Joshua 17:11

King James Version (KJV)

And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Beth-shean - Called afterwards Scythopolis; the city of the Scythians or Cuthites, those who were sent into the different Samaritan cities by the kings of Assyria.

Dor - On the Mediterranean Sea, about eight miles from Caesarea, on the road to Tyre.

En-dor - The well or fountain of Dor, the place where Saul went to consult the witch; 1 Samuel 28:7, etc.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Perhaps Beth-shean (in Issachar) and the other five towns (in Asher) were given to the Manassites in compensation for towns in the Manassite territory allotted to the Ephraimites. (See Joshua 17:9. Compare Joshua 21:9.) To the wall of Beth-shean, or Bethshah (“Beisan,” about 5 miles west of the Jordan), the bodies of Saul and his sons were fastened by the Philistines after the battle on Mount Gilboa. After the exile it received the Greek name of Scythopolis, perhaps because it was principally tenanted by a rude and pagan population, styled in contempt Scythians. It was a border city of Galilee, and the chief town of the Decapolis. In Christian times it was the see of a bishop, who is enumerated as present at Nicaea and other Councils of the Church.

Ibleam (Bileam, 1 Chronicles 6:70), perhaps “Jelameh,” was a Levitical town (Joshua 21:25 note). Near this place Ahaziah was mortally wounded by Jehu (2 Kings 9:27), and fled to Megiddo, which was no doubt not far distant.

Three countries - Rather “the three hills.” The district belonging to the last-mentioned three towns had a common name, derived no doubt from its natural features, and was called “the three hills.” Compare Decapolis, Tripolis, etc.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

There was great communication between Manasseh and Ephraim. Though each tribe had its inheritance, yet they should intermix one with another, to do good offices one to another, as became those, who, though of different tribes, were all one Israel, and were bound to love as brethren. But they suffered the Canaanites to live among them, against the command of God, to serve their own ends.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

11. Beth-shean. Literally, “house of rest.” This was a city in the tribe of Issachar that was assigned to Manasseh. It was in a strategic place at the junction of two important valleys, namely, the deep Jordan valley and the Valley of Jezreel. It is possible that because Manasseh was a warlike tribe, and thus an able defender for Israel, it was thought wise to allow Manasseh to man this stronghold and dwell in it. In NT times Beth-shan was one of the largest of the ten Greek cities known as the Decapolis, and was called Scythopolis. To modern Arabs it is known as Tell el Ã¡Â¸Â¤uá¹£n, near modern BeisÃ„Ân (Beth-shan), which perpetuates the ancient name.

Ibleam. Today known as Tell Bel‘ameh. It too was a heavily fortified town, being a part of a series of fortifications that extended from Beth-shan to the Mediterranean coast. It was situated about 13 mi. (21 km.) north-northeast of Samaria on the road to Megiddo. Along with Beth-shan it was probably given to Manasseh for defense purposes as well as to provide more living space.

Dor. A Mediterranean seaport in the inheritance of Asher, but given to Manasseh. It lay between the Carmel headland and the Caesarea of NT times.

En-dor. This town was to the north of the Hill Moreh, 3 3/4 mi. (6 km.) south of Mt. Tabor and 6 1/2 mi. (10.4 km.) southeast of Nazareth. The witch to whom Saul resorted lived at Endor (1 Sam. 28).

Taanach. A city commanding one of the passes to the plain of Esdraelon. It lay about 5 mi. (8 km.) southeast of Megiddo and was the site of a fortress on the road from Mt. Carmel to the main road running from Judea to Galilee. Its ruins are known today as Tell Ta‘annak.

Megiddo. An important strategic city overlooking the plain of Esdraelon. Its ruins have been identified with the mound called Tell el-Mutesellim. There seems to have been some military reason behind the turning over of these strategic cities to the tribe of Manasseh.

Three countries. Literally, “three of the heights.” The LXX reads, “and the third part of Mapheta, and its villages.” The Syriac has “three villages.” The RSV translates it “the third is Naphath.” A number of commentators take this expression to refer to the three cities formerly enumerated that lay on hills or three heights, namely, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddoâ€”three mountain cities in distinction from the places on the plain.

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Cross References

Manasseh

Beth-shan

Ibleam

Dor