Numbers 36:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For Mahlah {H4244}, Tirzah {H8656}, and Hoglah {H2295}, and Milcah {H4435}, and Noah {H5270}, the daughters {H1323} of Zelophehad {H6765}, were married {H802} unto their father's {H1730} brothers' sons {H1121}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Machlah, Tirtzah, Hoglah, Milkah and No'ah all got married to sons of their father's brothers.

Berean Standard Bible

Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to cousins on their father’s side.

American Standard Version

for Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father’s brothers’ sons.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 36:11 records the faithful obedience of the daughters of Zelophehad, Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, who married their paternal cousins as commanded by God through Moses. This act ensured that the unique inheritance granted to them, due to their father's lack of male heirs, remained securely within their ancestral tribe of Manasseh, thereby preserving the integrity of the tribal land allotments in the Promised Land and bringing a complex legal and theological narrative to a divinely ordained resolution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 36:11 serves as the conclusive verse to a significant legal and social narrative that begins in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Petition"). In [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - Inheritance for Daughters"), the five daughters of Zelophehad, whose father died without sons, boldly petition Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders for an inheritance in the Promised Land. God, through Moses, grants their request, establishing a groundbreaking legal precedent that allowed daughters to inherit in the absence of male heirs, thus preserving the family name and legacy. However, this precedent raised a new concern among the tribal leaders of Manasseh, as detailed in [Numbers 36:1-4](/numbers/36-1 "Numbers 36:1-4 - Tribal Leaders' Concern Regarding Inheritance"). They feared that if these daughters married men from other tribes, their inherited land would transfer, diminishing the tribal allotment of Manasseh. Numbers 36:5-9 records God's subsequent decree, instructing that while the daughters could marry anyone they chose, they must marry within their own tribe, specifically "only to the family of the tribe of their father" ([Numbers 36:6](/numbers/36-6 "Numbers 36:6 - God's Instruction on Marriage for Inheritance")). Numbers 36:10-12 then confirms the daughters' faithful adherence to this command, culminating in the fulfillment stated in verse 11.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society was largely patriarchal, with inheritance typically passing through the male line to ensure the continuity of family lineage and land ownership. Land was not merely property; it was a sacred trust, a divine gift, and a foundational element of tribal identity and economic stability. The division of the land by lot, as described in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Division of Land by Lot"), was seen as divinely ordained, and maintaining the integrity of these tribal boundaries was paramount. The concern of the Manassite leaders was legitimate within this framework, as land transfer between tribes could disrupt the divinely established order and weaken their tribal inheritance. The ruling for Zelophehad's daughters, and the subsequent marriage restriction, demonstrates a unique divine intervention that balanced individual rights (the daughters' right to inheritance) with communal and national stability (the preservation of tribal land allotments). Cousin marriage, particularly with paternal cousins, was a common practice in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, often serving to keep property and lineage within the extended family.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding Zelophehad's daughters, culminating in this verse, highlights several significant themes. First is the **Preservation of Inheritance and Tribal Land**. The land was a perpetual inheritance, not to be permanently alienated from its tribal and family allocation, reflecting the principle that the "land is mine" ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). This entire legal saga underscores the meticulous care God took in establishing and maintaining the boundaries of the Promised Land for each tribe. Second is **Divine Justice and Wisdom**. God's initial ruling in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - Zelophehad's Daughters") demonstrates His compassion and justice for individuals, even those in a vulnerable social position, by granting them an unprecedented right. His subsequent ruling in [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - Marriage Restrictions for Inheritance") showcases His profound wisdom in resolving potential conflicts between individual rights and the broader communal good, ensuring both justice for the daughters and the stability of the tribal land system. Third is **Obedience and Faithfulness**. The daughters of Zelophehad, having received an extraordinary favor, demonstrate exemplary obedience to God's subsequent, more restrictive command regarding their marriages. Their faithful adherence to the divine instruction ensures the long-term stability of the land distribution and serves as a powerful example of trust in God's provision and guidance, even when it required personal sacrifice or limitation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Daughters of Zelophehad (Hebrew, _b'not Tzelophchad_):** This phrase, repeated throughout the narrative (e.g., [Numbers 27:1](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1 - Daughters of Zelophehad"), [Numbers 36:1](/numbers/36-1 "Numbers 36:1 - Daughters of Zelophehad")), emphasizes the collective identity and agency of these five women. Their names—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah—are specifically listed, highlighting their individual identities within the collective, and underscoring the personal nature of God's justice and the fulfillment of His word concerning them. Their persistence and God's response set a precedent that transcended typical patriarchal norms.
* **Married (Hebrew, _vattihyeynah l'nashim_):** The verb used here literally means "and they became wives." This signifies not merely a casual union but a formal, legally recognized act of marriage. In the context of this passage, it represents the complete and public fulfillment of the divine command given in [Numbers 36:6](/numbers/36-6 "Numbers 36:6 - God's Command for Marriage"), ensuring the legal transfer and secure retention of the inherited land within the specified tribal boundaries. The act of becoming wives to their cousins cemented the legal resolution of the inheritance dispute.
* **Father's brothers' sons (Hebrew, _b'nei dodeihen_):** This specific phrase, meaning "sons of their uncles" or "their cousins," precisely identifies the chosen husbands. This was not just any marriage within the tribe, but specifically within their immediate paternal clan, reinforcing the goal of keeping the inheritance as close as possible to the original family line. This detail underscores the meticulous nature of the divine command and the daughters' precise obedience, ensuring the land remained within the family of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad,"**: This opening clause reiterates the names of the five sisters, underscoring their prominence in this legal narrative and confirming that all five, not just some, complied with the divine directive. The repetition of their names throughout Numbers 27 and 36 serves to highlight their unique situation and the significant precedent set by their case. It reminds the reader of the specific individuals for whom God intervened and legislated, emphasizing His attention to individual justice within the broader communal framework.
* **"were married unto their father's brothers' sons:"**: This concluding clause declares the fulfillment of the divine command given in [Numbers 36:6](/numbers/36-6 "Numbers 36:6 - God's Command for Marriage"). By marrying their paternal cousins, the daughters ensured that their inherited land remained within the tribal allotment of Manasseh and, more specifically, within their ancestral clan. This act resolved the tribal leaders' concern (articulated in [Numbers 36:3](/numbers/36-3 "Numbers 36:3 - Tribal Leaders' Concern")) and brought the entire legal narrative to a divinely sanctioned and harmonious conclusion, demonstrating the daughters' faithfulness and God's sovereign oversight of Israel's land distribution.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several key literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly the repeated mention of the daughters' names and the central legal issue of inheritance, which serves to emphasize the significance of their case and the divine attention given to it. The narrative arc, spanning [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters' Petition") and [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - The Resolution"), demonstrates **Fulfillment** and **Resolution**, as the initial petition and subsequent divine decrees are brought to a complete and satisfactory conclusion in this verse. The meticulous detail regarding the specific familial relationship of their husbands ("father's brothers' sons") highlights **Legal Precision**, characteristic of the Mosaic Law, underscoring the exactitude required in matters of land and lineage. This precision reinforces the divine wisdom in crafting laws that address complex social and economic realities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 36:11 provides a powerful illustration of God's meticulous care for His people, extending His justice and wisdom even to the intricacies of land inheritance and family structure. It reveals a God who hears the cries of the vulnerable, establishes equitable laws, and ensures the integrity of His covenant promises, particularly concerning the Promised Land. The daughters' obedience underscores the importance of trusting and following divine guidance, even when it involves personal limitations, for the greater good of the community and the preservation of God's established order. This passage subtly points to the broader theological truth that all inheritance, whether material or spiritual, ultimately flows from God's sovereign hand and is to be stewarded according to His will.

* [Deuteronomy 21:15-17](/deuteronomy/21-15 "Deuteronomy 21:15-17 - Inheritance Laws for Sons")
* [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4-1 "Ruth 4:1-12 - Boaz as Kinsman-Redeemer")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "Acts 17:26 - God Determines Boundaries")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 36:11, while rooted in ancient Israelite land law, offers profound principles for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider how God's justice operates in our world, balancing individual rights with the well-being of the community. Just as God ensured the daughters received their due inheritance while also preserving tribal integrity, we are called to seek equitable solutions in our own spheres of influence, advocating for the vulnerable while upholding communal harmony. The daughters' obedience in marrying within their clan, despite having been granted an unprecedented right, serves as a powerful reminder of faithful stewardship. What "inheritances"—be they material resources, spiritual gifts, relational networks, or even our very lives—has God entrusted to us? Are we stewarding them wisely, considering not only our immediate desires but also the long-term impact on our families, communities, and the broader Kingdom of God? This passage encourages us to discern and obey God's specific instructions for our lives, recognizing that true freedom often lies within the boundaries of His wise and loving commands, leading to flourishing for ourselves and those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's balancing of individual rights (the daughters' inheritance) and communal good (tribal land integrity) in this passage inform our approach to justice and community in today's world?**
* **What "inheritances" (spiritual gifts, material resources, relational influence, personal calling) has God entrusted to me, and how am I demonstrating faithful stewardship of them?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to a specific act of obedience or self-limitation for the sake of a greater, divinely ordained purpose, similar to the daughters' marriage choices?**

### FAQ

**Why was this marriage requirement so important for the daughters of Zelophehad?**

Answer: The marriage requirement was crucial for two primary reasons, both deeply rooted in ancient Israelite law and culture. First, it directly addressed the concern of the tribal leaders of Manasseh, who feared that if the daughters married outside their tribe, their inherited land would transfer to the new tribe, thereby diminishing Manasseh's divinely allotted portion of the Promised Land ([Numbers 36:1-4](/numbers/36-1 "Numbers 36:1-4 - Tribal Leaders' Concern")). Second, it upheld the fundamental principle of maintaining the integrity of tribal land boundaries, which were considered a sacred trust and a perpetual inheritance from God ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")). By marrying their paternal cousins, the daughters ensured that their unique inheritance remained within their ancestral clan and tribe, thus preserving both their family's legacy and the divinely established land distribution.

**Does this passage imply that believers today should only marry within their extended family or tribe?**

Answer: No, this passage does not imply that believers today should only marry within their extended family or tribe. The specific instruction given to the daughters of Zelophehad was a unique, divinely ordained command tied to the very specific context of the division and preservation of tribal land in ancient Israel. It was a legal solution to a particular inheritance dilemma, not a universal marriage law for all time. While the Bible does instruct believers to marry "in the Lord" ([1 Corinthians 7:39](/1_corinthians/7-39 "1 Corinthians 7:39 - Marry in the Lord")), meaning to marry another believer, the tribal and land-based restrictions of Numbers 36 are not applicable to the New Covenant church. The enduring principles from this passage for us are themes of obedience to God's specific commands, faithful stewardship of what God has given us, and seeking the good of the community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 36:11, while detailing an ancient legal resolution concerning land inheritance, subtly points toward the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The meticulous care God took to ensure the preservation of an earthly inheritance foreshadows the far greater spiritual inheritance secured for believers in Christ. Just as the daughters of Zelophehad had a right to an inheritance, yet were bound by specific conditions to preserve it, so too do believers receive 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")). This inheritance is not tied to earthly land or human lineage but is granted through faith in Christ, who is the ultimate "heir of all things" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")) and through whom we become "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The careful preservation of the Manassite tribal land finds its spiritual parallel in Christ's work, where He, as the Kinsman-Redeemer, not only secures our spiritual inheritance but also ensures its eternal preservation, bringing us into the family of God not by birthright but by grace through faith ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). He is the true and lasting inheritance, and in Him, all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), providing a spiritual legacy that transcends all earthly boundaries and legal stipulations.

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

Numbers 27:1

¶ 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.

Numbers 26:33

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.