Numbers 36:6

Numbers 36:6 presents a specific divine command regarding the marriage of the daughters of Zelophehad, ensuring the preservation of tribal land inheritance within Israel. This verse clarifies a unique legal situation that arose concerning the division of the promised land.

Context

This verse concludes a series of regulations concerning the tribal inheritance in Israel. The story begins in Numbers 27, where Zelophehad's five daughters (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah) approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders, requesting an inheritance of land because their father had died without sons. The Lord commanded that their request be granted, establishing a precedent that daughters could inherit when there were no sons (Numbers 27:7).

However, this ruling created a new problem for the tribe of Manasseh (Zelophehad's tribe). The heads of the families of the tribe of Manasseh approached Moses in Numbers 36:1-3, concerned that if Zelophehad's daughters married men from other Israelite tribes, their inherited land would transfer to the tribe of their husbands, thus diminishing Manasseh's tribal portion, especially during the Jubilee year when all land returned to its original tribal owner.

Numbers 36:6 is God's direct response to this concern, a divine compromise that upholds both the daughters' right to inherit and the integrity of the tribal land boundaries established by God for the land of Canaan.

Key Themes

• Preservation of Inheritance: The primary concern of this law is to ensure that the land allocated to each tribe and family remains within its designated boundaries. This was crucial for maintaining the divine order and the identity of each tribal lineage in Israel.
• Divine Wisdom and Justice: God provides a balanced solution that respects the individual rights of Zelophehad's daughters to choose their spouses while also safeguarding the communal and tribal inheritance, demonstrating God's meticulous care for order and fairness.
• God's Sovereignty in Law: The phrase "This is the thing which the LORD doth command" emphasizes that this specific ruling comes directly from God, highlighting His authority over all aspects of Israelite life, including marriage and property.
• Balancing Freedom and Responsibility: The daughters are given freedom to marry "to whom they think best," but this freedom is bounded by the responsibility to preserve their tribal heritage, illustrating a biblical principle of responsible liberty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD doth command" (Hebrew: יְהוָה צִוָּה, YHWH tzivah) underscores the divine origin and binding nature of this decree. It is not merely a suggestion or a human decision but a direct instruction from God. The stipulation "only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry" is very precise, indicating that marriage outside their immediate tribe would violate the divine intent for land distribution.

Practical Application

While the specific context of tribal land inheritance is unique to ancient Israel, the principles embedded in Numbers 36:6 offer enduring insights:

• Wise Decision-Making in Marriage: The verse reminds us that significant life choices, like marriage, have far-reaching consequences not just for individuals but also for families and communities. It encourages thoughtful consideration of how our choices align with God's purposes and principles.
• Stewardship of Heritage: The emphasis on preserving tribal inheritance can be applied today to the concept of stewardship—managing and protecting what God has entrusted to us, whether it be family values, spiritual heritage, or material resources.
• God's Care for Details: This detailed command shows God's concern for the practicalities of life and His willingness to provide specific guidance for complex situations. It reassures us that God cares about the "details" of our lives and desires order and justice. For us, this means seeking His guidance in all our ways, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:6.