Numbers 36:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Even as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}, so did {H6213} the daughters {H1323} of Zelophehad {H6765}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The daughters of Tz'lof'chad did as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

So the daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version

Even as Jehovah commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 36:10 serves as the culminating statement in a remarkable legal and theological narrative, affirming the precise and faithful obedience of the daughters of Zelophehad. This verse marks the successful resolution of a complex inheritance dispute, showcasing God's meticulous care for His people, His commitment to justice, and the paramount importance of adherence to divine command in the preservation of tribal identity and the equitable distribution of the promised land within ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the definitive conclusion to a significant legal precedent established earlier in the book of Numbers. The narrative begins in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Plea") where Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, the daughters of Zelophehad, approach Moses with a unique dilemma: their father had died without male heirs, threatening the loss of their family's inheritance portion in the promised land. The LORD, through Moses, unequivocally rules in their favor, granting them the right to inherit their father's land, thereby setting a groundbreaking precedent for female inheritance in the absence of sons (see [Numbers 27:6-8](/numbers/27-6 "Numbers 27:6-8 - God's Ruling on Inheritance")). However, this ruling created a new concern for the tribal leaders of Manasseh, Zelophehad's tribe. They feared that if these daughters married outside their tribe, their inherited land would transfer to another tribe, thus diminishing Manasseh's allocated territory. [Numbers 36:1-4](/numbers/36-1 "Numbers 36:1-4 - The Tribal Leaders' Concern") details their appeal to Moses. In response, the LORD issues a further command, specifically for Zelophehad's daughters, that they must marry within their own tribe and clan to prevent the transfer of land between tribes ([Numbers 36:6-9](/numbers/36-6 "Numbers 36:6-9 - The Divine Command for Inter-Tribal Marriage")). Numbers 36:10 then serves as the final, concise declaration that they faithfully complied with this specific, divinely ordained instruction, bringing the entire legal and social issue to a just and obedient close.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was a patriarchal society where land inheritance typically passed through the male line. Land was not merely property; it was a perpetual inheritance, a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness and the basis of tribal identity and economic stability. The allocation of land by lot, as described in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Allocation of Land by Lot"), was foundational to Israelite society, ensuring each tribe received its designated portion. The case of Zelophehad's daughters challenged this patriarchal norm, highlighting a potential injustice within the system. God's initial ruling in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Plea") demonstrated His concern for equity and the preservation of family lines, even for women. The subsequent command in [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - Preservation of Tribal Land") addressed the broader societal concern of maintaining tribal boundaries and preventing the dilution of inheritances, which was crucial for the long-term social, economic, and spiritual integrity of the twelve tribes as they prepared to settle in Canaan. The daughters' obedience in [Numbers 36:10](/numbers/36-10 "Numbers 36:10 - The Daughters' Obedience") underscores the gravity with which divine commands were received and executed, especially concerning the divinely ordained structure of the nascent Israelite nation.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative culminating in [Numbers 36:10](/numbers/36-10 "Numbers 36:10 - The Daughters' Obedience") powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, **Obedience to Divine Command** is paramount; the verse explicitly states that the daughters acted "even as the LORD commanded Moses," emphasizing the direct and complete adherence to God's authoritative word, a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Deuteronomy 5:32](/deuteronomy/5-32 "Deuteronomy 5:32 - Walk in All the Way Commanded")). Secondly, **Divine Justice and Equity** are central, as God intervenes to ensure a just outcome for those who might otherwise be disenfranchised, demonstrating His attentiveness to the specific needs of His people and His commitment to fairness within His law (cf. [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God Defends the Rights of the Fatherless and Widow")). Thirdly, the **Preservation of Inheritance and Tribal Identity** is a significant concern; God's commands ensure that the integrity of tribal land allocations, vital for the social and economic fabric of Israel, is maintained ([Numbers 36:7](/numbers/36-7 "Numbers 36:7 - Land Shall Not Transfer from Tribe to Tribe")). Finally, the episode illustrates **God's Meticulous Governance and Provision**, as He provides detailed and nuanced laws to address complex social issues, ensuring order, stability, and the long-term well-being of the Israelite community as they transition from wilderness wandering to settled life in the promised land (e.g., [Numbers 33:54](/numbers/33-54 "Numbers 33:54 - Land Divided by Lot and Family Size")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tsavah_):** This verb signifies a direct, authoritative instruction or injunction, often from a superior to a subordinate. When used of God, as here, it denotes a divine edict that carries absolute authority and demands unquestioning obedience. It implies a specific, often detailed, directive rather than a general principle, emphasizing the precise nature of the instruction given to Moses and subsequently to the daughters.
* **So did (Hebrew, _asu_):** This verb, derived from the root meaning "to do" or "to make," here indicates the precise and immediate execution of the command. The phrasing "so did" highlights a perfect correspondence between the divine instruction and the human action. It conveys not merely compliance, but a faithful and exact fulfillment, leaving no room for deviation or partial obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even as the LORD commanded Moses,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the instruction. It reiterates that the command was not a human invention or a mere suggestion, but a direct utterance from Yahweh Himself, conveyed through His chosen mediator, Moses. This emphasizes the absolute weight and binding nature of the directive, setting the standard for the expected response.
* **"so did the daughters of Zelophehad:"**: This concluding clause declares the immediate, complete, and faithful obedience of the five sisters. The conjunction "so" (כֵּן, _ken_) creates a direct parallel and affirmation, confirming that their actions perfectly mirrored the divine will. It signifies not only their compliance but also their trust and submission to God's wisdom, even when the command placed specific restrictions on their personal choices (i.e., whom they could marry).

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Parallelism** to underscore the perfect alignment between divine will and human action: "Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad." This structure creates a sense of completion and harmony, emphasizing the ideal outcome of God's revealed will being faithfully executed. The **Brevity** and **Conciseness** of the statement are also significant; in just a few words, the text powerfully conveys the essence of obedience, bringing a complex legal narrative to a succinct and satisfying resolution. This **Resolution** acts as a narrative device, providing closure to the detailed discussions about inheritance and tribal integrity, affirming the success of God's law in maintaining order and justice within the community. The simple, direct declaration serves as a powerful testament to the daughters' exemplary faith and submission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The obedience of Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 36:10 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine law and human faithfulness. Their willingness to abide by a specific, restrictive command, even after having successfully advocated for their rights, demonstrates a deep trust in God's overarching wisdom and justice. It underscores that true freedom and blessing within the covenant community are found not in asserting individual autonomy against divine decree, but in aligning one's life with God's revealed will, which always aims for the greater good and the flourishing of His people. This act of obedience secured their inheritance, preserved tribal integrity, and glorified God's meticulous care for His covenant people.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Joshua 11:15](/joshua/11-15 "Joshua 11:15 - Joshua's Obedience to Moses' Commands")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The exemplary obedience of Zelophehad's daughters offers a timeless lesson for believers today. In a world that often champions individual rights and personal desires above all else, their story reminds us that true flourishing often comes through humble submission to God's revealed will. Their initial boldness in seeking justice was commendable, but their subsequent willingness to accept a limiting condition for the sake of the community's order and God's larger plan is equally, if not more, profound. It challenges us to consider whether our pursuit of personal blessings is tempered by a commitment to the well-being of the broader community of faith and a trust in God's sovereign wisdom, even when His commands seem restrictive or counter-cultural. Their story invites us to reflect on the balance between advocating for justice and humbly obeying divine directives, recognizing that God's ways are always for our ultimate good and the establishment of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to a deeper, more precise obedience to God's commands, even if they seem restrictive or inconvenient?**
* **How does the story of Zelophehad's daughters challenge my understanding of personal rights versus communal responsibility within the body of Christ?**
* **What does their trust in God's provision, despite the specific conditions, teach me about trusting God's wisdom in my own circumstances?**
* **How can my obedience, like theirs, contribute to the order, integrity, and witness of God's people in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the daughters of Zelophehad to marry within their own tribe?**

Answer: The command for the daughters of Zelophehad to marry within their own tribe was crucial for maintaining the integrity of the tribal land allocations in Israel. According to God's law, the land was a perpetual inheritance, divided by lot among the tribes and clans (see [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Allocation of Land by Lot")). If one of Zelophehad's daughters, having inherited land, married a man from a different tribe, her inherited land would then pass into her husband's tribal possession upon the Jubilee year (as explained in [Numbers 36:4](/numbers/36-4 "Numbers 36:4 - Land Transfer in Jubilee Year")). This would effectively diminish the inheritance of her birth tribe (Manasseh) and increase that of her husband's tribe, disrupting the divinely ordained boundaries and balance of land distribution. The command in [Numbers 36:6-7](/numbers/36-6 "Numbers 36:6-7 - Command to Marry Within Their Tribe") was therefore a specific measure to prevent the transfer of land between tribes, ensuring that each tribe's allocated inheritance remained intact for future generations, thus preserving their identity and economic stability within the promised land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Zelophehad's daughters and their faithful obedience, culminating in [Numbers 36:10](/numbers/36-10 "Numbers 36:10 - The Daughters' Obedience"), finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. While the daughters secured a physical inheritance of land through their obedience to a specific law, Christ secures for believers an eternal, spiritual inheritance that transcends earthly boundaries and tribal divisions. Just as the daughters' inheritance was preserved through their adherence to God's command regarding marriage within their tribe, our inheritance in Christ is secured through His perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the ultimate Heir, and through faith in Him, we become co-heirs with Him, receiving an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). The meticulous care God showed in preserving the land for the daughters foreshadows His even greater care in providing salvation and eternal life through Christ, ensuring that all who are "in Christ" are grafted into the true spiritual family of God, receiving an inheritance not bound by lineage or geography, but by grace through faith (cf. [Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Our obedience, then, is not to earn an inheritance, but a grateful response to the One who has already secured it for us through His own perfect obedience and sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Exodus 39:42

According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.

Exodus 39:43

And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

Leviticus 24:23

And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

2 Chronicles 30:12

Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.