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:

And the chief {H7218} fathers {H1} of the families {H4940} of the children {H1121} of Gilead {H1568}, the son {H1121} of Machir {H4353}, the son {H1121} of Manasseh {H4519}, of the families {H4940} of the sons {H1121} of Joseph {H3130}, came near {H7126}, and spake {H1696} before {H6440} Moses {H4872}, and before {H6440} the princes {H5387}, the chief {H7218} fathers {H1} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}:

The leaders of the clans of the family of the descendants of Gil'ad, the son of Machir, the son of M'nasheh, of the families of the descendants of Yosef, approached and addressed Moshe and the leaders, the heads of the clans of the people of Isra'el.

Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them,

And the heads of the fathers’housesof 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:

Commentary

Context of Numbers 36:1

Numbers 36:1 opens the final chapter of the book of Numbers, setting the stage for a crucial legal clarification regarding land inheritance in ancient Israel. This verse introduces the petitioners: the "chief fathers" (or heads) of the families descended from Gilead, who belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, a son of Joseph. They approach Moses and the other tribal leaders with a specific concern.

The immediate backdrop for this verse is the earlier ruling in Numbers chapter 27, where God decreed that the daughters of Zelophehad (who were from the tribe of Manasseh and had no brothers) could inherit their father's land. This was a progressive ruling for its time, ensuring that families without male heirs would not lose their ancestral portion. However, it presented a potential future problem: if these daughters married outside their own tribe, their inherited land could eventually transfer to another tribe, disrupting the divinely ordained tribal boundaries and allotments in the Promised Land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Preservation of Tribal Inheritance: The primary concern of the Gileadite leaders was to safeguard the tribal land allotments. The meticulous distribution of land was central to Israel's identity and livelihood in Canaan, reflecting God's faithfulness in providing for each tribe.
  • Divine Law and its Application: This verse highlights the ongoing process of interpreting and applying God's law to real-life situations. The leaders weren't questioning the previous ruling but seeking wisdom on how to implement it without unintended negative consequences for tribal integrity.
  • Leadership and Governance: The interaction demonstrates the structured governance of Israel, with tribal heads presenting their concerns to Moses and the princes. It shows a system where communal issues were addressed through established authority.
  • Balancing Rights and Community Stability: The chapter, initiated by this verse, ultimately seeks to balance the individual right of women to inherit with the broader communal need for stable tribal boundaries and land ownership.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "chief fathers" (Hebrew: roshei avot) refers to the leading elders or heads of ancestral houses within the tribe. These were influential figures responsible for the welfare and legal standing of their families and clans. Their coming "near" and speaking "before Moses, and before the princes" indicates a formal and respectful petition, acknowledging the authority of the Israelite leadership in matters of law and land distribution.

Significance and Practical Application

Numbers 36:1, though seemingly a simple introductory verse, is vital for understanding the careful attention given to land distribution and tribal identity in ancient Israel. It underscores the importance of thoughtful governance and the need to consider the long-term implications of legal decisions. For us today, it offers several insights:

  • Wisdom in Lawmaking: It reminds us that laws, even good ones, may require further clarification or amendment to prevent unforeseen issues. Good governance involves foresight and responsiveness to the needs of the community.
  • Protecting Inheritances: While our concept of "inheritance" may differ from ancient land allotments, the principle of protecting what God has entrusted to us—whether spiritual gifts, resources, or responsibilities—remains relevant.
  • Communal Responsibility: The "chief fathers" acted on behalf of their families and tribe, demonstrating a strong sense of communal responsibility and the desire to preserve their heritage. This highlights the importance of leaders looking out for the long-term well-being of their communities.
  • Seeking Godly Counsel: The leaders brought their dilemma to Moses and the princes, who would then seek God's guidance. This models the practice of seeking divine wisdom and counsel when facing complex issues, trusting that God provides solutions (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 27:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then came 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: and these [are] the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.

  • 1 Chronicles 7:14 (2 votes)

    The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: ([but] his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:

  • 1 Chronicles 7:16 (2 votes)

    And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother [was] Sheresh; and his sons [were] Ulam and Rakem.

  • Joshua 17:2 (2 votes)

    There was also [a lot] for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these [were] the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.

  • Joshua 17:3 (2 votes)

    But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these [are] the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

  • Numbers 26:29 (2 votes)

    Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead [come] the family of the Gileadites.

  • Numbers 26:33 (2 votes)

    And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad [were] Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.