Gilead was the son of Makir and grandson of Manasse, Joseph's son. He became the ancestor of the Gileadite clan, and his descendants were given the land east of the Jordan that came to be known as Gilead. His name is closely linked to both the lineage and the geographical region that played an important role in Israel's history.
1Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward—Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
15Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites;* his sister's name was Maacah. The name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelophehad had only daughters. [*Footnote: Or "Machir took a wife for Huppim and for Shuppim."]
1A lot also fell to the tribe of Manasseh, since he was Joseph's firstborn. Machir, Manasseh's firstborn and the father of Gilead, received Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war.
2The rest of the descendants of Manasseh received land by their clans: the sons of Abiezer, the sons of Helek, the sons of Asriel, the sons of Shechem, the sons of Hepher, and the sons of Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, by their clans.
3Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
The Daughters of Selophahad Claim Their Inheritance
Selophahad, a descendant of Gilead through Hefer, had no sons. His daughters claimed their right to inherit before the Lord, and Moses granted them their request.
1Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward—Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
3"Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company that banded together against the LORD with Korah; he died for his own sin, and he had no sons.
7"The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall certainly give them a holding as their inheritance among their father's brothers, and transfer their father's inheritance to them.
The region of Gilead and the Gileadites played a central role during the period of the judges, especially through Jephthah, who was a Gileadite and became a judge in Israel.
2Gilead's wife also bore him sons, and when her sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out. "You will inherit nothing in our father's house," they told him, "for you are the son of another woman."