Albert Barnes Commentary Joshua 17:11

"And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns, even the three heights." — Joshua 17:11 (ASV)

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 Beth-shah (“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 inhabited by a rude and pagan population, contemptuously called 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 listed 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 undoubtedly not far away.

Three countries - Rather “the three hills.” The district belonging to the last-mentioned three towns had a common name, derived undoubtedly from its natural features, and was called “the three hills.” Compare Decapolis, Tripolis, etc.