The half tribe of Manasseh is located on the eastern side of the Jordan River in the ancient region of Gilead.
Manasseh was considered a half tribe because the tribe of Manasseh was divided into two separate portions when the Israelites settled in the Promised Land. One portion settled on the east side of the Jordan River, while the other settled on the west side. This division led to Manasseh being referred to as a half tribe.
The Tribe of Manasseh received half of their inheritance on the east of Jordan; their brothers, the rest of the tribal clans of Manasseh received their inheritance, by lot, on the Western side of Jordan. The two halves, each on either side of Jordan, together make up the Tribe of Manasseh.
The tribe of Manasseh was split into two half-tribes because when Moses allocated land to the Israelite tribes, the eastern half of Manasseh requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River due to their large herds of livestock. This division allowed them to have land suitable for their needs while still remaining part of the tribe of Manasseh.
Joseph made both of his kids tribes of their own, hence Ephraim is the 13th tribe, but a whole tribe not a half.
The half tribe of Manasseh played a significant role in the history of ancient Israel as they were one of the twelve tribes that settled in the land of Canaan after the Exodus from Egypt. They were given land on both sides of the Jordan River, which helped to secure the eastern borders of Israel. The tribe of Manasseh also contributed warriors to defend the nation and played a part in various battles and events recorded in the Bible.
"Manasseh" refers both to the son of Hezekiah and to the eldest son of Joseph. The geographic "Manasseh" is the area that the half-tribe of Manasseh settled following Israel's entry into Canaan Land after 40 years of meandering through the wilderness subsequent to their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Manasseh was the only tribe of the twelve to settle land on both sides of the Jordan, extending from the Great Sea (Mediterranean) to the land of the Ammonites. Notable cities in their territory were Dothan, Shechem, Tirzah and Jabesh Gilead.
The term "half tribe" typically refers to the divisions of the Israelite tribes in the Bible, specifically the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim. The "half tribe" of Manasseh refers to the portion that settled east of the Jordan River, while the other half settled west of it. This distinction highlights the geographic and political divisions among the tribes of Israel during their settlement in the Promised Land. The term underscores the complexities of tribal identity and land allocation in ancient Israelite society.
Gideon was of the tribe Manasseh (sp) Pronounced Man- nas-suh.
When the families of Reuben and Gad requested to receive their portions of land east of the Jordan (Numbers ch. 32), one-half of the tribe (the families) of Manasseh (Menasheh) decided to join them and take land east of the Jordan (Deuteronomy ch.3). The other half of Manasseh decided to have their land-portion west of the Jordan together with the majority of the twelve tribes.
The smallest tribe was Manasseh according to the first census taken by Moses and Aaron in Numbers chapter 1.
The Tribes of GAD and REUBEN settled entirely on the east bank of the Jordan River and the Half-Tribe of MANASSEH had settlements on both sides of the Jordan River. However, only Reuben's territory extended far enough south to have coastline on the Dead Sea.
The tribes were Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. They saw the land of Sihon and Og as suitable for their livestock, and requested to settle there instead of crossing the Jordan with the rest of the Israelites. Moses granted their request under the condition that they still join the other tribes in conquering the land of Canaan.