Tribe of Manasseh

Who were the Tribe of Manasseh?

The Tribe of Manasseh was one of the twelve tribes that made up ancient Israel, according to the Hebrew Bible. It is said to descend from Manasseh, the eldest son of Joseph. The tribe formed part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes before the monarchy and later joined the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Manasseh was closely linked with the Tribe of Ephraim, together forming the House of Joseph. Their identity was shaped by shared ancestry, territory, and participation in the early history of Israel.

Where did the Tribe of Manasseh live?

The tribe's territory spanned both sides of the Jordan River. West Manasseh lay north of Ephraim, stretching from the Jordan to the Mediterranean coast, with Mount Carmel at its northwest corner. East Manasseh held land from Mahanaim in the south to Mount Hermon in the north, including the region of Bashan. These lands were valued for their water resources and strategic mountain passes. Today, this area is part of modern Israel and Jordan.

How was Tribe of Manasseh society organised?

The Tribe of Manasseh, like other Israelite tribes, was organized around kinship and descent from a common ancestor. Leadership in times of crisis came from judges, who were temporary leaders chosen for their abilities. The tribe was divided into two main groups, one on each side of the Jordan, and sometimes these halves had separate rulers. The biblical narrative also mentions other groups, such as Machir and Gilead, which may have been sub-tribes or regions within Manasseh.

The history of the Tribe of Manasseh

After the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, the land was divided among the tribes, with Manasseh receiving valuable and strategic territory. The tribe participated in the early confederation of Israel and later joined the Northern Kingdom after the monarchy was established. In the 8th century BCE, the Assyrian Empire conquered the northern tribes, including Manasseh, and deported much of the population. This exile led to the tribe's disappearance from history, and it is now counted among the ten lost tribes of Israel. Some modern groups claim descent from Manasseh, but their connections remain debated.

What became of the Tribe of Manasseh?

The Tribe of Manasseh no longer exists as a distinct community. Their ancient territory lies within modern Israel and Jordan. Some groups, such as the Bnei Menashe and Samaritans, claim descent from the tribe, but these claims are not universally accepted. The story of Manasseh continues to be significant in Jewish tradition and scholarship.

Questions people ask about the Tribe of Manasseh

Sources and further reading

• Tribe of Manasseh on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Tribe of Manasseh themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.