Numbers36
English Standard Version
1The of the ’ houses of the of the of the of , of , from the of the of , came and and the , the of the ’ houses of the of .
2They , The Lord my to the for by to the of , and my was by the Lord to the of our to his .
3But if they are to of the of the other of the of , then their will be from the of our and the of the into they marry. So it will be away from the of our .
4And the of the of comes, then their will be the of the into they marry, and their will be from the of the of our .
5And the of to the of the Lord, , The of the of is .
6 is the Lord concerning the of : Let them whom they , they shall within the of the of their .
7The of the of shall be from one to , every of the of shall hold to the of the of his .
8And who an in any of the of shall be to of the of the of her , so every of the of may the of his .
9So shall be from one to , of the of the of shall to its own .
10The of the Lord ,
11for , , , , and , the of , were to of their father’s .
12They were into the of the of the of , and their remained in the of their .
13 are the and the the Lord to the of in the of the at .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 36.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad. (1–4). The daughters of Zelophehad are to marry in their own tribe. (5–12). Conclusion. (13).
vv1-4
The heads of the tribe of Manasseh represent the evil which might follow, if the daughters of Zelophehad should marry into any other tribes. They sought to preserve the Divine appointment of inheritances, and that contests and quarrels should not rise among those who should come afterwards. It is the wisdom and duty of those who have estates in the world, to settle them, and to dispose of them, so that no strife and contention may arise. (Nu 36:5-12)
vv5-12
Those who consult the oracles of God, concerning the making of their heavenly inheritance sure, shall not only be directed what to do, but their inquiries shall be graciously accepted. God would not have one tribe enriched at the expense of another. Each tribe was to keep to its own inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad submitted to this appointment. How could they fail to marry well, when God himself directed them? Let the people of God learn how suitable and proper it is, like the daughters of Israel, to be united only to their own people. Ought not every true believer Israel, to be united only to their own people. Ought not every true believer in Jesus, to be very attentive in the near and tender relations of life, to be united only to such as are united to the Lord? All our intentions and inclinations ought to be subjected to the will of God, when that is made known to us, and especially in contracting marriage. Although the word of God allows affection and preference in this important relation, it does not sanction that foolish, ungovernable, and idolatrous passion, which cares not what may be the end; but in defiance of authority, determines upon self-gratification. All such conduct, however disguised, is against common sense, the interests of society, the happiness of the marriage relation, and, what is still more evil, against the religion of Christ.
v13
These are the judgments the Lord commanded in the plains of Moab. Most of them related to the settlement in Canaan, into which the Israelites were now entering. Whatever new condition God, by his providence, brings us into, we must beg him to teach us the duties of it, and to enable us to do them, that we may do the work of the day in its day, the duty of a place in its place.
Key Words
רֹאשׁ: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מִשְׁפָּחָה: a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
גִּלְעָד: Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
מָכִיר: Makir, an Israelite
מְנַשֶּׁה: Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
יוֹסֵף: Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
קָרַב: to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Numbers 36Establishes the background of the daughters of Zelophehad and their initial claim to land.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains the function of the Jubilee year in returning properties, highlighting the present legislative problem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows historical application where daughters with an inheritance marry their cousins to preserve property.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God's prior declaration that the daughters of Zelophehad 'speak right' matches the endorsement in verse 5.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Naboth's refusal to yield his inheritance illustrates the sacredness of keeping ancestral tribal land.
The fulfillment of this land grant to Zelophehad's daughters during the partition of Canaan.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jubilee return-to-possession rules, which would fail to solve the transfer of land via marriage.
Supported by JFB
Lists the genealogy of Manasseh, Machir, and Gilead, framing the tribal context.
Similar summary closing verse for the collection of commandments delivered at Sinai.
Confirms the names of the five daughters of Zelophehad listed in the census.
Geographical parallel establishing the plains of Moab as the location for these final laws.