later designates an early capital of the northern kingdom (1 Kgs 14:17); the same five names recur verbatim in Num 26:33; 27:1; 36:11 as a fixed legal formula.
4
וַתִּקְרַ֡בְנָה לִפְנֵי֩ אֶלְעָזָ֨ר הַכֹּהֵ֜ן וְלִפְנֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בִּן נ֗וּן וְלִפְנֵ֤י הַנְּשִׂיאִים֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְהוָה֙ צִוָּ֣ה אֶת מֹשֶׁ֔ה לָֽתֶת לָ֥נוּ נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ אַחֵ֑ינוּ וַיִּתֵּ֨ן לָהֶ֜ם אֶל פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ נַֽחֲלָ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ אֲחֵ֥י אֲבִיהֶֽן
And they drew near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua son of Nun, and before the leaders, saying, "YHWH commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So he gave them, according to the mouth of YHWH, an inheritance among their father's brothers.
The narrative peak of the pericope: a formal legal petition before the full tribunal (priest, civil leader, tribal heads), citing YHWH's own prior command as precedent, followed immediately by its enactment. The closing phrase 'according to the mouth of YHWH' is the narrator's own verification that Joshua's ruling is no mere accommodation but a faithful execution of divine law.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
וַתִּקְרַ֡בְנָהand they drew nearconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fp · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main-clause predicate)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the daughters formally approach the tribunalקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach,' often in legal/cultic contexts of formally presenting oneself before authority; the 3fp form marks the daughters as the subject and actors of the scene.
לִפְנֵי֩beforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic 'before, in the presence of,' marking formal appearance before the leadership.
אֶלְעָזָ֨רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Object of לִפְנֵיאֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'Eleazar,' Aaron's son and successor as high priest (Num 20:25-28), co-authority with Joshua over the land division (Num 34:17).
הַכֹּהֵ֜ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to Eleazarכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; identifies Eleazar's office, the religious authority validating the land allotment alongside Joshua's civil authority.
וְלִפְנֵ֣יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Coordinate locative phraseפָּנִים (H6440); repeated to introduce the second addressee, Joshua.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'Joshua,' Moses' successor, presiding over the land allotment.
בִּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Joshuaבֵּן (H1121); identifies Joshua's paternity.
נ֗וּןNunproper noun · נוּן (H5126)Genitive after בִּןנוּן (H5126) 'Nun,' Joshua's father, of the tribe of Ephraim (Num 13:8, 16).
וְלִפְנֵ֤יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Coordinate locative phraseפָּנִים (H6440); third and final addressee introduced, the tribal leaders collectively.
הַנְּשִׂיאִים֙the leadersart + N m pl abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Object of לִפְנֵינָשִׂיא (H5387) 'chief, leader, prince'; the tribal representatives who together with Eleazar and Joshua constitute the full deciding body (cf. Num 27:2).
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of manner introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: introduces the verbatim petition that followsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula opening reported speech.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of God; the daughters ground their claim directly in divine command, not mere custom.
צִוָּ֣הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause of quoted speech)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative decree already givenצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; used of divine legislation — the daughters cite a specific prior command to Moses (Num 27:6-7).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking Moses as the definite direct object of צִוָּה; untranslated in English.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; the recipient of the original divine ruling in Num 27, now invoked as binding precedent.
לָֽתֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive of purpose/content, complement of צִוָּה→ Infinitive construct: specifies the content of the command — 'to give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the infinitive states the substance of YHWH's command to Moses.
לָ֥נוּto usprep לְ + 1cp suff · לIndirect object of לָתֶתלְ + 1cp suffix, 'to us' — the daughters as intended recipients.
נַחֲלָ֖הan inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct object of לָתֶתנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, hereditary property'; the central legal term of the whole land-division narrative (Joshua 13-21).
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial phrase of locationתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, among'; specifies the daughters' inheritance is to be located among, not separate from, the male relatives.
אַחֵ֑ינוּour brothersN m pl constr + 1cp suff · אָח (H251)Genitive after בְּתוֹךְאָח (H251) 'brother'; here loosely 'kinsmen, male relatives' of the wider Manassite clan, since the daughters have no actual brothers (v. 3).
וַיִּתֵּ֨ןand he gaveconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (resolution)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the petition succeeds and is enactedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; subject is Joshua (or the leadership collectively), reporting that the request was granted exactly as asked.
לָהֶ֜םto themprep לְ + 3mp suff · לIndirect object of וַיִּתֵּןלְ + 3mp suffix, 'to them' — the daughters, referenced with masculine plural suffix as grammatically typical for a mixed/generic group in Hebrew.
אֶלaccording toprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of standard/normאֶל (H413) here idiomatic with פֶּה, 'according to the mouth of,' i.e. by the authoritative word of.
פִּ֤יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of אֶל (construct)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; construct with יְהוָה in the idiom 'the mouth of YHWH,' i.e. his spoken word/command — the narrator confirms Joshua's ruling matches divine instruction, not mere sympathy.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive after פִּייְהוָה (H3068); the narrator's own voice now confirms what the daughters claimed — the grant genuinely rests on YHWH's word.
נַֽחֲלָ֔הan inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּןנַחֲלָה (H5159); repeated to confirm the grant matches the request exactly.
בְּת֖וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial phrase of locationתָּוֶךְ (H8432); repeated, confirming the inheritance's location among kinsmen as requested.
אֲחֵ֥יthe brothers ofN m pl constr · אָח (H251)Genitive after בְּתוֹךְ (construct)אָח (H251); here specified as 'their father's brothers,' i.e. their paternal kinsmen in the Hepher clan.
אֲבִיהֶֽןtheir fatherN m sg constr + 3fp suff · אָב (H1)Genitive after אֲחֵי (construct chain)אָב (H1) with 3fp suffix; the feminine plural suffix explicitly marks the daughters as referents — the inheritance falls 'among their father's brothers,' within Zelophehad's own paternal clan, not diffused elsewhere.
5
וַיִּפְּל֥וּ חַבְלֵֽי מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה עֲשָׂרָ֑ה לְבַ֞ד מֵאֶ֤רֶץ הַגִּלְעָד֙ וְהַבָּשָׁ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּֽן
And ten portions fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan.
A summarizing arithmetic notice: the five sons-clans (Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Shemida) plus the five daughters of Zelophehad, each daughter reckoned a full heir, together total ten Cisjordanian portions — explained explicitly in v. 6. This is counted separately from, 'besides,' the two already-secured Transjordanian regions of v. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּפְּל֥וּand there fellconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — reports the tally of allotted portionsנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; idiomatic of territory 'falling' by lot, echoing גּוֹרָל 'lot' (v. 1) — the outcome is framed as providentially assigned, not negotiated.
חַבְלֵֽיthe portions ofN c pl constr · חֶבֶל (H2256)Subject of וַיִּפְּלוּחֶבֶל (H2256) lit. 'rope, cord' (a measuring line), by extension 'measured portion, allotment'; a concrete image of land surveyed by cord.
מְנַשֶּׁ֖הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after חַבְלֵימְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
עֲשָׂרָ֑הtencardinal number m sg · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Numeral modifying חַבְלֵיעֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; the tally works out to five named clans (Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Shemida) plus the five daughters of Zelophehad each reckoned an heir in place of their father's clan (Hepher), yielding ten shares west of the Jordan.
לְבַ֞דbesidesprep לְ + N m sg abs · בַּד (H905)Adverbial phrase of exceptionבַּד (H905) 'separation, apartness'; idiom לְבַד 'apart from, besides' — these ten are in addition to Gilead and Bashan already secured by Machir (v. 1).
מֵאֶ֤רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of לְבַדאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; introduces the Transjordanian territory excluded from this ten-portion tally.
הַגִּלְעָד֙Gileadart + proper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Genitive after אֶרֶץגִּלְעָד (H1568).
וְהַבָּשָׁ֔ןand Bashanconj וְ + art + proper noun · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Coordinate genitiveבָּשָׁן (H1316); Gilead-and-Bashan already counted as Machir's separate Transjordanian holding (v. 1), hence excluded from this tally.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker modifying Gilead/Bashanאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun 'which, that.'
מֵעֵ֥בֶרbeyondprep מִן + N m sg abs · עֵבֶר (H5676)Predicate of relative clauseעֵבֶר (H5676) 'side, region across'; idiom מֵעֵבֶר לְ 'on the other side of,' i.e. east of the Jordan from the perspective of Cisjordanian Israel.
לַיַּרְדֵּֽןthe Jordanprep לְ + art + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Object of מֵעֵבֶריַרְדֵּן (H3383) 'Jordan,' the river dividing Israel's eastern and western tribal territories.
6
כִּ֚י בְּנ֣וֹת מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה נָחֲל֥וּ נַחֲלָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ בָּנָ֑יו וְאֶ֨רֶץ֙ הַגִּלְעָ֔ד הָיְתָ֥ה לִבְנֵֽי מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה הַנּֽוֹתָרִֽים
For the daughters of Manasseh inherited an inheritance among his sons, while the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the sons of Manasseh.
Explicitly states the arithmetic behind v. 5's 'ten portions': because the daughters received full shares alongside their uncles' clans, the tally of heirs rises from five clans to ten. The verse closes the Zelophehad episode by pairing the daughters' Cisjordanian shares with Gilead's assignment to the remaining clans, before the border description resumes in v. 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, explaining the ten-portion tally of v. 5כִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; grounds v. 5's number by explaining that the daughters inherited alongside the sons.
בְּנ֣וֹתthe daughters ofN f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Subject of נָחֲלוּבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; plural construct, subject of the verse's key claim.
מְנַשֶּׁ֔הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after בְּנוֹתמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
נָחֲל֥וּinheritedQal perf 3cp · נָחַל (H5157)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, legally settled act of inheritanceנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession as a heritage'; the daughters are the grammatical subject of the very verb normally reserved for sons — the legal watershed of the pericope stated in one word.
נַחֲלָ֖הan inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Cognate accusative (direct object)נַחֲלָה (H5159); cognate accusative with נָחֲלוּ, emphasizing the completeness of the act — 'they inherited an inheritance.'
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial phrase of locationתָּוֶךְ (H8432); the daughters' portion is integrated among, not segregated from, their male kin.
בָּנָ֑יוhis sonsN m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive after בְּתוֹךְבֵּן (H1121) with 3ms suffix, 'his sons' — Manasseh's (other) male-line descendants/clans collectively; the daughters inherit right alongside them.
וְאֶ֨רֶץ֙and the land ofconj וְ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of הָיְתָהאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; introduces the second half of the verse's summary — Gilead's disposition.
הַגִּלְעָ֔דGileadart + proper noun · גִּלְעָד (H1568)Genitive after אֶרֶץגִּלְעָד (H1568); repeats the region from v. 1, here assigned to the remaining (non-Machirite) clans.
הָיְתָ֥הbecameQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled disposition — Gilead's assignment is now fixedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the final disposition of Gilead's land.
לִבְנֵֽיto the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate complementבֵּן (H1121); Gilead itself (the region, distinct from Machir's inheritance already fixed in v. 1) belongs to Manasseh's other, non-Machirite descendants.
מְנַשֶּׁ֖הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after בְּנֵימְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
הַנּֽוֹתָרִֽיםthe remainingart + Niphal ptc m pl abs · יָתַר (H3498)Attributive participle modifying בְּנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה→ Participle: an ongoing classifying state, resuming the term from v. 2יָתַר (H3498) Niphal 'to remain'; echoes v. 2's הַנּוֹתָרִים, confirming these are the same six clans, who now also hold the Transjordanian region of Gilead alongside their Cisjordanian shares.
7
וַיְהִ֤י גְבוּל מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מֵֽאָשֵׁ֔ר הַֽמִּכְמְתָ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל פְּנֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וְהָלַ֤ךְ הַגְּבוּל֙ אֶל הַיָּמִ֔ין אֶל יֹשְׁבֵ֖י עֵ֥ין תַּפּֽוּחַ
And the border of Manasseh ran from Asher to Michmethath, which is before Shechem; and the border went southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
Shifts from the daughters' legal case to the technical genre of a tribal boundary survey (matching the pattern of chs. 15-19), tracing Manasseh's territory point by point from the Asher border down past Shechem to En-tappuah, preparing for the enclave complication of v. 8.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְהִ֤יand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, opening the border description→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, shifting from the daughters' case to the tribal boundary descriptionהָיָה (H1961); formulaic opening for the boundary description, the standard Joshua 13-19 idiom.
גְבוּלthe border ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subject of וַיְהִיגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; opens the technical geographic description running through v. 10.
מְנַשֶּׁה֙Manassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after גְּבוּלמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
מֵֽאָשֵׁ֔רfrom Asherprep מִן + proper noun · אָשֵׁר (H836)Predicate complement (locative)אָשֵׁר (H836) 'Asher,' the tribe whose territory lies along Manasseh's northern edge (cf. v. 10).
הַֽמִּכְמְתָ֔תMichmethathart + proper noun · מִכְמְתָת (H4366)Appositive/locative marker (site named)מִכְמְתָת (H4366) 'Michmethath,' a boundary site whose exact location is disputed (perhaps near Khirbet Juleijil), east of Shechem.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker modifying מִכְמְתָתאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun, introducing the site's location description.
עַלbeforeprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; idiomatic עַל פְּנֵי 'in front of, facing.'
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom עַל־פְּנֵי 'facing, in front of' — Michmethath lay opposite Shechem.
שְׁכֶ֑םShechemproper noun · שְׁכֶם (H7927)Genitive after פְּנֵישְׁכֶם (H7927) 'Shechem,' the major central hill-country city (distinct from the Manassite clan-ancestor of the same name, v. 2), an important covenant site (Josh 24:1, 25).
וְהָלַ֤ךְand it wentconj וְ + weqatal (Qal perf) 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Weqatal continuing the boundary description→ Weqatal: describes the boundary's course as a fixed, repeatable lineהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; personifies the border as 'going' — the standard idiom for tracing a boundary line in these chapters.
הַגְּבוּל֙the borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subject of וְהָלַךְגְּבוּל (H1366); the border itself as grammatical subject of motion.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the direction of the boundary's course.
הַיָּמִ֔יןthe right hand (south)art + N f sg abs · יָמִין (H3225)Object of אֶליָמִין (H3225) 'right hand'; by orientation (facing east) the right hand is south — hence 'southward.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413); second directional marker, introducing the inhabitants named as a landmark.
יֹשְׁבֵ֖יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, object of אֶל→ Participle: an ongoing state — 'those dwelling,' the resident populationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the participle 'those dwelling (at)' functions as a settlement's name-marker, a recurring idiom in the border lists.
עֵ֥יןEn-proper noun (first element) · עֵין תַּפּוּחַ (H5887)Object of יֹשְׁבֵי (first element of compound toponym)עֵין (part of H5887) 'spring'; first element of the compound place-name En-tappuah, 'spring of Tappuah.'
תַּפּֽוּחַ-tappuahproper noun (second element) · עֵין תַּפּוּחַ (H5887)Second element of compound toponymתַּפּוּחַ (part of H5887) 'apple/apple-town'; second element completing En-tappuah — distinct from the town Tappuah itself named in v. 8 (H8599).
8
לִמְנַשֶּׁ֕ה הָיְתָ֖ה אֶ֣רֶץ תַּפּ֑וּחַ וְתַפּ֛וּחַ אֶל גְּב֥וּל מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה לִבְנֵ֥י אֶפְרָֽיִם
The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself, on the border of Manasseh, belonged to the sons of Ephraim.
A precise legal-geographic clarification distinguishing the district ('the land of Tappuah,' Manasseh's) from the town itself (assigned to Ephraim) — an enclave sitting exactly astride the tribal border, illustrating how intricately the two Joseph tribes' territories interlocked despite their shared ancestry.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לִמְנַשֶּׁ֕הto Manassehprep לְ + proper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Predicate complement (possessive dative), fronted for emphasisמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); fronted before the verb to emphasize the enclave belongs to Manasseh even though its border town does not (v. 8b).
הָיְתָ֖הbelongedQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled legal fact of ownershipהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, belong to'; states ownership of the surrounding land.
אֶ֣רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of הָיְתָהאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the surrounding territory, distinct from the town itself (v. 8b).
תַּפּ֑וּחַTappuahproper noun · תַּפּוּחַ (H8599)Genitive after אֶרֶץתַּפּוּחַ (H8599) 'Tappuah,' 'apple/apple-town,' a district and town on the Manasseh-Ephraim border, distinct from En-tappuah of v. 7 (H5887).
וְתַפּ֛וּחַbut Tappuahconj וְ + proper noun · תַּפּוּחַ (H8599)Subject of an elided verb (contrastive clause)תַּפּוּחַ (H8599); repeated with adversative force — the town itself, unlike its surrounding land, lies across the border in Ephraim's territory.
אֶלonprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) here locative, 'at, on' the border.
גְּב֥וּלthe border ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Object of אֶלגְּבוּל (H1366); the town sits precisely on the boundary line itself.
מְנַשֶּׁ֖הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after גְּבוּלמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
לִבְנֵ֥יto the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate complement (possessive dative)בֵּן (H1121); the town Tappuah itself is assigned to Ephraim, not Manasseh — a small enclave carved out within Manassite land.
אֶפְרָֽיִםEphraimproper noun · אֶפְרָיִם (H669)Genitive after בְּנֵיאֶפְרָיִם (H669) 'Ephraim,' Joseph's younger son (Gen 41:52) and Manasseh's sibling half-tribe; the Tappuah enclave illustrates the intricate interlocking of the two Joseph tribes' territories.
9
וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּבוּל֩ נַ֨חַל קָנָ֜ה נֶ֣גְבָּה לַנַּ֗חַל עָרִ֤ים הָאֵ֨לֶּה֙ לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם בְּת֖וֹךְ עָרֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וּגְב֤וּל מְנַשֶּׁה֙ מִצְּפ֣וֹן לַנַּ֔חַל וַיְהִ֥י תֹצְאֹתָ֖יו הַיָּֽמָּה
And the border goes down to the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook. These cities belong to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh. And the border of Manasseh is on the north side of the brook, and its outlets are at the sea.
Continues the survey southward to the Kanah ravine while pausing to note a second Ephraimite enclave (cities south of the brook, within Manassite territory) before resuming and closing the western boundary segment at the Mediterranean — the mirror image of v. 8's Tappuah enclave.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְיָרַ֣דand it goes downconj וְ + weqatal (Qal perf) 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Weqatal continuing the boundary description→ Weqatal: describes the boundary's continuing course southwardיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the border's course follows the terrain downward toward the Kanah ravine.
הַגְּבוּל֩the borderart + N m sg abs · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subject of וְיָרַדגְּבוּל (H1366); resumes as subject of the boundary's motion.
נַ֨חַלthe brook ofN m sg constr · נַחַל (H5158)Object of וְיָרַד (locative accusative)נַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, brook, ravine'; construct with קָנָה, the Kanah ravine forming much of the Manasseh-Ephraim border.
קָנָ֜הKanahproper noun · קָנָה (H7071)Genitive after נַחַלקָנָה (H7071) 'Kanah,' lit. 'reed'; the wadi (likely modern Wadi Qana) running west to the Mediterranean, the chief south-border landmark of Manasseh's Cisjordanian territory.
נֶ֣גְבָּהsouthwardN m sg abs + directional ה · נֶגֶב (H5045)Adverbial accusative of directionנֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; with directional הֵ suffix, 'southward,' specifying which side of the brook belongs to Ephraim.
לַנַּ֗חַלof the brookprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · נַחַל (H5158)Adverbial phrase specifying orientationנַחַל (H5158); repeated to specify the cities' location south of the brook.
עָרִ֤יםthe citiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Subject (resumptive, of an elided verb 'belong')עִיר (H5892) 'city'; introduces the note about the cities south of the brook.
הָאֵ֨לֶּה֙theseart + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive to עָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the cities just referenced (south of the Kanah).
לְאֶפְרַ֔יִםbelong to Ephraimprep לְ + proper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Predicate complement (possessive dative)אֶפְרַיִם (H669); these southern cities, though within Manassite territory generally, are assigned to Ephraim.
בְּת֖וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial phrase of locationתָּוֶךְ (H8432); these Ephraimite cities sit surrounded by, enclaved within, Manasseh's cities.
עָרֵ֣יthe cities ofN f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Genitive after בְּתוֹךְעִיר (H5892); construct, 'the cities of Manasseh' surrounding the Ephraimite enclave.
מְנַשֶּׁ֑הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after עָרֵימְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
וּגְב֤וּלand the border ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Subject (new clause)גְּבוּל (H1366); resumes the main boundary description after the enclave note.
מְנַשֶּׁה֙Manassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after גְּבוּלמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
מִצְּפ֣וֹןnorth ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · צָפוֹן (H6828)Predicate complement (locative)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; Manasseh's own territory extends north of the brook, in contrast to the enclave cities just described.
לַנַּ֔חַלof the brookprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · נַחַל (H5158)Object of מִצְּפוֹןנַחַל (H5158); the Kanah again, marking the border line.
וַיְהִ֥יand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, closing the segment with the border's terminusהָיָה (H1961); reports the endpoint of this stretch of border.
תֹצְאֹתָ֖יוits outletsN f pl constr + 3ms suff · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subject of וַיְהִיתּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'outgoing, extremity, terminus'; technical surveying term for a boundary's endpoint, recurring throughout the tribal border lists.
הַיָּֽמָּהat the seaart + N m sg abs + directional ה · יָם (H3220)Predicate complement (locative)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; with directional הֵ, 'seaward, to the sea' — the Mediterranean, marking the western terminus of this boundary segment.
10
נֶ֣גְבָּה לְאֶפְרַ֗יִם וְצָפ֨וֹנָה֙ לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וַיְהִ֥י הַיָּ֖ם גְּבוּל֑וֹ וּבְאָשֵׁר֙ יִפְגְּע֣וּן מִצָּפ֔וֹן וּבְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר מִמִּזְרָֽח
Southward it belongs to Ephraim, and northward to Manasseh, and the sea is its border; and they touch Asher on the north, and Issachar on the east.
Closes the boundary section with a compact directional summary — south to Ephraim, north to Manasseh, west to the sea, touching Asher (north) and Issachar (east) — before the next section turns from borders to the specific unconquered cities within those neighboring tribal areas (vv. 11-13).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
נֶ֣גְבָּהsouthwardN m sg abs + directional ה · נֶגֶב (H5045)Predicate complement (locative), summarizingנֶגֶב (H5045) 'south'; summary statement — the land south [of this line] belongs to Ephraim.
לְאֶפְרַ֗יִםbelongs to Ephraimprep לְ + proper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Predicate complement (possessive dative)אֶפְרַיִם (H669); summarizing Ephraim's southern portion relative to Manasseh.
וְצָפ֨וֹנָה֙and northwardconj וְ + N f sg abs + directional ה · צָפוֹן (H6828)Predicate complement (locative), summarizingצָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; complementary summary — the land north [of the line] belongs to Manasseh.
לִמְנַשֶּׁ֔הbelongs to Manassehprep לְ + proper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Predicate complement (possessive dative)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); together with the previous clause, a concise north/south summary of the whole Ephraim-Manasseh boundary just surveyed.
וַיְהִ֥יand it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, naming the western terminusהָיָה (H1961); states the western boundary marker.
הַיָּ֖םthe seaart + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Subject of וַיְהִייָם (H3220) 'sea,' the Mediterranean; the natural western boundary for both Manasseh and Ephraim.
גְּבוּל֑וֹits borderN m sg constr + 3ms suff · גְּבוּל (H1366)Predicate nominativeגְּבוּל (H1366) with 3ms suffix, 'its border' — referring back to Manasseh (or the combined Joseph territory).
וּבְאָשֵׁר֙and on Asherconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · אָשֵׁר (H836)Locative prepositional phraseאָשֵׁר (H836); Manasseh's territory touches Asher's along the north.
יִפְגְּע֣וּןit touchesQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · פָּגַע (H6293)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: describes the border's ongoing, characteristic point of contactפָּגַע (H6293) 'to meet, encounter, touch'; here of a boundary 'touching' or 'reaching' an adjacent tribal territory — technical border-survey vocabulary.
מִצָּפ֔וֹןon the northprep מִן + N f sg abs · צָפוֹן (H6828)Adverbial phrase of locationצָפוֹן (H6828); Asher borders Manasseh to the north.
וּבְיִשָּׂשכָ֖רand on Issacharconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485)Locative prepositional phraseיִשָּׂשכָר (H3485) 'Issachar,' the tribe bordering Manasseh to the east, in the Jezreel Valley region.
מִמִּזְרָֽחon the eastprep מִן + N m sg abs · מִזְרָח (H4217)Adverbial phrase of locationמִזְרָח (H4217) 'east, sunrise'; Issachar lies to Manasseh's east, completing the frame of Manasseh's western territory (Ephraim south, Asher north, Issachar east).
11
וַיְהִ֨י לִמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה בְּיִשָּׂשכָ֣ר וּבְאָשֵׁ֗ר בֵּית שְׁאָ֣ן וּ֠בְנוֹתֶיהָ וְיִבְלְעָ֨ם וּבְנוֹתֶ֜יהָ וְֽאֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֧י דֹ֣אר וּבְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤י עֵֽין דֹּר֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤י תַעְנַךְ֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י מְגִדּ֖וֹ וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת הַנָּֽפֶת
And Manasseh had, within Issachar and within Asher, Beth-shean and her daughter-towns, and Ibleam and her daughter-towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her daughter-towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and her daughter-towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her daughter-towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her daughter-towns — the three heights.
A dense register of six major Canaanite cities Manasseh held as enclaves inside Issachar's and Asher's allotted territories — strategic strongholds guarding the Jezreel Valley approaches. This list sets up the pointed admission of v. 12: despite the grant, Manasseh could not actually take these cities.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיְהִ֨יand there belongedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, opening the city-list→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, shifting from borders to enclave citiesהָיָה (H1961); introduces the list of cities Manasseh held within neighboring tribal territory.
לִמְנַשֶּׁ֜הto Manassehprep לְ + proper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Predicate complement (possessive dative)מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); the possessing tribe for the cities about to be listed.
בְּיִשָּׂשכָ֣רwithin Issacharprep בְּ + proper noun · יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485)Locative prepositional phraseיִשָּׂשכָר (H3485); the cities lie geographically inside Issachar's allotted territory, though held by Manasseh.
וּבְאָשֵׁ֗רand within Asherconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · אָשֵׁר (H836)Coordinate locative phraseאָשֵׁר (H836); some of the listed cities lie within Asher's territory instead.
בֵּיתBeth-proper noun (first element) · בֵּית שְׁאָן (H1052)First city named (first element of compound toponym)בֵּית (part of H1052) 'house of'; first element of the compound Beth-shean.
שְׁאָ֣ן-sheanproper noun (second element) · בֵּית שְׁאָן (H1052)Second element of compound toponymשְׁאָן (part of H1052) completing Beth-shean, the strategic city commanding the Jordan-Jezreel junction, later infamous as where Saul's body was displayed (1 Sam 31:10-12).
וּ֠בְנוֹתֶיהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct object (appositive)בַּת (H1323) here idiomatic 'daughters,' i.e. dependent villages/satellite settlements clustered around the main city — repeated after each city name in this verse.
וְיִבְלְעָ֨םand Ibleamconj וְ + proper noun · יִבְלְעָם (H2991)Second city namedיִבְלְעָם (H2991) 'Ibleam,' a fortified town in the Jezreel Valley area, later the site of King Ahaziah's death (2 Kgs 9:27).
וּבְנוֹתֶ֜יהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct object (appositive)בַּת (H1323); satellite settlements of Ibleam.
וְֽאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the following participial phrase as a direct object of the implied verb of possession.
יֹשְׁבֵ֧יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, object of אֵת→ Participle: an ongoing state — 'those dwelling (at),' the settlement's designationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; here (and repeated below) the participle functions as part of the city's formal name-designation in the list, as in v. 7.
דֹ֣ארDorproper noun · דֹּאר (H1756)Object of יֹשְׁבֵידֹּאר (H1756) 'Dor,' a coastal Canaanite city south of Carmel, notable for its former king (Josh 12:23) and Phoenician-linked trade.
וּבְנוֹתֶ֗יהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct objectבַּת (H1323); satellite settlements of Dor.
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤יand the inhabitants ofconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Coordinate substantival participle→ Participle: an ongoing state, part of the settlement's designationיָשַׁב (H3427); introduces the next city, En-dor.
עֵֽיןEn-proper noun (first element) · עֵין דֹּר (H5874)Object of יֹשְׁבֵי (first element of compound toponym)עֵין (part of H5874) 'spring'; first element of En-dor, 'spring of Dor,' distinct from the city Dor itself just named.
דֹּר֙-dorproper noun (second element) · עֵין דֹּר (H5874)Second element of compound toponymדֹּר (part of H5874) completing En-dor, later associated with the medium consulted by Saul (1 Sam 28:7).
וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct objectבַּת (H1323); satellite settlements of En-dor.
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֤יand the inhabitants ofconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Coordinate substantival participle→ Participle: an ongoing state, part of the settlement's designationיָשַׁב (H3427); introduces Taanach.
תַעְנַךְ֙Taanachproper noun · תַּעְנָךְ (H8590)Object of יֹשְׁבֵיתַּעְנָךְ (H8590) 'Taanach,' a fortified city near Megiddo, site of the battle celebrated in Judg 5:19.
וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct objectבַּת (H1323); satellite settlements of Taanach.
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥יand the inhabitants ofconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Coordinate substantival participle→ Participle: an ongoing state, part of the settlement's designationיָשַׁב (H3427); introduces Megiddo, the final and most strategically important city in the list.
מְגִדּ֖וֹMegiddoproper noun · מְגִדּוֹ (H4023)Object of יֹשְׁבֵימְגִדּוֹ (H4023) 'Megiddo,' commanding the pass through the Carmel range into the Jezreel Valley — one of antiquity's most strategic and fought-over cities, later giving its name to 'Armageddon' (Har-Megiddo, Rev 16:16).
וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct objectבַּת (H1323); satellite settlements of Megiddo.
שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁתthe three ofcardinal number m sg constr · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Predicate nominative (summarizing appositive)שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'; construct, summarizing three of the named cities under the crux term נָפֶת.
הַנָּֽפֶתthe heightsart + N f sg abs · נָפֶת (H5316)Genitive/appositive after שְׁלֹשֶׁתנָפֶת (H5316), a crux term of disputed sense — traditionally 'height, region, district' (a root meaning 'elevated place'), rendered 'the three heights' or taken as a district name (Naphath-dor, cf. Josh 12:23; 1 Kgs 4:11); most likely a technical geographic/administrative term for a hill-country district associated with these cities.
12
וְלֹ֤א יָכְלוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה לְהוֹרִ֖ישׁ אֶת הֶֽעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיּ֨וֹאֶל֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י לָשֶׁ֖בֶת בָּאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּֽאת
Yet the sons of Manasseh were not able to dispossess these cities, and the Canaanite persisted in dwelling in this land.
A sober admission that punctures the preceding legal victories: the allotment on paper is not conquest on the ground. The rare verb יָאַל ('persisted') frames Canaanite occupation as stubborn resolve, not mere oversight — the first sounding of a refrain that will recur in v. 13 and again, verbatim, across Judges 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָכְלוּלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal negative.
יָכְלוּ֙were ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (failed) attempt/capacity — the plain fact of inabilityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able, prevail'; negated, states outright military failure despite the legal grant of vv. 7-11.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of יָכְלוּבֵּן (H1121); the Manassites collectively.
מְנַשֶּׁ֔הManassehproper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Genitive after בְּנֵימְנַשֶּׁה (H4519).
לְהוֹרִ֖ישׁto dispossessprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive construct complement of יָכְלוּ→ Infinitive construct: the intended but unrealized actionיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; the standard verb for conquest/dispossession throughout Joshua-Judges — its failure here anticipates the recurring refrain of Judges 1.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the cities as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הֶֽעָרִ֣יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of לְהוֹרִישׁעִיר (H5892); refers back to the six cities just listed in v. 11.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive to הֶעָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the cities of v. 11.
וַיּ֨וֹאֶל֙and persistedconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָאַל (H2974)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — reports the Canaanite's determined, ongoing occupationיָאַל (H2974) Hiphil, here 'to be determined, resolve, persist (in doing something)'; a somewhat rare usage — the Canaanite's stubborn persistence in the land stands in ironic counterpoint to Israel's failure to dispossess him.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Subject of וַיּוֹאֶלכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; the collective inhabitant population who remain in possession of the six cities despite Israel's nominal claim.
לָשֶׁ֖בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitive construct complement of וַיּוֹאֶל→ Infinitive construct: the content of the Canaanite's persistenceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; the infinitive specifies what the Canaanite persisted in doing — remaining settled in the land.
בָּאָ֥רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative complement of לָשֶׁבֶתאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the specific district of the six enclave cities.
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive to הָאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; specifies the land just described.
13
וַֽיְהִ֗י כִּ֤י חָֽזְקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י לָמַ֑ס וְהוֹרֵ֖שׁ לֹ֥א הוֹרִישֽׁוֹ
And it came about, when the sons of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanite to forced labor, but they did not utterly dispossess him.
A later, nationwide postscript to v. 12's failure: increased strength brings subjugation (corvée labor) but still not the commanded dispossession. The emphatic infinitive-absolute construction (הוֹרֵשׁ לֹא הוֹרִישׁוֹ) drives the point home — this is compromise, not conquest, the fourth sounding of a refrain (cf. 13:13; 15:63; 16:10) that Judges 1 will echo almost verbatim across the whole land.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַֽיְהִ֗יand it came aboutconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, temporal frame→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, introducing a temporal clauseהָיָה (H1961); formulaic 'and it came about,' introducing a temporal 'when' clause.
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal conjunction introducing subordinate clauseכִּי (H3588) here temporal, 'when'; introduces the circumstance of Israel's later strengthening.
חָֽזְקוּ֙grew strongQal perf 3cp · חָזַק (H2388)Predicate verb of temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed shift in condition — Israel's later increase in strengthחָזַק (H2388) 'to be/become strong'; marks a later stage when Israel had the military capacity it lacked in v. 12.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of חָזְקוּבֵּן (H1121); Israel collectively, no longer limited to Manasseh.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive after בְּנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the scope widens from Manasseh alone to the nation as a whole.
וַיִּתְּנ֥וּand they putconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — reports the eventual, partial resolutionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here idiomatic 'to put/subject to,' introducing the forced-labor arrangement.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the Canaanite as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct object of וַיִּתְּנוּכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); the same population of v. 12, now subdued but not expelled.
לָמַ֑סto forced laborprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַס (H4522)Predicate complementמַס (H4522) 'forced labor, corvée'; the compromise outcome — subjugation and tribute-labor rather than the commanded dispossession, a recurring failure-pattern in Judges 1 (cf. Judg 1:28-35).
וְהוֹרֵ֖שׁbut dispossessingconj וְ + Hiphil inf abs · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive absolute, emphatic negation with לֹא→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies the following negated finite verb — 'they did NOT truly dispossess'יָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil infinitive absolute paired with the finite verb of the same root; the construction underscores by repetition that dispossession, though divinely commanded, never actually happened.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הוֹרִישׁוֹלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal negative.
הוֹרִישֽׁוֹthey dispossessed himHiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suff · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (main clause, negated, paired with inf abs)→ Perfective, negated and intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute: a decisively not-completed action — the Canaanite was never actually driven outיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess'; completes the infinitive-absolute construction — the chapter's blunt final verdict on the conquest of these cities.
14
וַֽיְדַבְּרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹ֑ר מַדּוּעַ֩ נָתַ֨תָּה לִּ֜י נַחֲלָ֗ה גּוֹרָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ וְחֶ֣בֶל אֶחָ֔ד וַֽאֲנִ֣י עַם רָ֔ב עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר עַד כֹּ֖ה בֵּֽרְכַ֥נִי יְהוָֽה
And the sons of Joseph spoke with Joshua, saying, "Why have you given me one lot and one portion for an inheritance, seeing I am a great people, since YHWH has blessed me until now?"
The chapter's closing dialogue opens with a pointed grievance, structurally mirroring the daughters' petition of v. 4 (a plea before Joshua, grounded in divine action) but now voiced as a complaint rather than a request — the Joseph tribes cite their own numerical growth as YHWH's blessing while questioning the fairness of a single allotment.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַֽיְדַבְּרוּ֙and spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause), opening the complaint→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the sons of Joseph voice their grievanceדִּבֵּר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; opens direct speech, introducing the tribes' formal complaint to Joshua.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיְדַבְּרוּבֵּן (H1121); here the combined Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh), as v. 17 clarifies.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive after בְּנֵייוֹסֵף (H3130); the two half-tribes speaking with one collective voice.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֵת (H854) 'with,' a distinct homograph from the object-marker אֵת (H853); here marks Joshua as the one addressed.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of אֶתיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the addressee of the complaint.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of manner introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: introduces the verbatim complaintאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard formula opening reported speech.
מַדּוּעַ֩whyinterrogative adv · מַדּוּעַ (H4069)Interrogative adverb opening the rhetorical questionמַדּוּעַ (H4069) 'why'; opens a pointed, aggrieved question — the complaint's rhetorical thrust.
נָתַ֨תָּהhave you givenQal perf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause question)→ Perfective: a completed act now being challengedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; addresses Joshua directly as the one responsible for the allotment.
לִּ֜יto meprep לְ + 1cs suff · לIndirect object of נָתַתָּהלְ + 1cs suffix, 'to me' — the sons of Joseph speaking as one collective entity.
נַחֲלָ֗הan inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Direct object of נָתַתָּהנַחֲלָה (H5159); the same legal term at stake throughout the chapter, now the subject of complaint rather than petition.
גּוֹרָ֤לa lotN m sg abs · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Appositive to נַחֲלָהגּוֹרָל (H1486) 'lot'; in apposition, specifying the single lot cast for Joseph.
אֶחָד֙onecardinal number m sg · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral modifying גּוֹרָלאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; repeated emphatically twice in this verse to underscore the complaint's grievance — a single portion for a great people.
וְחֶ֣בֶלand a portionconj וְ + N c sg abs · חֶבֶל (H2256)Coordinate appositive to נַחֲלָהחֶבֶל (H2256); the same 'measured portion' term used positively of Manasseh's ten shares in v. 5, now voiced as a complaint of insufficiency.
אֶחָ֔דonecardinal number m sg · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral modifying חֶבֶלאֶחָד (H259); second occurrence, reinforcing the complaint's single-portion grievance.
וַֽאֲנִ֣יyet Iconj וְ + independent pers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (contrastive, emphatic)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic independent pronoun, contrasting the smallness of the allotment with the size of the people.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate nominativeעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; representing the collective population of the Joseph tribes.
רָ֔בgreatadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying עַםרַב (H7227) 'many, great, numerous'; the crux of the complaint — population size outstripping the allotted land.
עַ֥דsinceprep · עַד (H5704)First element of עַד אֲשֶׁר idiomעַד (H5704) 'until, to the point that'; paired with אֲשֶׁר, forming a causal-temporal idiom.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Second element of עַד אֲשֶׁר idiomאֲשֶׁר (H834); with עַד forms עַד אֲשֶׁר, 'inasmuch as, since,' introducing the ground of the complaint — divine blessing itself.
עַדuntil nowprep · עַד (H5704)Adverbial phrase of timeעַד (H5704); paired with כֹּה, עַד־כֹּה 'until now, hitherto' — marking the blessing as ongoing up to the present moment.
כֹּ֖הnowadverb · כֹּה (H3541)Adverbial complement of עַדכֹּה (H3541) 'thus, here, now'; idiom עַד־כֹּה 'until now, thus far.'
בֵּֽרְכַ֥נִיhe has blessed mePiel perf 3ms + 1cs suff · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb of the causal clause introduced by עַד אֲשֶׁר→ Perfective: a completed and ongoing state of blessing continuing to the presentבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the sons of Joseph appeal to YHWH's own blessing (fruitfulness/growth, echoing Gen 48:16, 20) as grounds for a larger portion.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בֵּרְכַנִייְהוָה (H3068); the complaint, like the daughters' petition of v. 4, is framed as resting on divine action, not mere ambition.
15
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ אִם עַם רַ֤ב אַתָּה֙ עֲלֵ֣ה לְךָ֣ הַיַּ֔עְרָה וּבֵרֵאתָ֤ לְךָ֙ שָׁ֔ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הַפְּרִזִּ֖י וְהָֽרְפָאִ֑ים כִּֽי אָ֥ץ לְךָ֖ הַר אֶפְרָֽיִם
And Joshua said to them, "If you are a great people, go up to the forest and clear ground for yourself there, in the land of the Perizzite and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you."
Joshua's first answer accepts the tribes' premise ('if you are a great people') but redirects the solution: not a larger grant but their own labor, clearing forest in Perizzite-and-Rephaim territory. The rare verb וּבֵרֵאתָ ('clear/cut down') plays pointedly on the more familiar creation verb, ironic for a people about to complain that even this is too hard (v. 16).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause), opening Joshua's answer→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — Joshua's reply beginsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Joshua's first response to the complaint.
אֲלֵיהֶ֜םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suff · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix, 'to them' — addressed to the sons of Joseph.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091); the answering authority.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction opening Joshua's replyאִם (H518) 'if'; opens a conditional that pointedly grants the tribes' own premise before redirecting it.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate nominativeעַם (H5971); echoes the complaint's own vocabulary back at the tribes.
רַ֤בgreatadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying עַםרַב (H7227); repeated verbatim from the tribes' own claim in v. 14.
אַתָּה֙you (are)independent pers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the conditional clauseאַתָּה (H859) 'you'; second-person singular addressing the collective tribes as a unit.
עֲלֵ֣הgo upQal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Imperative, main clause of Joshua's answer→ Volitional: a direct command, Joshua's actual response to the complaintעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; Joshua's answer is not a re-allotment but a command to act — the forested hill country awaits their own initiative.
לְךָ֣for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לEthical/reflexive dative complementing the imperativeלְ + 2ms suffix, reflexive/ethical dative reinforcing the imperative — 'go up (for) yourself.'
הַיַּ֔עְרָהto the forestart + N m sg abs + directional ה · יַעַר (H3293)Directional object of עֲלֵהיַעַר (H3293) 'forest, wooded hill country'; with directional הֵ, 'to the forest' — the uncleared timberland of the hill country, in contrast to the already-settled plains.
וּבֵרֵאתָ֤and clear (it)conj וְ + weqatal (Piel perf) 2ms · בָּרָא (H1254)Weqatal continuing the imperative force→ Weqatal: continues the volitional force of the imperative — a further commandבָּרָא II (H1254) here 'to cut down, clear (trees)', a rare distinct usage from the far more familiar Qal 'to create' (Gen 1:1) — the same root applied to felling forest, effectively 'carving out' arable land.
לְךָ֙for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לEthical/reflexive dativeלְ + 2ms suffix, again reinforcing personal responsibility for the task.
שָׁ֔םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of locationשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers back to the forest just named.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative phrase specifying שָׁםאֶרֶץ (H776); specifies the forested territory as belonging to the Perizzites and Rephaim.
הַפְּרִזִּ֖יthe Perizziteart + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Genitive after אֶרֶץפְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite,' one of the pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan, often paired with the Canaanite in summary lists (e.g. Gen 13:7).
וְהָֽרְפָאִ֑יםand the Rephaimconj וְ + art + proper noun · רְפָאִים (H7497)Coordinate genitive after אֶרֶץרְפָאִים (H7497) 'Rephaim,' a legendary people associated with great stature/strength (cf. Deut 2:11, 20; 3:11) — naming them signals the difficulty, even danger, of the task Joshua assigns.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; grounds Joshua's directive in the practical problem of overcrowding.
אָ֥ץis too narrowQal perf 3ms · אוּץ (H213)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a settled, present condition — the hill country's insufficiency as an established factאוּץ (H213) 'to press, be narrow/cramped, urgent'; the hill country literally 'presses in on' or is 'too tight for' the Josephites — acknowledging the tribes' complaint even while redirecting its remedy.
לְךָ֖for youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לPredicate complement (dative of disadvantage)לְ + 2ms suffix, 'for you' — the hill country is too small for the tribe as it stands.
הַרthe hill country ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Subject of אָץהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; construct with אֶפְרַיִם, the already-settled highland allotment.
אֶפְרָֽיִםEphraimproper noun · אֶפְרָיִם (H669)Genitive after הַראֶפְרָיִם (H669); the existing hill-country territory, presented as simply too small for the combined Joseph tribes' population — hence Joshua's directive to expand by clearing the forest rather than by a larger grant.
16
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף לֹֽא יִמָּ֥צֵא לָ֖נוּ הָהָ֑ר וְרֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֗ל בְּכָל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ הַיֹּשֵׁ֣ב בְּאֶֽרֶץ הָעֵ֔מֶק לַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּבֵית שְׁאָן֙ וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ וְלַֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעֵ֥מֶק יִזְרְעֶֽאל
And the sons of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who dwell in the valley-land have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and her daughter-towns and those in the valley of Jezreel."
The tribes press further, raising a second and more concrete objection beyond mere insufficiency of land: Canaanite iron chariots make the valley-floor cities unconquerable by ordinary means. This sets up Joshua's climactic double answer of vv. 17-18, which concedes the danger but reframes it as no excuse.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙and saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, the tribes' rejoinder→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the Josephites press their objectionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the tribes' counter-response to Joshua's directive.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיֹּאמְרוּבֵּן (H1121); the Joseph tribes again.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive after בְּנֵייוֹסֵף (H3130).
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִמָּצֵאלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal negative.
יִמָּ֥צֵאis sufficientNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): a general, ongoing/characteristic condition — the hill country simply does not suffice, present and futureמָצָא (H4672) Niphal 'to be found, be sufficient, suffice'; the tribes flatly reject that the hill country alone can meet their need, even with clearing.
לָ֖נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suff · לPredicate complement (dative of interest)לְ + 1cp suffix, 'for us' — the collective Joseph tribes.
הָהָ֑רthe hill countryart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Subject of יִמָּצֵאהַר (H2022); the same hill country of Ephraim named in v. 15, now judged insufficient even after clearing.
וְרֶ֣כֶבand the chariots ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · רֶכֶב (H7393)Subject of an elided/implied predicate (second objection)רֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(s)'; introduces the second, decisive objection — Canaanite military technology.
בַּרְזֶ֗לironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Genitive after רֶכֶב (material)בַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; iron-fitted chariots represent superior Canaanite military technology the tribes fear they cannot overcome — a recurring biblical motif (Judg 1:19; 4:3).
בְּכָלamong allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; specifies the chariots belong to the entire Canaanite population of the valley, not just isolated pockets.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of בְּ (genitive-like)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); the same population named repeatedly in vv. 12-13, now specified as chariot-equipped.
הַיֹּשֵׁ֣בwho dwellsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle modifying הַכְּנַעֲנִי→ Participle: an ongoing state — the Canaanite's continuing occupation of the valleyיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; describes the Canaanite's settled presence throughout the valley-land, echoing the persistence language of v. 12 (יָאַל).
בְּאֶֽרֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative complement of הַיֹּשֵׁבאֶרֶץ (H776); specifies the valley-land as the Canaanite's territory.
הָעֵ֔מֶקthe valleyart + N m sg abs · עֵמֶק (H6010)Genitive after אֶרֶץעֵמֶק (H6010) 'valley, lowland'; the flat, fertile land where chariots could operate freely, unlike the hill country.
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֤רboth inprep לְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause of placeאֲשֶׁר (H834) with לְ, idiomatic 'as for those who are (at/in)'; introduces a specific named location within the valley.
בְּבֵיתin Beth-prep בְּ + proper noun (first element) · בֵּית שְׁאָן (H1052)Locative complement (first element of compound toponym)בֵּית (part of H1052) 'house of'; first element of Beth-shean, cited as an example location.
שְׁאָן֙-sheanproper noun (second element) · בֵּית שְׁאָן (H1052)Second element of compound toponymשְׁאָן (part of H1052); Beth-shean, already named among Manasseh's enclave cities in v. 11, cited again as a chariot-equipped stronghold.
וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָand her daughter-townsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3fs suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate direct object (appositive)בַּת (H1323); satellite settlements of Beth-shean, as in v. 11.
וְלַֽאֲשֶׁ֖רand inconj וְ + prep לְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Coordinate prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause of placeאֲשֶׁר (H834) with לְ; second example location, coordinate with Beth-shean.
בְּעֵ֥מֶקin the valley ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֵמֶק (H6010)Locative complementעֵמֶק (H6010); construct with יִזְרְעֶאל, the specific valley named.
יִזְרְעֶֽאלJezreelproper noun · יִזְרְעֶאל (H3157)Genitive after עֵמֶקיִזְרְעֶאל (H3157) 'Jezreel,' the great fertile valley/plain running between Carmel and the Jordan, strategically vital and famously suited to chariot warfare — the site of many later biblical battles.
17
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ אֶל בֵּ֣ית יוֹסֵ֔ף לְאֶפְרַ֥יִם וְלִמְנַשֶּׁ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר עַם רַ֣ב אַתָּ֗ה וְכֹ֤חַ גָּדוֹל֙ לָ֔ךְ לֹֽא יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ גּוֹרָ֥ל אֶחָֽד
And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, "You are a great people, and you have great power; you shall not have one lot only."
Joshua's decisive answer opens by fully granting the tribes' self-assessment and adding to it ('great power' beyond their own claim of 'great people'), before flatly overturning the single-lot outcome — setting up the positive commission of v. 18.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, opening Joshua's second answer→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — Joshua's climactic reply beginsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Joshua's second, decisive response.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙Joshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the addressee, בֵּית יוֹסֵף.
בֵּ֣יתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of אֶלבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct with יוֹסֵף, 'the house of Joseph,' a collective designation for the whole Joseph confederation, now defined explicitly by the following apposition.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive after בֵּיתיוֹסֵף (H3130).
לְאֶפְרַ֥יִםto Ephraimprep לְ + proper noun · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Appositional dative, specifying בֵּית יוֹסֵףאֶפְרַיִם (H669); explicitly identifies one half of 'the house of Joseph.'
וְלִמְנַשֶּׁ֖הand to Manassehconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · מְנַשֶּׁה (H4519)Coordinate appositional dativeמְנַשֶּׁה (H4519); the other half, confirming that both Joseph tribes are jointly addressed throughout vv. 14-18.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of manner introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: introduces the verbatim replyאָמַר (H559); standard formula opening reported speech.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate nominativeעַם (H5971); Joshua concedes the tribes' claim outright, a third repetition of this key word (vv. 14, 15, 17).
רַ֣בgreatadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying עַםרַב (H7227); Joshua's affirmation, not denial, of the tribes' greatness.
אַתָּ֗הyou (are)independent pers pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the declarative clauseאַתָּה (H859); direct address, now declarative rather than conditional as in v. 15's 'if.'
וְכֹ֤חַand powerconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּחַ (H3581)Predicate nominative (second element)כֹּחַ (H3581) 'strength, power'; Joshua adds a second, new affirmation beyond the tribes' own claim — not just numbers but capability.
גָּדוֹל֙greatadj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying כֹּחַגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; qualifies כֹּחַ, 'great power' — Joshua's own added assessment, exceeding what the tribes claimed for themselves.
לָ֔ךְis yoursprep לְ + 2fs suff · לPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ + 2fs suffix (the collective 'house of Joseph' construed grammatically as feminine), 'is yours' — completing the predicate 'you have great power.'
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִהְיֶהלֹא (H3808), the standard verbal negative.
יִהְיֶ֥הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — a firm declaration of what will not be the case going forwardהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the negated yiqtol issues a ruling for the future — a single lot will not stand as the final word.
לְךָ֖for youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לPredicate complement (dative of possession)לְ + 2ms suffix, 'for you' — second-person masculine singular, addressing the tribe collectively as a unit.
גּוֹרָ֥לa lotN m sg abs · גּוֹרָל (H1486)Subject of יִהְיֶהגּוֹרָל (H1486); echoes the tribes' own complaint-word from v. 14, now the subject of Joshua's ruling.
אֶחָֽדonecardinal number m sg · אֶחָד (H259)Numeral modifying גּוֹרָלאֶחָד (H259); 'one lot' — Joshua rules that a single portion will not be the outcome, directly answering the complaint of v. 14.
18
כִּ֣י הַ֤ר יִֽהְיֶה לָּךְ֙ כִּֽי יַ֣עַר ה֔וּא וּבֵ֣רֵאת֔וֹ וְהָיָ֥ה לְךָ֖ תֹּֽצְאֹתָ֑יו כִּֽי תוֹרִ֣ישׁ אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗י כִּ֣י רֶ֤כֶב בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔וֹ כִּ֥י חָזָ֖ק הֽוּא
For the hill country shall be yours — though it is forest, you shall clear it, and its farthest limits shall be yours — for you shall dispossess the Canaanite, though he has chariots of iron, though he is strong.
The chapter's closing word: a fourfold concessive structure (כִּי...כִּי...כִּי...כִּי) that grants every fact the tribes raised — it is forest, it must be cleared, the Canaanite has iron chariots, the Canaanite is strong — and answers each not by denial but by the promise of dispossession. Faith answering technology and terrain alike; the book will return to test this promise across Judges 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, opening Joshua's positive commissionכִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; introduces the positive alternative to the single lot just denied.
הַ֤רhill countryN m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Predicate nominativeהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; the forested highlands beyond Ephraim's current territory, now explicitly promised.
יִֽהְיֶהshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/future — a firm promise of future possessionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, belong to'; states the positive grant answering the negative ruling of v. 17b.
לָּךְ֙yoursprep לְ + 2fs suff · לPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ + 2fs suffix, 'yours' — the house of Joseph again construed as feminine collective.
כִּֽיthoughconj · כִּי (H3588)Concessive conjunctionכִּי (H3588) here concessive, 'though, even though'; anticipates and disarms the objection that it is forest.
יַ֣עַרforestN m sg abs · יַעַר (H3293)Predicate nominative of concessive clauseיַעַר (H3293); the same term from v. 15, acknowledged again — the promised land is genuinely uncleared forest, not a euphemism.
ה֔וּאit (is)independent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of concessive clauseהוּא (H1931); resumptive pronoun, 'it [the hill country] is forest.'
וּבֵ֣רֵאת֔וֹyet you shall clear itconj וְ + weqatal (Piel perf) 2ms + 3ms suff · בָּרָא (H1254)Weqatal, main clause resuming the imperative/promissory force→ Weqatal: continues the volitional/promissory sequence — a renewed command matched with assurance of resultבָּרָא II (H1254) 'to cut down, clear'; repeats the rare verb from v. 15, now with a 3ms suffix 'clear it' — the task remains theirs, but now framed within a guarantee of success.
וְהָיָ֥הand shall beconj וְ + weqatal (Qal perf) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal continuing the promissory sequence→ Weqatal: assures the outcome — the cleared land's furthest limits will indeed be theirsהָיָה (H1961); promises the result of the clearing — full possession to its outer limits.
לְךָ֖yoursprep לְ + 2ms suff · לPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ + 2ms suffix, 'yours' — now masculine singular, addressing the tribe as a unit.
תֹּֽצְאֹתָ֑יוits farthest limitsN f pl constr + 3ms suff · תּוֹצָאָה (H8444)Subject of וְהָיָהתּוֹצָאָה (H8444) 'outgoing, extremity'; the same surveying term from v. 9, here applied not to a tribal border but to the full extent of the newly cleared territory — total possession promised.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, grounding the promiseכִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; the final and decisive ground for the whole promise — future dispossession of the Canaanite.
תוֹרִ֣ישׁyou shall dispossessHiphil impf 2ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Yiqtol: modal/future — a confident promise of future success, directly reversing v. 12's failureיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess'; the exact verb that failed in v. 12 (לְהוֹרִישׁ) and v. 13 (הוֹרֵשׁ לֹא הוֹרִישׁוֹ), now promised in the future tense as achievable — the chapter's turn from lament to faith.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the Canaanite as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֗יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Direct object of תוֹרִישׁכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); the same population named throughout the chapter, now the object of a promised future victory.
כִּ֣יthoughconj · כִּי (H3588)Concessive conjunctionכִּי (H3588) concessive, 'though'; grants the truth of the tribes' own objection (v. 16) without letting it override the promise.
רֶ֤כֶבchariots ofN m sg constr · רֶכֶב (H7393)Subject of the concessive clauseרֶכֶב (H7393); repeats the tribes' own objection-word from v. 16 verbatim.
בַּרְזֶל֙ironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Genitive after רֶכֶב (material)בַּרְזֶל (H1270); repeats v. 16's term — the objection is acknowledged as real, not dismissed as imaginary.
ל֔וֹhe hasprep לְ + 3ms suff · לPredicate complement (possessive dative)לְ + 3ms suffix, 'to him [belong]' — the Canaanite's chariots, conceded as fact.
כִּ֥יthoughconj · כִּי (H3588)Concessive conjunction, final clauseכִּי (H3588) concessive, 'though'; the final of four כִּי clauses building to the chapter's closing affirmation.
חָזָ֖קstrongadj m sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Predicate adjectiveחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; the Canaanite's strength is fully granted, the last concession before the chapter's silent but implied final word — that Israel, blessed and empowered by YHWH (vv. 14, 17), will prevail regardless.
הֽוּאhe (is)independent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of final concessive clauseהוּא (H1931); the chapter's very last word — 'he [the Canaanite] is [strong]' — an honest, unflinching acknowledgment of the adversary's real power, closing the chapter not with triumph declared but with faith commissioned against real odds.