Numbers 36

Chap. XXXVI. Ver. 1—13. Of the marriage of heiresses.— that breatheth,” &c. ((Deuteronomy 20:10-18).): ’ That this utter destruction was to take place only in cases of obstinate roand would reduce to one common blank all universal history, prior to the present age

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXXVI. Ver. 2.. The Lord commanded.—[To one division of the tribe of Manasseh, a portion had been assigned eastward of Jordan; but Zelophehad was of that division, to which an inheritance was afterward allotted west of Jordan; yet, expecting the promised land, the elders of the Manassites now propose a difficulty, upon the adjudged case of Zelophehad’s daughters. (ch. xxvii. 1—11.) If the females should inherit, in defect of male issue, and should splein [marry] into other tribes, they would diminish the interest, and weaken the influence of their own tribes, and give occasion to future confusion, and perhaps contention. The Manassites therefore referred the case to Moses; and he, by the authority of God, annexed a clause, which would effectually keep the tribes and inheritances distinct, as long as it was observed.

Heiresses were not allowed to marry out of their own tribe, though within those bounds they might consult their own inclinations.]—Bagster. Ver. 7. Every one of the children.—i.e. he shall not endeavour to obtain any part of the inheritance of another tribe by marrying an heiress. Plato also enacted, that when a man left only a daughter, his estate should not be carried by her to a stranger, but she should be bound to marry one who was nearest of kin; in defect of which, it should descend to the children of her father’s brother, or the children of her grandfather, some of whom were to marry her.]—Bagster.