Numbers - Chapter 36

Numbers 36.1 And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel: Numbers 36.2 And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters. Numbers 36.3 And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance. Numbers 36.4 And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers. Numbers 36.5 And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well. Numbers 36.6 This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. Numbers 36.7 So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. Numbers 36.8 And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers. Numbers 36.9 Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance. Numbers 36.10 Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad: Numbers 36.11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father’s brothers’ sons: Numbers 36.12 And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. Numbers 36.13 These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

Numbers : Chapter 36

The Preservation of Family and Tribal Heritage according to Numbers 36

Chapter 36 of the book of Numbers concludes with essential laws concerning inheritance. This section asks us how to preserve family and tribal heritage within the community. In this text, the question of the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters is finally resolved, establishing precise rules for marriages within the same tribe.

Themes of Continuity and Divine Wisdom

This chapter addresses fundamental themes such as family continuity, the preservation of tribal heritage, and the wisdom of divine laws. Numbers 36 thus demonstrates the flexibility and foresight of God's law, offering solutions adapted to the realities of life. We invite you to study with us five biblical passages that resonate with the legal themes of this concluding chapter.

Relevant Bible Excerpts

Joshua 17:3-4: "But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters named Mahalah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They came to Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the officials and said, 'The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.' So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father's brothers, according to the Lord's commandment." This excerpt directly refers to the case of Zelophehad's daughters, discussed in Numbers 36.

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for all are one in Christ Jesus." Although in a different context, this verse reflects the principle of equality in inheritance discussed in Numbers 36 regarding Zelophehad's daughters.

Proverbs 13:22: "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." This proverb speaks of inheritance, the central theme of Numbers 36.

Ezekiel 46:18: "The prince shall not take any of the people's property by driving them from their possessions. You shall give your children an inheritance from your possessions only, so that none of my people will be separated from your possessions." This verse from Ezekiel echoes the concerns about preserving tribal heritage addressed in Numbers 36.

Ruth 4:5: "Then Boaz said, 'On the day you buy the land of Naomi, you shall also buy Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, that her name may be preserved in your inheritance.'" Ruth's story illustrates the issues of inheritance and intertribal marriage, which are central themes in Numbers 36.

Conclusion

Resonating with the teachings of Numbers 36, these biblical passages remind us of the importance of justice and fairness in matters of inheritance. May our understanding of these divine laws guide us in preserving our family and tribal heritage, according to God's design.