Machir

Lore & Background

Machir, the son of Manasseh, is a prominent patriarchal figure in the tribal allotments of Israel. As the firstborn of Manasseh, he is noted as a man of war, and because of this, he received the territories of Gilead and Bashan (Joshua 17:1). His descendants, the Machirites, conquered Gilead from the Amorites, and Moses granted the land to Machir (Numbers 32:39-40; Deuteronomy 3:15). The genealogies trace his lineage through his son Gilead, and further to Zelophehad, whose daughters successfully petitioned for an inheritance (Numbers 27:1; Joshua 17:3).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Machir primarily as a tribal ancestor and warrior. In the conquest narratives, Machir's descendants are active in taking possession of the land east of the Jordan, specifically Gilead, which is then assigned to them by Moses (Numbers 32:39-40; Deuteronomy 3:15). The genealogical records emphasize his role as the father of Gilead and the progenitor of a significant clan within Manasseh (Numbers 26:29; 1 Chronicles 7:14-17). A separate individual named Machir, son of Ammiel, appears in the Davidic narratives as a loyalist who provided refuge for Mephibosheth and supplies for David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 9:4-5; 2 Samuel 17:27). The passages do not connect these two figures, leaving their relationship unspecified.

Did You Know?

• Machir's descendants, the Machirites, are listed as a family within the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 26:29).
• The daughters of Zelophehad, who sought inheritance rights, were descendants of Machir through Gilead (Numbers 27:1).
• A later Machir, son of Ammiel, hosted Mephibosheth in Lodebar before David restored him (2 Samuel 9:4-5).
• Machir's wife Maachah bore sons named Peresh and Sheresh (1 Chronicles 7:16).