Jacob had preferred Ephraim before Manasseh (Gen. 48:17-20), even though Manasseh was the first-born. Now Ephraim had been honored by having his lot described first. Nevertheless, Manasseh was the first-born and was to have the “double portion” (Deut. 21:17), which was his right. This chapter deals primarily with the territory allotted to Manasseh west of the Jordan, but reference is also made to that portion already allotted to the half tribe east of the Jordan.

These words are supplied, and the verse might better read, “To Machir ... and to him was Gilead and Bashan.” The reason for this assignment is stated in the parenthetical clause, “because he was a man of war.” Machir himself by this time must have been dead. He had been born to Manasseh in Egypt and had he lived, he would have been about 200 years old. He had probably distinguished himself sometime in battle, or else his descendants were of a warlike spirit, and his name was retained by them. At any rate Moses and Joshua recognized the skill of this family at war, and were willing to entrust to them the defense of the frontier country of Bashan.