Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Makhir in the Bible?
A: Makhir was the firstborn son of Menashe (Manasseh), one of the tribes of Israel. According to Rashi (Deuteronomy 3:15), Makhir was a righteous man who had already distinguished himself in battle, which is why he merited receiving the territory of Gilad as his inheritance.
Q: Why was Gilad given specifically to Makhir?
A: The Talmud (Bava Batra 118b) explains that Makhir was rewarded with Gilad because he was strong in Torah and in battle. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 22:7) adds that Makhir showed great courage during the conquest of the land, and therefore Moshe (Moses) gave him this portion east of the Jordan River as an inheritance.
Q: What is the significance of Gilad in the Torah?
A: Gilad was a fertile region east of the Jordan River known for its good pastureland (see Rashi on Numbers 32:1). It was strategically important and later became known for its healing balm (Jeremiah 8:22). In Jewish tradition, Gilad represents both physical bounty and spiritual strength, as it was given to those who demonstrated both qualities.
Q: How does this verse about land inheritance apply today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Zechiya 1:1) derives from verses like this that proper inheritance laws are essential in Jewish life. While we don't have land apportionment today, the principle teaches us about fairness in distributing resources and recognizing individual merit. The Sforno adds that this shows how God rewards those who contribute to the community.
Q: Why does the Torah mention specific land distributions?
A: Rashi (Deuteronomy 3:12) explains that listing these distributions shows God's precision in fulfilling promises to our ancestors. The Talmud (Sotah 34a) teaches that every detail in the Torah comes to teach us something - in this case, about divine justice in rewarding the righteous and the importance of each tribe's unique role in Israel.
Context of the Verse
The verse "וּלְמָכִיר נָתַתִּי אֶת־הַגִּלְעָד" (And I gave Gil῾ad to Makhir) appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 3:15, where Moshe recounts the distribution of land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and half of Menashe. Makhir was the son of Menashe, and his descendants received the territory of Gil῾ad as their inheritance.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Devarim 3:15) clarifies that the land of Gil῾ad was given specifically to Makhir, the son of Menashe, because of his exceptional righteousness. Rashi cites Bamidbar (Numbers) 32:40, where Moshe had previously granted Gil῾ad to Makhir, reinforcing that this was a deliberate and meritorious allocation.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash Tanchuma (Matot 7) elaborates that Makhir was distinguished for his wisdom and leadership, which justified his family receiving such a fertile and strategically important region. The Midrash also connects this to the broader theme of divine reward for righteous descendants, as Makhir's lineage upheld Torah values.
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Maimonides), in his Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Zechiya u’Matana 3:11), discusses the legal principles of inheritance and land distribution. He emphasizes that tribal inheritances were divinely ordained and could not be arbitrarily altered, underscoring the permanence of Makhir's claim to Gil῾ad.
Historical and Geographical Significance
Halachic Implications
The Gemara (Bava Batra 118a) discusses how land allocations like Makhir’s were binding for all future generations, establishing a precedent for the irrevocable nature of tribal territories under Jewish law.