HALF-TRIBE OF MANASSEH. The part of Manasseh settled in Gilead and Bashan E of the Jordan. Like Reuben and Gad, they were obliged to help the main body of the Hebrews in the conquest of Pal. (Josh 1:12-18). They shared in the general enmity between the Trans-Jordanian tribes and the western tribes (Judg 12).

Their clans included: 1. Some Machirites (q.v.; e.g. Josh 17:1; Num 32:39, 40) who included or were identical with the Trans-Jordanian “Gileadites” (Num 26:29; Judg 11:1); other “Gileadite” clans, however, settled W of the Jordan as “sons of Manasseh” (cf. Num 26:28-34; Josh 17:1-2). 2. The descendants of Hezron of Judah and the Machirite woman (1 Chron 2:21-23). The “rest of the Manassites” (Josh 17:6) and the descendants of Maacha (1 Chron 7:14-19) also lived in Gilead. The history of the half-tribe closed when they were led into captivity by Tiglath-pileser of Assyria (2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chron 5:26).