Topical Encyclopedia
Machir is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known primarily as the firstborn son of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. His lineage and descendants played a crucial role in the settlement and tribal organization of Israel.
Genealogy and FamilyMachir was the son of Manasseh, who was the firstborn of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were adopted by Jacob as his own, thus granting them a share in the inheritance of the tribes of Israel. Machir's mother was an Aramean concubine, as noted in
1 Chronicles 7:14: "The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead."
Territory and InfluenceMachir's descendants, known as the Machirites, were influential in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. The land of Gilead was allotted to the tribe of Manasseh, and Machir's family played a pivotal role in its conquest and settlement.
Numbers 32:39-40 states, "The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. So Moses gave Gilead to the Machirites, the descendants of Manasseh, and they settled there."
Military ProwessThe descendants of Machir were known for their military strength and valor. In the conquest of Canaan, they were instrumental in securing the land east of the Jordan.
Joshua 17:1 highlights their martial capabilities: "Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn: Gilead and Bashan were given to Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war."
Legacy and DescendantsMachir's lineage continued to be significant in Israel's history. His descendants included notable figures such as Jair, who controlled numerous towns in Gilead, and Zelophehad, whose daughters famously petitioned Moses for their inheritance rights, leading to a landmark decision regarding inheritance laws for women (
Numbers 27:1-11).
Cultural and Historical ContextThe Machirites' settlement in Gilead reflects the broader narrative of Israel's conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. Their account is intertwined with themes of inheritance, tribal identity, and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. The Machirites' role in the conquest of Gilead underscores the importance of family lineage and divine providence in the history of Israel.
Biblical References·
Genesis 50:23: "Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons. Also, the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were placed on Joseph’s knees."
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Numbers 26:29: "The descendants of Manasseh: through Machir, the Machirite clan (Machir was the father of Gilead); through Gilead, the Gileadite clan."
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Deuteronomy 3:15: "To Machir I gave Gilead."
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Judges 5:14: "From Ephraim their roots marched down into the valley, following you, Benjamin, with your peoples. From Machir came down the commanders, and from Zebulun those who carry the staff of the scribe."
Machir's account is a testament to the enduring legacy of the tribes of Israel and their divinely ordained inheritance. His descendants' influence in Gilead highlights the fulfillment of God's promises and the importance of faithfulness and courage in the history of God's people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Machirselling; knowing
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Machir(sold).
- The eldest son, (Joshua 17:1) of the patriarch Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine. (1 Chronicles 7:14) At the time of the conquest the family of Machir had become very powerful, and a large part of the country on the east of Jordan was subdued by them. (Numbers 32:39; 3:15)
- The son of Ammiel, a powerful sheikh of one of the transjordanic tribes, who rendered essential service to the cause of Saul and of David successively. (2 Samuel 9:4,5; 17:27-29)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Machir1. A son of Manasseh, Genesis 50:23. His posterity were active in the conquest of Gilead, Numbers 32:39; Joshua 17:1; and in the war with Jabin and Sisera, Jud 5:14.
2. A friend of Mephibosbeth, the son of Jonathan, 2 Samuel 9:4,5.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Sold.
(1.) Manasseh's oldest son (Joshua 17:1), or probably his only son (see 1 Chronicles 7:14, 15; Comp. Numbers 26:29-33; Joshua 13:31). His descendants are referred to under the name of Machirites, being the offspring of Gilead (Numbers 26:29). They settled in land taken from the Amorites (Numbers 32:39, 40; Deuteronomy 3:15) by a special enactment (Numbers 36:1-3; Joshua 17:3, 4). He is once mentioned as the representative of the tribe of Manasseh east of Jordan (Judges 5:14).
(2.) A descendant of the preceding, residing at Lo-debar, where he maintained Jonathan's son Mephibosheth till he was taken under the care of David (2 Samuel 9:4), and where he afterwards gave shelter to David himself when he was a fugitive (17:27).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MACHIR; MACHIRITEma'-kir (makhir; Macheir), ma'-kir-it:
(1) The eldest son of Manasseh (Genesis 50:23). In Numbers 26:29 it is recorded that Machir begat Gilead, but another narrative informs us that the children of Machir "went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorites that were therein. And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein" (Numbers 32:39, 40 Joshua 17:1, 3; compare also 1 Chronicles 2:21, 25; 1 Chronicles 7:14-17 Deuteronomy 3:15 Joshua 13:31). In the song of Deborah, Machir is used as equivalent to Manasseh (Judges 5:14).
(2) Son of Ammiel, dwelling in Lo-debar (2 Samuel 9:4, 5), a wealthy landowner who protected Mephibosheth (Meribbaal), son of Jonathan, until assured of the friendly intentions of David (compare Ant, VII, ix, 8). Afterward, during the rebellion of Absalom, Machir with others came to David's assistance at Mahanaim, bringing supplies for the king and his men (2 Samuel 17:27).
John A. Lees
Strong's Hebrew
4354. Makiri -- descendant of Machir... descendant of
Machir. Transliteration: Makiri Phonetic Spelling: (maw-kee-ree')
Short Definition: Machirites.
... of
Machir NASB Word Usage Machirites (1). of
Machir ... 4353. Makir -- two Israelites
... 4352, 4353. Makir. 4354 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Makir Phonetic Spelling:
(maw-keer') Short Definition: Machir. ... NASB Word Usage Machir (22). Machir ...
Library
How it is Said that Jacob Went into Egypt with Seventy-Five Souls ...
... For there is reckoned there Machir the son of Manasseh, grandson of Joseph, and
Machir's son, that is, Gilead, grandson of Manasseh, great-grandson of Joseph ...
David and Jonathan's Son
... And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel,
in Lo-debar.5. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of ...
Barzillai
... Shobi the son of Nahash, and Machir the son of Ammiel, and Barzillai the Gileadite
of Rogelim, brought beds, and cups, and wheat, and barley, and honey, and ...
David's Kindness to Jonathan's Son
... answered, "A son of Jonathan is still living, but he is lame in his feet." David
inquired, "Where is he?" Ziba replied, "He is in the house of Machir in Lodebar ...
Deborah's Song
... Men. After thee, Benjamin, among thy peoples". Women. Out of Machir came down governors".
Men. And out of Zebulun they that handle the marshal's staff. Women. ...
A Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning
... And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of
Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. ...
Women who Saved a Nation
... From Machir, commanders went down, From Zebulun, standard-bearers, Issachar's princes
with Deborah, And with Barak, the men of Naphtali; Into the valley they ...
The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... And the men of Machir [99] came upon us on the fifth day, to carry away our captives;
and we attacked them, and overcame them in fierce battle: for they were a ...
The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... people of Jehovah went down against the mighty, From Ephraim they rushed forth into
the valley, Thy brother Benjamin among thy peoples, From Machir went down ...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... to assemble his people, together with those of Zebulon, in the name of the Lord;***
she herself led the contingents of Issachar, Ephraim, and Machir to meet ...
Thesaurus
Machir (20 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MACHIR; MACHIRITE. ma'-kir (makhir; Macheir),
ma'-kir-it: (1) The eldest son of Manasseh (Genesis 50:23).
...Makir (17 Occurrences)
... Genesis 50:23 Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. The children
also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph's knees. (See NIV). ...
Machirite (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MACHIR; MACHIRITE. ma'-kir (makhir; Macheir),
ma'-kir-it: (1) The eldest son of Manasseh (Genesis 50:23). ...
Lo-debar (4 Occurrences)
... lo'-de-bar, lo-de'-bar (lo dhebhar): A place in Gilead where dwelt Machir, son of
Ammiel, who sheltered Mephibosheth, son of Saul, after that monarch's death ...
Lodebar (4 Occurrences)
... lo'-de-bar, lo-de'-bar (lo dhebhar): A place in Gilead where dwelt Machir, son of
Ammiel, who sheltered Mephibosheth, son of Saul, after that monarch's death ...
Ammiel (6 Occurrences)
... Numbers 14:37). (2.) The father of Machir of Lo-debar, in whose house
Mephibosheth resided (2 Samuel 9:4, 5; 17:27). (3.) The father ...
Machirites (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and
Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. ...
Abiezer (7 Occurrences)
... He was the son of Gilead the son of Machir, in the sense of being a more remote
descendant, for Machir had sons before the death of Joseph (Genesis 50:23). ...
Zeloph'ehad (8 Occurrences)
... Numbers 27:1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the
son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of ...
Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 27:1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the
son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of ...
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