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Numbers 36 Commentary

Updated: Thu, 01/07/2021 - 20:54 By admin
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Numbers: Journey to God's Rest-Land by Irving Jensen- used by permission

Source: Ryrie Study Bible
THE BOOK OF NUMBERS
"Wilderness Wandering"
WALKING
Numbers 1-12		 WANDERING
Numbers 13-25		 WAITING
Numbers 26-36
Counting &
Camping
Nu 1-4		 Cleansing &
Congregation
Nu 5-8		 Carping &
Complaining
Nu 9-12		 12 Spies &
Death in Desert
Nu 13-16		 Aaron & Levites in
Wilderness
Nu 17-18		 Serpent of Brass & Story of Balaam
Nu 21-25		 Second Census 7 Laws of Israel
Nu 26-30		 Last Days of Moses as Leader
Nu 31-33		 Sections, Sanctuaries &
Settlements
Nu 34-36
Law
& Order		 Rebellion
& Disorder		 New Laws
for the New Order
Old
Generation		 Tragic
Transition		 New
Generation
Preparation for the Journey:
Moving Out		 Participation in the Journey:
Moving On		 Prize at end of the Journey:
Moving In
At Sinai
Mt Sinai		 To Moab
Mt Hor		 At Moab
Mt Nebo
En Route to Kadesh
(Mt Sinai)		 En Route to Nowhere
(Wilderness)		 En Route to Canaan
(Plains of Moab)
A Few Weeks to
2 Months		 38 years,
3 months, 10 days		 A Few
Months
Christ in Numbers = Our "Lifted-up One"
(Nu 21:9, cp Jn 3:14-15)
Author: Moses

Numbers 36:1  And the heads of the fathers' households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers' households of the sons of Israel,

BGT  Numbers 36:1 καὶ προσῆλθον οἱ ἄρχοντες φυλῆς υἱῶν Γαλααδ υἱοῦ Μαχιρ υἱοῦ Μανασση ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς υἱῶν Ιωσηφ καὶ ἐλάλησαν ἔναντι Μωυσῆ καὶ ἔναντι Ελεαζαρ τοῦ ἱερέως καὶ ἔναντι τῶν ἀρχόντων οἴκων πατριῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ

NET  Numbers 36:1 Then the heads of the family groups of the Gileadites, the descendant of Machir, the descendant of Manasseh, who were from the Josephite families, approached and spoke before Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families.

NLT  Numbers 36:1 Then the heads of the clans of Gilead-- descendants of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph-- came to Moses and the family leaders of Israel with a petition.

ESV  Numbers 36:1 The heads of the fathers' houses of the clan of the people of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of the people of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the chiefs, the heads of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel.

NIV  Numbers 36:1 The family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and the leaders, the heads of the Israelite families.

KJV  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:

YLT  Numbers 36:1 And the heads of the fathers of the families of the sons of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, come near, and speak before Moses, and before the princes, heads of the fathers of the sons of Israel,

LXE  Numbers 36:1 And the heads of the tribe of the sons of Galaad the son of Machir the son of Manasse, of the tribe of the sons of Joseph, drew near, and spoke before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the heads of the houses of the families of the children of Israel:

ASV  Numbers 36:1 And the heads of the fathers' houses of the family 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 heads of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel:

  • Gilead: Nu 26:29-33 27:1 Jos 17:2,3 1Ch 7:14-16 
  • Numbers 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Related Passages (describing sons of Gilead)

Numbers 26:28-32  The sons of Joseph according to their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead: of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites; 31 and of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; 32 and of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.

OUTLINE OF NUMBERS 36 - MARRIAGE OF HEIRESSES OF LAND (MARRIAGE OF FEMALE HEIRS)

  • Nu 36:1-4 Problem Raised Regarding Inheritance of Daughters of Zelophehad
  • Nu 36:5-9 Moses Solution to the Problem
  • Nu 36:10-12 Moses Solution Implemented
  • Nu 36:13 Conclusion of Numbers

PRESENTERS OF
THE PROBLEM

And the heads of the fathers' households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph - Note that here we have four generations from Joseph down to his great great grandsons. 

came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers' households of the sons of Israel - While Eleazar and Joshua are not mentioned, the Greek and the Syriac add "and before Eleazar the priest." These heads came near and spoke before Moses because the daughters of Zelophehad were in their lineage (tribe of Manasseh) as described in Nu 27:1 "Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, came near; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah." 

Gilead - Great grandson of Joseph and original clan leader in tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 26:28-32; Numbers 36:1 ). The clan was so strong it could be listed with Israel's tribes who sent volunteers across the Jordan to fight with Deborah and Barak against the Canaanites led by Sisera (Judges 5:17). They fought for recognition among other tribes (Judges 12:4-7 ).

Machir was the son of Manasseh, grandson of Joseph, and father of Gilead. [Nu 26:29] Joseph lived to see and to play a part in the up-bringing of Machir and his children.[Ge 50:23] In the Torah's account of the journey of the Israelites after the Exodus, Machir (the individual) is portrayed as conquering the territories known as Gilead and Bashan, which had previously been occupied by Amorites.[Nu 32:39-40, Dt 3:15] Half of the tribe of Manasseh, those descended from Machir, are described as having settled in Gilead and Bashan,[Numbers 36:1-3] and consequently they were important in Gilead's history.

 

Numbers 36:2  and they said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.

BGT  Numbers 36:2 καὶ εἶπαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν ἐνετείλατο κύριος ἀποδοῦναι τὴν γῆν τῆς κληρονομίας ἐν κλήρῳ τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ καὶ τῷ κυρίῳ συνέταξεν κύριος δοῦναι τὴν κληρονομίαν Σαλπααδ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἡμῶν ταῖς θυγατράσιν αὐτοῦ

NET  Numbers 36:2 They said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the Israelites; and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.

NLT  Numbers 36:2 They said, "Sir, the LORD instructed you to divide the land by sacred lot among the people of Israel. You were told by the LORD to give the grant of land owned by our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.

ESV  Numbers 36:2 They said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.

NIV  Numbers 36:2 They said, "When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, he ordered you to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:2 and say, Jehovah commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the sons of Israel, and my lord hath been commanded by Jehovah to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.

LXE  Numbers 36:2 and they said, The Lord commanded our lord to render the land of inheritance by lot to the children of Israel; and the Lord appointed our lord to give the inheritance of Salpaad our brother to his daughters.

ASV  Numbers 36:2 and they said, Jehovah commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by Jehovah to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.

CSB  Numbers 36:2 They said, " Yahweh commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the Israelites. My lord was further commanded by Yahweh to give our brother Zelophehad's inheritance to his daughters.

NKJ  Numbers 36:2 And they said: "The LORD commanded my lord Moses to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.

NRS  Numbers 36:2 they said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the Israelites; and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.

  • The Lord commanded : Nu 26:55,56 Nu 27:1-7 33:54 Jos 13:6 14:1,2 17:3 
  • to give: Nu 27:1,7 Jos 17:3-6 Job 42:15 
  • Numbers 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

REVIEW OF COMMAND
TO GIVE LAND TO HEIRESSES

and they said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters - The issue is the distribution or division of the land. They prepare their case by first referring to Numbers 27:1-7 which concludes with God's command in Nu 27:7 declaring that "The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements. You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father’s brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them." So they are not arguing with the validity of this command, but as they go on to explain, with the ramifications of the practical application of this command. 

It is interesting to note that they here twice refer to Moses with the honorific title my lord ('adon) (cf Nu 32:25, 27) clearly expressing their deference to Moses as their leader. They would seem to be bringing this problem to him not arrogantly but with a humble attitude. This current honoring of Moses was in marked contrast to the treatment he had received from the first generation! Only Aaron (in fear in Ex 32:22 and Nu 12:11) and Joshua (Nu 11:26) had addressed Moses as my lord before. Finally, at the end of Moses' life the Israelites show him honor he had always been due! 

F B Meyer Numbers 36:2   The inheritance of Zelophehad unto his daughters.

From the earliest, the germ-principle of the emancipation of woman, and her right to stand on an equality with man, is recognized in Scripture. These women were heiresses in their own right, and might marry as they thought best. Christianity in this respect, as in so many others, is the fulfillment of the Divine thought in the older dispensation. Ruth was the prototype of Mary of Bethany; Rahab of the Syrophenician woman; Hagar of Lydia.

The inheritance of woman in the nature of Christ. — There are certain qualities in the Son of Man peculiarly adapted for the heart of woman. Tenderness for her many tears — “Woman, why weepest thou? “Sympathy in her quest for a love that will not fail — “Mary.” An answer to her many questions — “Woman, believe Me.” Strength for her clinging weakness — “Forbid her not.” Hope for her despair — “If thou couldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God.” O woman, remember Him who is the counterpart of thy need, and offers thee Himself. “The same is my sister.”

The inheritance of woman in the work of Christ. — She is called to enrich men by bringing to them her inheritance. So the daughters of Zelophehad brought their land to their husbands, and the women bore the tidings of the risen Lord to the disciples. Thus women, receiving much from fellowship with Christ, come to men, steeped in materialism and sense, telling of a purer, fairer life, and summoning them to inherit it. Well is it for the home where this principle is recognized, and where the wife and mother is ever feeding her soul with noble ideals, to correct the false estimates that too much contact with men of the world are apt to induce in those she loves! 

Numbers 36:3  "But if they marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance.

BGT  Numbers 36:3 καὶ ἔσονται ἑνὶ τῶν φυλῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ γυναῖκες καὶ ἀφαιρεθήσεται ὁ κλῆρος αὐτῶν ἐκ τῆς κατασχέσεως τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν καὶ προστεθήσεται εἰς κληρονομίαν τῆς φυλῆς οἷς ἂν γένωνται γυναῖκες καὶ ἐκ τοῦ κλήρου τῆς κληρονομίας ἡμῶν ἀφαιρεθήσεται

NET  Numbers 36:3 Now if they should be married to one of the men from another Israelite tribe, their inheritance would be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. As a result, it will be taken from the lot of our inheritance.

NLT  Numbers 36:3 But if they marry men from another tribe, their grants of land will go with them to the tribe into which they marry. In this way, the total area of our tribal land will be reduced.

ESV  Numbers 36:3 But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.

NIV  Numbers 36:3 Now suppose they marry men from other Israelite tribes; then their inheritance will be taken from our ancestral inheritance and added to that of the tribe they marry into. And so part of the inheritance allotted to us will be taken away.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:3 'And -- they have been to one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel for wives, and their inheritance hath been withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers, and hath been added to the inheritance of the tribe which is theirs, and from the lot of our inheritance it is withdrawn,

LXE  Numbers 36:3 And they will become wives in one of the tribes of the children of Israel; so their inheritance shall be taken away from the possession of our fathers, and shall be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which the women shall marry, and shall be taken away from the portion of our inheritance.

ASV  Numbers 36:3 And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong: so will it be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.

CSB  Numbers 36:3 If they marry any of the men from the other Israelite tribes, their inheritance will be taken away from our fathers' inheritance and added to that of the tribe into which they marry. Therefore, part of our allotted inheritance would be taken away.

Related Passage - 

Leviticus 25:10+ ‘You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.

Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

THE HEART OF THE HEIRESS 
INHERITANCE PROBLEM

But if - Introduces their problem with God's command to give the land to the daughters. 

They marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance - NLT = " But if they marry men from another tribe, their grants of land will go with them to the tribe into which they marry. In this way, the total area of our tribal land will be reduced."  The essence of the problem was the potential of a daughter of Zelophehad marrying a man who was not in the tribe of Manasseh. If that occurred, the tribe of Manasseh would in effect lose some of the land that was originally allotted to them and the tribe of the new husband would in effect gain more land. 

Numbers 36:4  "When the jubilee of the sons of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; so their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers."

BGT  Numbers 36:4 ἐὰν δὲ γένηται ἡ ἄφεσις τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ προστεθήσεται ἡ κληρονομία αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν τῆς φυλῆς οἷς ἂν γένωνται γυναῖκες καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς κληρονομίας φυλῆς πατριᾶς ἡμῶν ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἡ κληρονομία αὐτῶν

NET  Numbers 36:4 And when the Jubilee of the Israelites is to take place, their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our ancestral tribe."

NLT  Numbers 36:4 Then when the Year of Jubilee comes, their portion of land will be added to that of the new tribe, causing it to be lost forever to our ancestral tribe."

ESV  Numbers 36:4 And when the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers."

NIV  Numbers 36:4 When the Year of Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to that of the tribe into which they marry, and their property will be taken from the tribal inheritance of our forefathers."

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:4 and if it is the jubilee of the sons of Israel, then hath their inheritance been added to the inheritance of the tribe which is theirs, and from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers is their inheritance withdrawn.'

LXE  Numbers 36:4 And if there shall be a release of the children of Israel, then shall their inheritance be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which the women marry, and their inheritance, shall be taken away from the inheritance of our family's tribe.

ASV  Numbers 36:4 And when the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be, then will their inheritance be added unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong: so will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

CSB  Numbers 36:4 When the Jubilee comes for the Israelites, their inheritance will be added to that of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our ancestral tribe."

TRANSFER OF LAND 
REALIZED AT JUBILEE

When the jubilee of the sons of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; so their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers - The regulation that relates to this passage is found in Leviticus 25:10 which says "You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family."

Ibn Ezra says "The chieftains are saying, “We would have no expectation of regaining our land even at the jubilee—it would be permanently added to the holdings of the other tribe.”

Rashi comment on When the Israelites observe the jubilee. - The point is that this inherited land would not return to its original tribe in the jubilee year. This is not a sale, but land that is permanently transferred by inheritance from one tribe to another and therefore “added to the portion” of the tribe into which they marry.

Milgrom on Jubilee - Hebrew ha-yovel. Sold ancestral land, but not inherited land, reverts to its original owner in the Jubilee year (Lev. 25:10)

Question -  What is the Year of Jubilee?

Answer: The word “jubilee”—literally, “ram’s horn” in Hebrew—is defined in Leviticus 25:9 as the sabbatical year after seven cycles of seven years (49 years). The fiftieth year was to be a time of celebration and rejoicing for the Israelites. The ram’s horn was blown on the tenth day of the seventh month to start the fiftieth year of universal redemption.

The Year of the Jubilee involved a year of release from indebtedness (Leviticus 25:23-38) and all types of bondage (Lev 39-55). All prisoners and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven, and all property was returned to its original owners. In addition, all labor was to cease for one year, and those bound by labor contracts were released from them. One of the benefits of the Jubilee was that both the land and the people were able to rest.

The Jubilee presents a beautiful picture of the New Testament themes of redemption and forgiveness. Christ is the Redeemer who came to set free those who are slaves and prisoners to sin (Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:1; 3:22). The debt of sin we owe to God was paid on the cross as Jesus died on our behalf (Colossians 2:13-14), and we are forgiven the debt forever. We are no longer in bondage, no longer slaves to sin, having been freed by Christ, and we can truly enter the rest God provides as we cease laboring to make ourselves acceptable to God by our own works (Hebrews 4:9-10). GotQuestions.org

Numbers 36:5  Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements.

BGT  Numbers 36:5 καὶ ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ διὰ προστάγματος κυρίου λέγων οὕτως φυλὴ υἱῶν Ιωσηφ λέγουσιν

NET  Numbers 36:5 Then Moses gave a ruling to the Israelites by the word of the LORD: "What the tribe of the Josephites is saying is right.

NLT  Numbers 36:5 So Moses gave the Israelites this command from the LORD: "The claim of the men of the tribe of Joseph is legitimate.

ESV  Numbers 36:5 And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The tribe of the people of Joseph is right.

NIV  Numbers 36:5 Then at the LORD's command Moses gave this order to the Israelites: "What the tribe of the descendants of Joseph is saying is right.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:5 And Moses commandeth the sons of Israel, by the command of Jehovah, saying, 'Rightly are the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaking;

LXE  Numbers 36:5 And Moses charged the children of Israel by the commandment of the Lord, saying, Thus says the tribe of the children of Joseph.

ASV  Numbers 36:5 And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of Jehovah, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right.

CSB  Numbers 36:5 So Moses commanded the Israelites at the word of the LORD, "What the tribe of Joseph's descendants says is right.

NKJ  Numbers 36:5 Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: "What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right.

NRS  Numbers 36:5 Then Moses commanded the Israelites according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The descendants of the tribe of Joseph are right in what they are saying.

Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of the LORD - It might be easy to read past this phrase but clearly Moses based his decision on consultation with the God of the Word in some way. So too should we do when faced with important decision points in our life. 

Saying, "The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements - Moses saw their wisdom in having foresight regarding problems that might occur in the future. 

Numbers 36:6  "This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.'

BGT  Numbers 36:6 τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ συνέταξεν κύριος ταῖς θυγατράσιν Σαλπααδ λέγων οὗ ἀρέσκει ἐναντίον αὐτῶν ἔστωσαν γυναῖκες πλὴν ἐκ τοῦ δήμου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν ἔστωσαν γυναῖκες

NET  Numbers 36:6 This is what the LORD has commanded for Zelophehad's daughters: 'Let them marry whomever they think best, only they must marry within the family of their father's tribe.

NLT  Numbers 36:6 This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: Let them marry anyone they like, as long as it is within their own ancestral tribe.

ESV  Numbers 36:6 This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: 'Let them marry whom they think best, only they shall marry within the clan of the tribe of their father.

NIV  Numbers 36:6 This is what the LORD commands for Zelophehad's daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within the tribal clan of their father.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:6 this is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, To those good in their eyes let them be for wives; only, to a family of the tribe of their fathers let them be for wives;

LXE  Numbers 36:6 This is the thing which the Lord has appointed the daughters of Salpaad, saying, Let them marry where they please, only let them marry men of their father's tribe.

ASV  Numbers 36:6 This is the thing which Jehovah doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them be married to whom they think best; only into the family of the tribe of their father shall they be married.

CSB  Numbers 36:6 This is what the LORD has commanded concerning Zelophehad's daughters: They may marry anyone they like provided they marry within a clan of their ancestral tribe.

NKJ  Numbers 36:6 "This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying,`Let them marry whom they think best, but they may marry only within the family of their father's tribe.'

NRS  Numbers 36:6 This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, 'Let them marry whom they think best; only it must be into a clan of their father's tribe that they are married,

  • the family: Nu 36:12 Ge 24:3,57,58 2Co 6:14 
  • Numbers 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.'

Numbers 36:7  "Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

BGT  Numbers 36:7 καὶ οὐχὶ περιστραφήσεται κληρονομία τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ ἀπὸ φυλῆς ἐπὶ φυλήν ὅτι ἕκαστος ἐν τῇ κληρονομίᾳ τῆς φυλῆς τῆς πατριᾶς αὐτοῦ προσκολληθήσονται οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ

NET  Numbers 36:7 In this way the inheritance of the Israelites will not be transferred from tribe to tribe. But every one of the Israelites must retain the ancestral heritage.

NLT  Numbers 36:7 None of the territorial land may pass from tribe to tribe, for all the land given to each tribe must remain within the tribe to which it was first allotted.

ESV  Numbers 36:7 The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another, for every one of the people of Israel shall hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

NIV  Numbers 36:7 No inheritance in Israel is to pass from tribe to tribe, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal land inherited from his forefathers.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:7 and the inheritance of the sons of Israel doth not turn round from tribe unto tribe; for each to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers, do the sons of Israel cleave.

LXE  Numbers 36:7 So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel go about from tribe to tribe, for the children of Israel shall steadfastly continue each in the inheritance of his family's tribe.

ASV  Numbers 36:7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall cleave every one to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

CSB  Numbers 36:7 An inheritance belonging to the Israelites must not transfer from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of his ancestral tribe.

NKJ  Numbers 36:7 "So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

NRS  Numbers 36:7 so that no inheritance of the Israelites shall be transferred from one tribe to another; for all Israelites shall retain the inheritance of their ancestral tribes.

  • keep himself (KJV): Heb. cleave, Nu 36:9 1Ki 21:3 
  • Numbers 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

NO INHERITANCE TRANSFER
FROM TRIBE TO TRIBE

Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers - This would also establish the precedent that a man of one tribe shall not endeavour to obtain any part of the inheritance of another tribe by marrying an heiress in the other tribe.

G Campbell Morgan - Num. 36:7
This word was uttered in connection with the question of the inheritance of women, which had already been raised through the application of the daughters of Zelophehad. It was now opened again by the heads of the tribes. It was possible that these women night marry men out of other tribes. In that case their inheritance would pass over to another tribe. Therefore it was now enacted that they must only marry within their own tribe. By this law, the Divine purpose that the settlement in the land should be orderly and sustained, was ensured of realization. Thus closes the Book of Numbers. It is essentially the Book of the Wilderness. The nation was on the eve of entering the land. The actual history is resumed in the last chapter of Deuteronomy. It is impossible to have studied this book without having been impressed, first, with the failure of the people. It is a record of long-continued stubbornness and folly. Yet we are pre-vented from thinking hardly of this people by the fact that the book is a record of the unwearying patience and perpetual faithfulness of God. Throughout, the progress of a Divine movement is manifest. It is not of man, but of Jehovah. Indeed, it is hardly a history of the Hebrew people, being far more a revelation of the sure procedure of God toward the final working out into human history of the redemptive purpose of His heart; the first movements of which were recorded in Genesis, the central work of which was accomplished by the Son of God, and the final victories of which are not vet.

Numbers 36:8  "Every daughter who comes into possession of an inheritance of any tribe of the sons of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that the sons of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers.

BGT  Numbers 36:8 καὶ πᾶσα θυγάτηρ ἀγχιστεύουσα κληρονομίαν ἐκ τῶν φυλῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἑνὶ τῶν ἐκ τοῦ δήμου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς ἔσονται γυναῖκες ἵνα ἀγχιστεύσωσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ἕκαστος τὴν κληρονομίαν τὴν πατρικὴν αὐτοῦ

NET  Numbers 36:8 And every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any of the tribes of the Israelites must become the wife of a man from any family in her father's tribe, so that every Israelite may retain the inheritance of his fathers.

NLT  Numbers 36:8 The daughters throughout the tribes of Israel who are in line to inherit property must marry within their tribe, so that all the Israelites will keep their ancestral property.

ESV  Numbers 36:8 And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Israel shall be wife to one of the clan of the tribe of her father, so that every one of the people of Israel may possess the inheritance of his fathers.

NIV  Numbers 36:8 Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father's tribal clan, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:8 'And every daughter possessing an inheritance, of the tribes of the sons of Israel, is to one of the family of the tribe of her father for a wife, so that the sons of Israel possess each the inheritance of his fathers,

LXE  Numbers 36:8 And whatever daughter is heiress to a property of the tribes of the children Israel, such women shall be married each to one of her father's tribe, that the sons of Israel may each inherit the property of his father's tribe.

ASV  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 possess every man the inheritance of his fathers.

CSB  Numbers 36:8 Any daughter who possesses an inheritance from an Israelite tribe must marry someone from the clan of her ancestral tribe, so that each of the Israelites will possess the inheritance of his fathers.

THE LAW - HEIRESSES COULD
NOT MARRY OUTSIDE THEIR TRIBE

Every daughter who comes into possession of an inheritance of any tribe of the sons of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that the sons of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers - This establish the law that a heiress who owned land could not marry outside of the tribe which would prevent land from passing to another tribe. 

Numbers 36:9  "Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance."

BGT  Numbers 36:9 καὶ οὐ περιστραφήσεται κλῆρος ἐκ φυλῆς ἐπὶ φυλὴν ἑτέραν ἀλλὰ ἕκαστος ἐν τῇ κληρονομίᾳ αὐτοῦ προσκολληθήσονται οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ

NET  Numbers 36:9 No inheritance may pass from tribe to tribe. But every one of the tribes of the Israelites must retain its inheritance."

NLT  Numbers 36:9 No grant of land may pass from one tribe to another; each tribe of Israel must keep its allotted portion of land."

ESV  Numbers 36:9 So no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another, for each of the tribes of the people of Israel shall hold on to its own inheritance.'"

NIV  Numbers 36:9 No inheritance may pass from tribe to tribe, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits."

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:9 and the inheritance doth not turn round from one tribe to another tribe; for each to his inheritance do they cleave, the tribes of the sons of Israel.'

LXE  Numbers 36:9 And the inheritance shall not go about from one tribe to another, but the children of Israel shall steadfastly continue each in his own inheritance.

ASV  Numbers 36:9 So shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall cleave every one to his own inheritance.

CSB  Numbers 36:9 No inheritance is to transfer from one tribe to another, because each of the Israelite tribes is to retain its inheritance."

NKJ  Numbers 36:9 "Thus no inheritance shall change hands from one tribe to another, but every tribe of the children of Israel shall keep its own inheritance."

NRS  Numbers 36:9 No inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another; for each of the tribes of the Israelites shall retain its own inheritance.'"

CONCLUSION - NO TRANSFER
OF LAND TO ANOTHER TRIBE

Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance

Numbers 36:10  Just as the LORD had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did:

BGT  Numbers 36:10 ὃν τρόπον συνέταξεν κύριος Μωυσῇ οὕτως ἐποίησαν θυγατέρες Σαλπααδ

NET  Numbers 36:10 As the LORD had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did.

NLT  Numbers 36:10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD commanded Moses.

ESV  Numbers 36:10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD commanded Moses,

NIV  Numbers 36:10 So Zelophehad's daughters did as the LORD commanded Moses.

KJV  Numbers 36:10 Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:

YLT  Numbers 36:10 As Jehovah hath commanded Moses, so have the daughters of Zelophehad done,

LXE  Numbers 36:10 As the Lord commanded Moses, so did they to the daughters of Salpaad.

ASV  Numbers 36:10 Even as Jehovah commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:

CSB  Numbers 36:10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD commanded Moses.

NKJ  Numbers 36:10 Just as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad;

NRS  Numbers 36:10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NAB  Numbers 36:10 The daughters of Zelophehad obeyed the command which the LORD had given to Moses.

NJB  Numbers 36:10 Zelophehad's daughters did as Yahweh had ordered Moses.

GWN  Numbers 36:10 Zelophehad's daughters did as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • Ex 39:42,43 Lev 24:23 2Ch 30:12 Mt 28:20 
  • Numbers 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

Just as the LORD had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did:

Believer's Study Bible - For a member of the unbelieving generation of Israel, Zelophehad is greatly honored in Scripture through his faithful daughters (Num. 26:33; 27:3, note; Josh. 17:3-6, note; 1 Chr. 7:15). This striking record of obedience is a promising note on which to end such a book that contrasts Israel's unfaithfulness with the Lord's faithfulness. The implicit conclusion is, "Be like the faithful daughters of Zelophehad, not like the unbelieving first generation." 

Numbers 36:11  Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad married their uncles' sons.

BGT  Numbers 36:11 καὶ ἐγένοντο Θερσα καὶ Εγλα καὶ Μελχα καὶ Νουα καὶ Μααλα θυγατέρες Σαλπααδ τοῖς ἀνεψιοῖς αὐτῶν

NET  Numbers 36:11 For the daughters of Zelophehad– Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah– were married to the sons of their uncles.

NLT  Numbers 36:11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah all married cousins on their father's side.

ESV  Numbers 36:11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to sons of their father's brothers.

NIV  Numbers 36:11 Zelophehad's daughters--Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah--married their cousins on their father's side.

KJV  Numbers 36:11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons:

YLT  Numbers 36:11 and Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, daughters of Zelophehad, are to the sons of their fathers' brethren for wives;

LXE  Numbers 36:11 So Thersa, and Egla, and Melcha, and Nua, and Malaa, the daughters of Salpaad, married their cousins;

ASV  Numbers 36:11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons.

CSB  Numbers 36:11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, married cousins on their father's side.

NKJ  Numbers 36:11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to the sons of their father's brothers.

NRS  Numbers 36:11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, married sons of their father's brothers.

DAUGHTERS MARRY
WITHIN THE TRIBE

Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad married their uncles' sons - Their uncles' sons were in the tribe of Manasseh, so the land allotted to the tribe of Manasseh remained in their control as God desired it to be. He did not want any land passing from tribe to tribe. 

Matthew Henry - 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. 

Numbers 36:12  They married those from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained with the tribe of the family of their father.

BGT  Numbers 36:12 ἐκ τοῦ δήμου τοῦ Μανασση υἱῶν Ιωσηφ ἐγενήθησαν γυναῖκες καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ κληρονομία αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὴν φυλὴν δήμου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν

NET  Numbers 36:12 They were married into the families of the Manassehites, the descendants of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father's family.

NLT  Numbers 36:12 They married into the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. Thus, their inheritance of land remained within their ancestral tribe.

ESV  Numbers 36:12 They were married into the clans of the people of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father's clan.

NIV  Numbers 36:12 They married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in their father's clan and tribe.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:12 to men of the families of the sons of Manasseh, son of Joseph, they have been for wives, and their inheritance is with the tribe of the family of their father.

LXE  Numbers 36:12 they were married to men of the tribe of Manasse of the sons of Joseph; and their inheritance was attached to the tribe of their father's family.

ASV  Numbers 36:12 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.

CSB  Numbers 36:12 They married men from the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained within the tribe of their father's clan.

NKJ  Numbers 36:12 They were married into the families of the children of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father's family.

NRS  Numbers 36:12 They were married into the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father's clan.

LAND REMAINED IN
THE ORIGINAL TRIBE

They married those from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained with the tribe of the family of their father - The daughters obeyed the stipulations. 

MacArthur - The daughters of Zelophehad exemplified the obedience to God’s commandments that should have been practiced by all of Israel. Their inheritance was a direct result of their obedience to the Lord—a basic lesson stressed throughout the whole book of Numbers. (MSB)

Numbers 36:13  These are the commandments and the ordinances which the LORD commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.

BGT  Numbers 36:13 αὗται αἱ ἐντολαὶ καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα καὶ τὰ κρίματα ἃ ἐνετείλατο κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωαβ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ιορδάνου κατὰ Ιεριχω

NET  Numbers 36:13 These are the commandments and the decisions that the LORD commanded the Israelites through the authority of Moses, on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River opposite Jericho.

NLT  Numbers 36:13 These are the commands and regulations that the LORD gave to the people of Israel through Moses while they were camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River across from Jericho.

ESV  Numbers 36:13 These are the commandments and the rules that the LORD commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

NIV  Numbers 36:13 These are the commands and regulations the LORD gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

KJV  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.

YLT  Numbers 36:13 These are the commands and the judgments which Jehovah hath commanded, by the hand of Moses, concerning the sons of Israel, in the plains of Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho.

LXE  Numbers 36:13 These are the commandments, and the ordinances, and the judgments, which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, at the west of Moab, at Jordan by Jericho.

ASV  Numbers 36:13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which Jehovah commanded by Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

CSB  Numbers 36:13 These are the commands and ordinances the LORD commanded the Israelites through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

NKJ  Numbers 36:13 These are the commandments and the judgments which the LORD commanded the children of Israel by the hand of Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

NRS  Numbers 36:13 These are the commandments and the ordinances that the LORD commanded through Moses to the Israelites in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

  • the commandments: Lev 7:37,38 11:46 13:59 14:54-57 15:32,33 Lev 27:34 
  • in the plains of Moab: Nu 26:3 33:50 35:1 
  • Numbers 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries

 
Israel Poised to Take the Land Opposite Jericho (Source)

THE END OF
NUMBERS

These are the commandments and the ordinances which the LORD commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho - This summary statement does not refer to the statutes in Numbers 36, for God in fact gave no specific commandment. The judgment was given by Moses. And so the phrase These are the commandments clearly refers to all the rules and regulations that the Israelites received during their encampment on the plains of Moab. 

It is interesting that the book of Leviticus ends with a very similar statement

Leviticus 27:34  These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.

Brian Bell summarizes Numbers -  Numbers holds a bitter-sweet place in the bible!

On the one hand Hope (ch.1-10) & Victory (21-36);

On the other hand, chapters 13-20 hold many negative comments in the rest of the bible.

  • Israel’s 1st generation is remembered for squandering opportunities, rebellion, & unbelief. It illustrates their greed, faithlessness, & idolatry.
  • It becomes a sober warning to all persons of faith.

Still when Numbers closes, Hope springs anew!

  •  A new generation is hungry for the Lord & the fulfillment of His promises.
  •  A 2nd high priest & Moses’s replacement stand ready to serve.
  • God’s grace has overcome all obstacles & continues to do so in Israel’s history, right through the crucifixion & resurrection of Jesus Christ

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