machir Summary and Overview

sold. (1.) Manasseh's oldest son (Josh. 17:1), or probably his only son (see 1 Chr. 7:14, 15; compare Num. 26:29-33; Josh. 13:31). His descendants are referred to under the name of Machirites, being the offspring of Gilead (Num. 26:29). They settled in land taken from the Amorites (Num. 32:39, 40; Deut. 3:15) by a special enactment (Num. 36:1-3; Josh. 17:3, 4). He is once mentioned as the representative of the tribe of Manasseh east of Jordan (Judg. 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 Sam. 9:4), and where he afterwards gave shelter to David himself when he was a fugitive (17:27).

(sold). 1. The eldest son, #Jos 17:1| of the patriarch Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine. #1Ch 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. #Nu 32:39; De 3:15| 2. 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. #2Sa 9:4,5; 17:27-29|

MA'CHIR (sold). 1. The eldest son of Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine, 1 Chr 7:14; the father of Gilead, Num 26:29; Deut 27:1; Num 36:1; and a daughter, Abiah. 1 Chr 2:21, 1 Chr 2:24. At the time of the Conquest the family of Machir had become very large and powerful, and subdued the land to the east of the Jordan. Num 32:39; Deut 3:15. 2. The son of Ammiel, in whose house Mephibosheth was received and lived until David called him to Jerusalem. 2 Sam 9:4-5; 2 Sam 17:27.

1. Manasseh's oldest son by a Syrian or Aramite concubine (1 Chronicles 7:14). Joseph had Machir's children upon his knees (Genesis 50:23), i.e. they were adopted by Joseph from their birth. Gilead was his son, and Abiah his daughter. A large part of the country E. of Jordan was subdued by his powerful family (Numbers 32:39; Deuteronomy 3:15). The rest of the family crossed Jordan. So powerful was the family that "Machir" supplants the name of "Manasseh" in Judges 5:14; Judges 5:17; Joshua 13:31-29. 2. Son of Ammiel of Lodebar, a Gileadite chief; sheltered Mephibosheth, Jonathan's lame son; afterward, influenced probably by David's kindness to the same youth, supplied David with necessaries when fleeing from Absalom (2 Samuel 9:4; 2 Samuel 17:27-29).