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Numbers 36

13 verses

TL;DR

The chapter records the decree that Zelophehad's daughters inherit her father's land, marry within their father's tribe, and that inheritance remains within each tribe at the Jubilee.

Summary

In Numbers 36, leaders from Gilead petition Moses to secure inheritance rights for Zelophehad’s daughters, arguing that the Lord has commanded the land to be divided by lot among Israel. The Lord’s decree allows the daughters to inherit their brother’s property and mandates they marry within their father’s tribe so the land stays with that tribe. Moses confirms the law, affirming that inheritance will not shift between tribes. The passage explains how this rule preserves tribal landholdings during the Jubilee year. Examples are given of the five daughters—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah—marrying within the sons of Manasseh, thereby keeping the inheritance in their father’s tribe. The chapter concludes with Moses’ formal decree in the plains of Moab near Jericho, underscoring the divine origin of these judgments.

Outline
  1. Petition by Gilead leaders for daughters’ inheritance
  2. Lord’s command allowing daughters to inherit and marry within their father’s tribe
  3. Moses’ confirmation and examples of the decree in action
Themes
inheritance and tribal identitywomen’s legal rights in ancient Israelcovenant fidelity and divine instruction
Keywords
inheritancedaughtertribelotmarriageJubileeMosesLord
People
MosesZelophehadMahlahTirzahHoglahMilcahNoahMachirManassehJoseph
Places
GileadMoabJordanJericho
Things
inheritanceinheritance by lotdaughter’s inheritanceJubileemarriage within tribetribal inheritance
Key Verses
  • Numbers 36:2: Establishes the Lord’s command for daughters to inherit.
  • Numbers 36:3: Explains how marriage affects inheritance distribution.
  • Numbers 36:6: Affirms that daughters may marry within their father’s tribe.
  • Numbers 36:11: Provides real examples of the daughters’ marriages.
  • Numbers 36:13: Closes with Moses’ formal decree, emphasizing divine authority.
Questions
  • What does this decree reveal about the status of women in ancient Israel?
  • How does the law maintain tribal land boundaries?
  • In what ways does the passage illustrate divine guidance in legal matters?
  • Why is the concept of inheritance by lot significant?
  • What implications does this have for modern interpretations of family law?
Sentiment

neutral
The passage records legal instruction and divine command without overt emotional tone.