Numbers 36:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if they be married {H802} to any {H259} of the sons {H1121} of the other tribes {H7626} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, then shall their inheritance {H5159} be taken {H1639} from the inheritance {H5159} of our fathers {H1}, and shall be put {H3254} to the inheritance {H5159} of the tribe {H4294} whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken {H1639} from the lot {H1486} of our inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if they get married to anyone belonging to another of the tribes of the people of Isra'el, then their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our ancestors and be added to the inheritance of the tribe they will then belong to; thus it will be taken away from the sum total of our inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible

But if they marry any of the men from the other tribes of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the portion of our fathers and added to the tribe into which they marry. So our allotted inheritance would be taken away.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 36:3 addresses a crucial legal provision concerning land inheritance within ancient Israel, specifically for daughters who inherited land in the absence of sons. This verse stipulates that if such daughters married outside their ancestral tribe, their inherited land would transfer to the tribe of their husbands, thereby diminishing the original tribe's allotted portion. The law was designed to prevent the fragmentation and redistribution of tribal territories, ensuring the perpetual preservation of the divinely ordained land boundaries established for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 36:3 is situated within the final chapters of the book of Numbers, which detail the preparations for Israel's entry into the Promised Land, including the meticulous division of the land among the tribes. This specific verse directly follows the unique case of Zelophehad's daughters (Numbers 27:1-11), who, in an unprecedented ruling, were granted the right to inherit their father's land because he had no sons. The elders of the tribe of Manasseh, to which Zelophehad belonged, subsequently raised a critical concern (Numbers 36:1-2): if these daughters married men from other Israelite tribes, their inheritance would eventually transfer to their husbands' tribes during the Jubilee, thereby diminishing the portion allotted to Manasseh and disrupting the divinely established tribal boundaries. Numbers 36:3, therefore, outlines the legal consequence of such a marriage, providing a solution to preserve the integrity of tribal land. The broader context of Numbers 36 provides a comprehensive legal framework for the long-term stability of the land distribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was far more than mere property; it was intrinsically linked to tribal identity, economic stability, and covenantal blessing. The allocation of land by lot, as described in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot"), was considered a direct act of divine providence, establishing sacred and perpetual boundaries for each tribe. Losing ancestral land meant losing a part of one's heritage, tribal standing, and connection to the covenant promises. Marriage, particularly for women, often determined tribal affiliation for their offspring and, consequently, the lineage of property. This verse highlights the significant socio-economic implications of marriage in Israelite society, demonstrating how personal unions had broader communal consequences for land distribution and the preservation of the divinely ordered tribal structure.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored by this law is the **Preservation of Tribal Inheritance**. God had meticulously divided the land by lot among the twelve tribes, and these boundaries were considered sacred and perpetual. The transfer of land between tribes was seen as a violation of this divine order, which was crucial for maintaining the distinct identity and economic viability of each tribal unit. This concern ties into the broader theme of **Land and Identity**, where the physical possession of ancestral land was foundational to the Israelites' sense of belonging and their covenant relationship with God. Furthermore, the ruling reflects God's concern for **Divine Order and Justice**. While seemingly restrictive, the law balanced the innovative right of women to inherit property (a progressive move for its time, as seen in [Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "Numbers 27:7 - Zelophehad's Daughters' Inheritance Granted")) with the overarching communal need to preserve established tribal boundaries. This showcases God's wisdom in establishing laws that promote order, prevent disputes, and ensure long-term stability for His people, reflecting a holistic view of justice that considers both individual rights and communal well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălāh'_):** This term (נַחֲלָה) is central to the passage and carries profound theological weight. It refers not merely to a piece of property but to a heritage, patrimony, or possession passed down through generations, often specifically denoting the land allotted by God to each tribe and family. It signifies a permanent, divinely-granted endowment, foundational to Israelite identity and covenantal blessing. The repeated use of "inheritance" in the verse emphasizes the deep concern for its preservation.
* **Lot (Hebrew, _gōrāl'_):** The Hebrew word (גּוֹרָל) refers to the portion assigned by casting lots. In the context of land distribution, it highlights the divine and fixed nature of the allocation (cf. [Joshua 14:2](/joshua/14-2 "Joshua 14:2 - Land Divided by Lot")). The land was not acquired by conquest alone but was specifically apportioned by God's sovereign will through this method, making its boundaries sacred and inviolable. The phrase "lot of our inheritance" underscores the divine origin and perpetual nature of the tribal land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if they be married to any of the sons of the [other] tribes of the children of Israel,"**: This clause sets the condition for the subsequent consequence. It addresses the specific scenario where daughters who had inherited land would marry outside their own tribe, an act that, while permissible, carried significant implications for land tenure. The parenthetical "[other]" in the KJV clarifies that the concern is inter-tribal marriage, not simply marriage in general.
* **"then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers,"**: This is the direct consequence of the inter-tribal marriage. The land inherited by the daughters, which was originally part of their father's tribal allotment, would no longer remain within that tribe. This highlights the patrilineal nature of land ownership and tribal affiliation in ancient Israel, where a woman's inheritance would typically merge with her husband's family and tribe.
* **"and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received:"**: This further clarifies the destination of the transferred inheritance. The land would become part of the tribal allotment of the husband's tribe, effectively increasing that tribe's portion at the expense of the original tribe. This directly addresses the concern raised by the elders of Manasseh, who feared the diminishment of their tribal territory.
* **"so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance."**: This concluding phrase reiterates and emphasizes the core problem: the permanent removal of land from the original tribal "lot" or divinely apportioned share. The repetition reinforces the seriousness of the situation and the necessity of the legal provision to maintain the integrity of the tribal boundaries as God had established them.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 36:3 employs several literary devices to convey its legal and theological weight. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, characterized by its precise, conditional structure ("And if... then shall..."). This clear cause-and-effect phrasing is typical of ancient Near Eastern legal codes and highlights the definitive nature of the ruling. **Repetition** is also a key device, particularly the repeated use of "inheritance" and phrases like "shall be taken from the inheritance" and "shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance." This repetition serves to emphasize the central concern of the passage: the preservation of tribal land and the severe consequence of its transfer. The structure of the verse itself demonstrates **Emphasis** by placing the condition first, followed by the explicit, multi-faceted consequences, leaving no ambiguity about the law's intent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The specific ruling in Numbers 36:3, while addressing a unique situation of land inheritance in ancient Israel, resonates with broader theological principles concerning God's sovereignty, order, and justice. The careful preservation of tribal boundaries reflects God's meticulous design for His people and His desire for stability and identity within the community. It underscores the idea that God is a God of order, who establishes clear parameters for the well-being of His creation, whether in the physical distribution of land or the moral framework for human flourishing. This divine concern for maintaining distinct boundaries and ensuring equitable distribution of resources, even in the face of evolving social dynamics, speaks to a deeper principle of stewardship and the careful management of what God has entrusted to humanity. The land, as God's gift, was not to be treated lightly or haphazardly but to be stewarded according to His divine plan, ensuring that future generations would also benefit from their rightful portion.

* [Numbers 36:7](/numbers/36-7 "Numbers 36:7 - General Rule on Tribal Inheritance") - "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."
* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God") - "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me."
* [Ezekiel 47:13-14](/ezekiel/47-13 "Ezekiel 47:13-14 - Future Land Distribution") - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel... And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of tribal land inheritance is unique to ancient Israel, the underlying principles of Numbers 36:3 offer timeless lessons for contemporary believers. This passage reminds us that God values order, boundaries, and the preservation of identity within His community. It challenges us to consider how our individual choices, particularly in relationships and the management of resources, can have ripple effects on the wider community of faith and the legacy we leave. We are called to be faithful stewards of the spiritual and material "inheritance" God has entrusted to us, understanding that these blessings are not merely for personal gain but for the flourishing of the body of Christ and the advancement of God's kingdom. Just as the Israelites were to protect their physical inheritance, we are to guard our spiritual inheritance in Christ, ensuring that our lives reflect the divine order and justice that God desires for His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on preserving tribal boundaries in ancient Israel inform our understanding of the importance of order and clear "boundaries" within the church or our personal lives today?**
* **In what ways are we called to be faithful stewards of the "inheritance" God has given us, whether it be spiritual gifts, financial resources, or relationships?**
* **How do our personal choices, particularly concerning marriage or partnerships, impact the spiritual "inheritance" and well-being of our families and the broader Christian community?**
* **Beyond physical land, what does it mean to have a "spiritual inheritance" in Christ, and how should this understanding shape our priorities and actions?**

### FAQ

**Why was this law necessary, and did it limit women's rights?**

Answer: This law was necessary to prevent the disruption of the divinely ordained tribal land boundaries. God had meticulously allocated land to each tribe by lot, and these boundaries were considered sacred and perpetual. The unique ruling in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - Zelophehad's Daughters") granted Zelophehad's daughters the right to inherit their father's land in the absence of sons, which was a progressive move for its time. However, this created a potential problem: if these daughters married men from other tribes, their inherited land would eventually transfer to their husbands' tribes, diminishing the original tribe's portion. Numbers 36:3 provided a solution to balance the individual right of inheritance for women with the overarching communal need to preserve tribal land integrity. While it placed a restriction on the marriage choices of inheriting daughters (they had to marry within their own tribe, as clarified in [Numbers 36:6](/numbers/36-6 "Numbers 36:6 - Marriage Restriction for Inheriting Daughters")), it was a response to an *already innovative* law, ensuring the long-term stability and identity of the tribal system.

**Does this ancient law about land inheritance apply to Christians today?**

Answer: Directly, the specific legal provisions regarding tribal land inheritance in Numbers 36:3 do not apply to Christians today, as we are not organized into literal tribes with physical land allotments in the Promised Land. However, the underlying principles offer profound spiritual and practical application. The passage highlights God's value for order, stewardship, and the preservation of identity within His community. For believers, this translates to being faithful stewards of the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ (e.g., [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Spiritual Inheritance")), understanding that our individual choices can impact the wider body of Christ, and recognizing the importance of maintaining spiritual "boundaries" that protect our faith and community. It encourages us to live in a way that honors God's established order and contributes to the well-being of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 36:3 deals with the very tangible issue of land inheritance in ancient Israel, its underlying themes point forward to the ultimate inheritance found in Christ. The meticulous care with which God ensured the preservation of tribal land foreshadows the perfect and incorruptible spiritual inheritance believers receive through Jesus. Just as the land was God's gift to Israel, Christ himself is the ultimate gift, and in Him, we receive an inheritance that "can never perish, spoil or fade" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). The concern for maintaining tribal boundaries reflects God's desire for order and belonging, a desire perfectly fulfilled in the Church, the body of Christ, where believers from every "tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed from Every Tribe")) are united in Him, becoming "fellow heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Jesus, the true Son, ensures that the "inheritance" of God's people is not diminished or lost, but rather secured eternally through His atoning work and resurrection, granting us a place in the heavenly kingdom and a share in His glorious reign ([Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12 - Share in the Inheritance of the Saints")). He is the one who upholds the divine order, bringing true justice, belonging, and an eternal dwelling place for all who believe.

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.