Hanniel, son of Ephod, was a leader from the tribe of Manasseh appointed by God to help distribute the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel. He is mentioned among the tribal leaders responsible for allocating the inheritance west of the Jordan. Another Hanniel is mentioned as the son of Ulla from the tribe of Asher.
God spoke to Moses and gave him the names of the men who were to distribute the land of Canaan as an inheritance among the tribes. Hanniel, son of Ephod, was chosen to represent the tribe of Manasseh.
Leaders for the Distribution of the Land Appointed
Together with Eleazar the priest and Joshua, Hanniel and the other tribal leaders were given authority to distribute the inherited land among the nine and a half tribes west of the Jordan.
Another man named Hanniel is mentioned as the son of Ulla, a descendant of the tribe of Asher, among the brave warriors and family heads in the tribal records of Israel.
Moses receives God's instructions on the distribution of the land
God instructed Moses on how the land of Canaan was to be distributed by casting lots, and appointed specific leaders from each tribe to carry out the distribution.
2Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that will fall to you as your inheritance — the land of Canaan with its boundaries.
3Your southern side shall run from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. Your southern boundary shall begin at the end of the Salt Sea on the east,
4then turn south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continue on to Zin, and end south of Kadesh Barnea. From there it shall go on to Hazar Addar and pass over to Azmon,
11The boundary shall go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue down until it touches the eastern slope of the Sea of Kinnereth.
13Moses commanded the Israelites: This is the land you are to receive as your inheritance by lot, the land the LORD has commanded to be given to the nine and a half tribes.