Numbers 36

Numbers 36:1-4

We have in this chapter the determination of a question, that arose upon the case of the daughters of Zelopehead. God had appointed that they should inherit, chap., x-vii. 7. Men here, 1. An inconvenience is suggested, in case they should marry into any other tribe, vers. 1—4. 2. It is prevented by a divine appointment, that they should marry in their own tribe and family, vers. 5—7. and this is settled for a rule in like cases, vers. 8, 9. and they did marry accordingly to some of their own relations, vers. 10—12. and with this the book concludes, vers. 13.

1. AND the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manaffeh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel: 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 Zelopehead our brother, unto his daughters. 3. And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel; then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be put to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance. 4. And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inher-

ritance Before Chill 1452. ritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

The heads of the tribe of Manaffah, foreseeing an inconvenience which might arise concerning the portion of Zelophehad’s daughters, being the cafe before Moses. As they were heiress, and might therefore be greatly courted for their fortunes, (for money is too commonly the vile inducement to marriage); should they match out of their own tribe, their inheritance, which God had assigned them, would go to their husbands tribe, in prejudice to the Manaffites, which would be an injury to their tribe, and might be the occasion of many quarrels in like cafes in futurity. It is our wisdom to foresee and to prevent evils in prospect, and, especially in our settlements and families, to remove, as much as possible, every occasion of dispute.

Heb. Be wors. Tabit i. p. Heb. Chave re. 1 Chron. 1 Col. 83.

5. And Moses commanded the children of Israel, according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well. 6. This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. 7. So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8. 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. 9. Neither shall the inheritance

remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance. 10. Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad. 11. For Maktiah, Tirzah, and Hegiah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father’s brother’s sons. 12. And they were married into the families of the sons of Manaffah the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 13. These are the commandments and the judgments which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab, by Jordan near Jericho.

Numbers 36:5-13

God is pleased to approve the enquiry, and to resolve the question. 1. He orders they shall marry in their own family; not only among the Manaffites, but among their relations of the house of Hepher, where, though restricted to an house, there was choice enough of persons; and this would most effectually secure their portions in their own tribe and family: and this precedent is established in future similar cases, that their inheritances may be preserved entire. Now, Though children in marriage should consult their parents mind, parents must be careful not to force their inclinations. It is personal choice which can only make real union. 2. The daughters of Zelophehad acquiesced in the determination, and married their uncle’s sons, which is a degree of kindred not prohibited. The book concludes with a reference to the foregoing ordinances, all which, on their arrival in Canaan, they must religiously observe. It is a great blessing to have the path of duty made clear before us, since thus through grace we may be enabled to walk and please God.