Numbers 36:2

And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.

And they said {H559}, The LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} my lord {H113} to give {H5414} the land {H776} for an inheritance {H5159} by lot {H1486} to the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}: and my lord {H113} was commanded {H6680} by the LORD {H3068} to give {H5414} the inheritance {H5159} of Zelophehad {H6765} our brother {H251} unto his daughters {H1323}.

They said, "ADONAI ordered my lord to give by lot the land to be inherited by the people of Isra'el, and my lord was ordered by ADONAI to give the inheritance of our kinsman Tz'lof'chad to his daughters.

saying, “When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, He also commanded him to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.

and they said, Jehovah commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by Jehovah to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.

Commentary

Numbers 36:2 KJV is a pivotal verse within the discussion of Israelite inheritance laws, specifically addressing the unique case of Zelophehad's daughters. It records the appeal made by the heads of the families of Gilead, descendants of Machir, son of Manasseh, to Moses and the leaders of Israel.

Context

This verse comes as a direct follow-up to the divine ruling in Numbers 27, where the LORD commanded that Zelophehad's daughters, having no brothers, should indeed receive an inheritance among their father's brethren. The concern raised in Numbers 36, and specifically in verse 2, is the potential loss of this inherited land from their ancestral tribe (Manasseh) if these daughters were to marry outside of it. The tribal leaders present their understanding of two divine commands:

  1. The general command for land distribution by lot to all the children of Israel.
  2. The specific command to give Zelophehad's inheritance to his daughters.

They articulate their worry that if the daughters marry into another tribe, their inheritance would be transferred upon the Year of Jubilee, thus diminishing their own tribe's allotted land, a matter of significant concern for the preservation of tribal identity and boundaries.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority in Law: The verse explicitly states, "The LORD commanded my lord," emphasizing that both the general land distribution and the specific ruling for Zelophehad's daughters originated from God Himself. This underscores the divine foundation of Israelite law and justice.
  • Inheritance and Land Ownership: Central to the narrative is the concept of land as a perpetual inheritance within the family and tribe, designed to remain intact across generations. This system was crucial for maintaining the tribal structure and identity in the Promised Land.
  • Preservation of Tribal Integrity: The core concern of the Gileadites was the integrity of their tribal boundaries and the preservation of their inheritance. The proposed solution later in the chapter (requiring the daughters to marry within their own tribe, as seen in Numbers 36:6) highlights the importance God placed on maintaining the distinct tribal allocations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "my lord" (Hebrew: adonai) refers to Moses, acknowledging his position as God's chosen leader and mediator of the law. The phrase "by lot" (Hebrew: begoral) signifies the method of land division, which was understood not as mere chance but as a divine determination, reflecting God's sovereign will in allocating territories to each tribe and family.

Practical Application

Numbers 36:2 reminds us that God is a God of order and justice, even in matters of property and inheritance. It demonstrates how divine laws were designed not only for individual benefit but also for the well-being and stability of the entire community. For believers today, it encourages a thoughtful approach to our resources and responsibilities, recognizing that all we have is ultimately from God. It also illustrates the importance of seeking divine wisdom and guidance, like Moses did, when faced with complex legal or ethical dilemmas, ensuring that justice and order prevail in our lives and communities.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 27:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 27:7 (3 votes)

    The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

  • Numbers 33:54 (3 votes)

    And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: [and] to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's [inheritance] shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.

  • Joshua 17:3 (3 votes)

    But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these [are] the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

  • Joshua 17:6 (3 votes)

    Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead.

  • Numbers 26:55 (2 votes)

    Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

  • Numbers 26:56 (2 votes)

    According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.