Numbers 36:5

Context

Numbers 36:5 is a pivotal verse that concludes a significant legal discussion regarding tribal land inheritance in ancient Israel. The narrative leading up to this verse begins with the case of Zelophehad’s daughters (from the tribe of Manasseh, a subdivision of the tribe of Joseph) who, having no brothers, sought to inherit their father's land. This request was initially granted by God through Moses, establishing a precedent for female inheritance when no male heirs existed (Numbers 27:7). However, this new law raised a concern among the heads of the fathers' houses of Gilead, from the tribe of Manasseh, as detailed in Numbers 36:1-4. Their worry was that if Zelophehad's daughters married men from other tribes, their inherited land would transfer out of Manasseh's tribal possession during the Jubilee year, thus diminishing their permanent tribal allocation. Moses' response in this verse, affirming that "The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well," signifies divine approval of their concern and the subsequent solution.

Key Themes

• Divine Wisdom and Guidance: The phrase "according to the word of the LORD" is crucial, emphasizing that this resolution was not merely a human legislative compromise but a divinely inspired and ratified command. It highlights God's active involvement in establishing just and orderly laws for His people, demonstrating His meticulous care for the details of their societal structure and land distribution in the promised land.
• Preservation of Tribal Inheritance: A core principle for Israel's identity and stability was the permanent allocation of land to each tribe and family. This verse, by affirming the Manasseh elders' concern, underscores the importance of preventing the alienation of tribal lands. The subsequent ruling (Numbers 36:6-9) ensures that daughters inheriting land must marry within their own tribe, thereby preserving the integrity of the tribal inheritance and preventing land from moving from one tribe to another.
• Balancing Justice and Order: This ruling demonstrates God's concern for both individual justice (the right of Zelophehad's daughters to inherit, as established in Numbers 27:7) and the overarching communal order and stability of the tribal system. The solution provided ensures fairness to the individual while maintaining the structural integrity of the nation's land distribution.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated as "hath said well" is ken dibberu (כֵּן דִּבְּרוּ), which literally means "they have spoken rightly" or "they have spoken truly." This conveys strong divine approval and affirmation of the Manasseh elders' concern and the wisdom of their proposal. It indicates that their assessment of the potential problem and their suggested solution were aligned with God's will for the preservation of tribal boundaries and the overall order of Israel.

Practical Application

Numbers 36:5 offers insight into God's meticulous care for His people's well-being and the establishment of just laws. It reminds us that divine wisdom can provide solutions that honor both individual needs and communal stability. In our own lives and communities, this verse encourages us to seek wisdom and guidance in resolving complex issues, striving for solutions that are both equitable and maintain the integrity of established order. It highlights the importance of thoughtful consideration and the pursuit of justice and order in all our dealings, trusting that God's principles provide the best framework for societal harmony.