Manasseh

Manasseh and Ephraim were the sons of Joseph by his wife, Asenath, the daughter of an Egyptian priest. They were adopted by their grandfather Jacob. Their descendants formed one tribe of Israel.

When the people of Israel arrived at the Promised Land, the half tribe of Manasseh and the tribes of Reuben and Gad settled east of the Jordan River. Those on the west side were given good land, and they were important among the twelve tribes. Their land stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea through the middle of Canaan. They later became part of the northern kingdom of Israel. Those who stayed on the east side became idol worshippers. All of the people of Manasseh later were taken away as prisoners to Assyria.