The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore; she bore Machir the father of Gilead.
We have here a short view given us, I. Of the tribe of Issachar, whom Jacob had compared to a strong ass, couching between two burdens (Gen 49:14), an industrious tribe, that minded their country business very closely and rejoiced in their tents, Deu 33:18. And here it appears, 1. That they were a numerous tribe; for they had many wives.
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 7:1-19
And the sons of Ulam: Bedan,.... See Sa1 12:11. these were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh; that is, were of his posterity, or belonged to his family; for Ulam and Rakem were sons of a brother of Gilead, Ch1 7:16.
OF MANASSEH. (1Ch. 7:14-40) The sons of Manasseh--or descendants; for Ashriel was a grandson, and Zelophehad was a generation farther removed in descent (Num 26:33). The text, as it stands, is so confused and complicated that it is exceedingly difficult to trace the genealogical thread, and a great variety of conjectures have been made with a view to clear away the obscurity.
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 7:14-40