Numbers 36:8

KJV

And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.

KJV (with Strong's)

And every daughter {H1323}, that possesseth {H3423} an inheritance {H5159} in any tribe {H4294} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, shall be wife {H802} unto one {H259} of the family {H4940} of the tribe {H4294} of her father {H1}, that the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} may enjoy {H3423} every man {H376} the inheritance {H5159} of his fathers {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Isra'el is to become the wife of someone from the family of her father's tribe, so that every one of the people of Isra'el will stay in possession of his ancestors' inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible

Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers.

American Standard Version

And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 36:8 presents a crucial legal decree established at the close of Israel's wilderness wanderings, designed to safeguard the integrity of tribal land inheritances within the Promised Land. This statute, a direct consequence of the unique case of Zelophehad's daughters, mandates that any daughter who inherits property must marry within her father's tribe and clan. The overarching purpose is to prevent the transfer of divinely allotted land from one tribe to another, thereby preserving the distinct boundaries and patrimonial legacies established by God for each Israelite family and tribe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 36:8 concludes a significant legal discussion initiated in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Petition"). In that earlier chapter, the daughters of Zelophehad, whose father had died without sons, successfully petitioned Moses for the right to inherit their father's land. This ruling was groundbreaking, affirming a woman's right to inheritance in a patriarchal society. However, it presented a potential problem: if these heiresses married outside their tribe, their inherited land would eventually pass to the husband's tribe, disrupting the divinely ordained tribal land distribution. [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - Law Concerning Heiresses") directly addresses this potential loophole, providing a necessary addendum to the previous ruling to ensure that inherited land remained perpetually within its original tribal allocation. This chapter, therefore, serves as a final, meticulous detail in the legal preparations for Israel's entry into and settlement of Canaan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the land inheritance system.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite society was fundamentally agrarian, with land serving as the primary source of wealth, identity, and security. The allocation of land to each tribe and family was not merely an economic arrangement but a fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Inheritance laws were therefore paramount, typically following a patrilineal system where land passed from father to son. The concept of a permanent, inalienable tribal inheritance was deeply ingrained, reinforced by laws such as the Jubilee year (see [Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Year of Jubilee")) which ensured land returned to its original family. Marriage customs generally involved a woman leaving her father's household to join her husband's, but in the unique case of an heiress, this posed a direct threat to the tribal land boundaries established by God (as detailed in [Joshua 13-19](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13 - Division of the Land")). Numbers 36:8 provides a specific legal solution to reconcile the individual right of inheritance with the communal necessity of preserving tribal land integrity.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Numbers 36:8 is the **preservation of tribal inheritance and identity**. God's meticulous planning for the settlement of the Promised Land ensured that each tribe and family received a specific, permanent allotment. This law underscores the sacredness of this divinely apportioned land, which was not to be alienated from its original tribal designation. It also highlights the theme of **divine order and justice**, demonstrating God's concern for both individual rights (as seen in the ruling for Zelophehad's daughters in [Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "Numbers 27:7 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Right to Inherit")) and the collective well-being and stability of the Israelite nation. The law balances these two aspects, allowing daughters to inherit while simultaneously imposing a responsibility to protect the tribal patrimony. Furthermore, it speaks to the theme of **stewardship**, reminding the Israelites that the land was a gift from God, to be managed responsibly for future generations and in accordance with His divine purposes, ensuring that "every man the inheritance of his fathers" (Numbers 36:8) would remain intact.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _naḥălâ'_):** This term, appearing frequently in Numbers, signifies a possession or heritage, most often referring to land or property received as a permanent, inalienable gift, particularly from God. In the context of Numbers 36:8, _naḥălâ_ emphasizes the divinely allotted land that was to be passed down through generations within the same tribal boundaries. It underscores the concept of the land as a sacred trust, a tangible expression of God's covenant faithfulness and a foundational element of Israel's identity and future.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _sheveṭ'_):** Literally meaning "rod" or "staff," _sheveṭ_ refers to the twelve divisions of Israel, each descended from one of Jacob's sons. The tribe was the primary social and political unit, and its land allotment was fundamental to its existence and identity. The law in Numbers 36:8 highlights the critical importance of maintaining the distinct boundaries and integrity of each _sheveṭ_, preventing the dilution or transfer of its God-given territory.
* **Family (Hebrew, _mišpāḥâ'_):** This term denotes a clan or extended family unit within a tribe. The law specifies marriage within "the family of the tribe of her father," indicating a more localized and specific requirement than merely marrying within the broader tribe. This precision underscores the meticulous care taken to ensure that the land remained within the immediate lineage and ancestral heritage, reinforcing the deep connection between land, lineage, and identity in ancient Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father,"**: This clause sets the condition and the requirement. It identifies the specific group of women to whom the law applies: daughters who have inherited land. It then stipulates that such a daughter "shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father." This means she must marry a man who belongs not just to her broader tribe, but specifically to a family or clan within her own tribe. This precise stipulation ensures that the inherited land, upon her marriage and subsequent death, would remain within the ancestral land boundaries of her birth tribe and even her specific clan.
* **"that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers."**: This clause provides the rationale and overarching purpose of the law. The phrase "that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers" clarifies that the law's intent is to preserve the original, divinely ordained distribution of land. It emphasizes the importance of each family and tribe retaining its specific patrimony, ensuring the long-term stability, identity, and economic viability of the entire nation according to God's design. This was crucial for the fulfillment of God's promises regarding the land.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 36:8, as part of a legal text, primarily employs **Declarative Language** and **Legal Formulation**, characteristic of Mosaic law. The verse is a straightforward, unambiguous statement of a command, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding its application. It also utilizes **Purpose Clause** ("that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers"), which clearly articulates the divine intent behind the specific legal requirement. This teleological statement provides a theological justification for the seemingly restrictive marriage rule, framing it as essential for the communal good and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises concerning the land. The repetition of "inheritance" and "tribe" throughout the chapter and its preceding contexts serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the paramount importance of these concepts to Israelite identity and the divine plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 36:8, while a specific legal decree, resonates with profound theological themes woven throughout the Old Testament. It underscores God's meticulous care for His people and His commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises, particularly concerning the land of Canaan. The preservation of tribal land boundaries reflects God's desire for order, stability, and justice within the community, ensuring that each family's identity and economic well-being were secured. This law also highlights the concept of **stewardship**: the land was not merely property to be exploited or alienated, but a sacred trust, a divine gift to be managed responsibly and passed down through generations according to God's design. The balance between individual rights (the heiress's right to inherit) and communal good (the preservation of tribal integrity) demonstrates God's holistic approach to justice, where individual liberties are understood within the framework of the broader community's well-being and divine purpose.
* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")
* [Joshua 14:1-5](/joshua/14-1 "Joshua 14:1-5 - Division of the Land by Lot")
* [Ezekiel 47:13-14](/ezekiel/47-13 "Ezekiel 47:13-14 - Future Division of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific legal context of Numbers 36:8 is tied to ancient Israel's unique land inheritance system, the underlying principles offer timeless insights for believers today. This passage reminds us of the importance of **stewardship**—not just of physical resources, but of all the blessings and spiritual gifts God has entrusted to us. We are called to manage our "inheritance" (whether it be our faith, our talents, our relationships, or our material possessions) responsibly, ensuring that it is preserved and utilized for God's glory and the benefit of future generations, rather than being squandered or alienated. The emphasis on maintaining boundaries and identity within the tribes can be spiritually applied to the church, reminding us of the importance of preserving the distinct identity of the body of Christ and the integrity of sound doctrine. Furthermore, the law beautifully illustrates God's meticulous care for the practical details of His people's lives, assuring us that He is concerned with every aspect of our existence and provides wisdom for navigating complex situations, balancing individual freedom with communal responsibility for the greater good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "inheritances" (spiritual, relational, material) has God entrusted to me, and how am I stewarding them for His glory and for future generations?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "transfer" my spiritual inheritance (e.g., compromising my faith, neglecting spiritual disciplines) outside the "boundaries" God has set for my life?**
* **How can I better balance my individual desires and freedoms with the well-being and integrity of the broader community of faith (the church)?**
* **What does God's detailed concern for tribal land laws in ancient Israel teach me about His care for the seemingly "small" details of my own life?**

### FAQ
**Was this law discriminatory against women, limiting their marriage choices?**

Answer: While on the surface it appears to limit a woman's marriage choice, this law must be understood within its specific historical and legal context. It was not a general restriction on marriage for all women but applied only to heiresses who had inherited land. The law in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Petition") was progressive for its time, granting women the right to inherit property in the absence of male heirs. Numbers 36:8 was a necessary addendum to that ruling, designed to prevent a loophole that would undermine the divinely ordained tribal land distribution. It balanced the individual right of inheritance with the communal necessity of preserving tribal identity and land integrity. Therefore, it was a practical solution to a unique legal challenge, ensuring that the land, a sacred trust from God, remained within its designated tribal boundaries.

**Is this law still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: The literal application of Numbers 36:8 is specific to the ancient Israelite land inheritance system and does not directly apply to Christians today. However, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. It teaches us about God's meticulous concern for order and justice, His emphasis on stewardship of resources (spiritual and material), and the importance of preserving identity and boundaries. The law illustrates the biblical principle of balancing individual rights with communal responsibility, a lesson vital for the health of any community, including the church. It also highlights the sacredness of God's gifts and the importance of managing them wisely for future generations, preventing their "alienation" from their intended purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 36:8, with its intricate details concerning earthly inheritance and the preservation of tribal land, ultimately points to a greater, heavenly inheritance found in Christ. The Promised Land, with its meticulously divided portions, served as a tangible, albeit temporary, fulfillment of God's covenant promises and a shadow of the ultimate "rest" and "inheritance" that believers receive in Christ. Just as the Israelites were to diligently guard their physical inheritance, believers are called to guard their spiritual inheritance in Christ. The preservation of tribal lineage, so crucial to the land laws, foreshadows the meticulous preservation of the lineage of Jesus, through whom the ultimate inheritance is secured (see [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus")). In the New Covenant, our inheritance is not a plot of land but eternal life, reconciliation with God, and participation in His kingdom, all secured through the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). We are now "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")), inheriting "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")). Thus, the earthly law in Numbers 36:8, designed to prevent the alienation of land, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who ensures that our true, eternal inheritance can never be lost or transferred, but is eternally secured in Him.

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

1 Chronicles 23:22

And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.