1 And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, 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 Zelophehad 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 jubilee 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 inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.
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 Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons:
12 And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh 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.
Chapter 36 of the book of Numbers in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is the final chapter in the book of Numbers. It serves as a conclusion to the events and laws recorded in the previous chapters. This chapter focuses on the inheritance laws for the daughters of Zelophehad, a topic that was first introduced in chapter 27. The main themes of this chapter include justice, equality, and the importance of keeping one's word. Ultimately, this chapter teaches us the significance of following God's laws and the consequences of disobedience.
The chapter begins by recounting the story of the daughters of Zelophehad, who had approached Moses and the leaders of Israel to request an inheritance in the land of Canaan. This was a bold move, as in ancient times, women were not typically given inheritance rights. However, Zelophehad had no sons, and his daughters did not want their father's name to be forgotten. Moses brought their case before the Lord, who instructed him to grant the daughters' request. This decision set a precedent for women to inherit their family's land, as long as they did not marry outside their tribe.
This story highlights the importance of justice and equality in God's eyes. He does not discriminate based on gender or social status, and He desires for all His people to receive fair treatment. This is a powerful message, especially in a patriarchal society where women were often marginalized. It also serves as a reminder that God's laws are just and righteous, and they are meant to benefit all His people.
After the decision was made to grant the daughters of Zelophehad an inheritance, the leaders of the tribe of Manasseh raised a concern. They feared that if these women were to marry men from other tribes, their land would be transferred to their husbands' tribe, thus diminishing the land allotted to Manasseh. This concern was valid, as the land was divided amongst the tribes, and it was essential to maintain the integrity of each tribe's inheritance.
However, this issue raised a larger question about the importance of keeping one's word and honoring commitments. The daughters of Zelophehad had made a request based on the laws of inheritance, and God had granted their request. It was not fair to change the rules after the fact to suit the tribe of Manasseh's interests. This situation serves as a reminder that we must be careful with our words and actions, as they have consequences and can affect others.
Moses brought the concerns of the tribe of Manasseh before the Lord, who instructed that the daughters of Zelophehad must marry within their tribe to preserve their inheritance. This decision was not a punishment but a way to maintain the integrity of the land distribution. The Lord also made it clear that this law would apply to all women who inherited land in Israel. This instruction reinforced the importance of obeying and following God's laws, even if it may seem inconvenient or go against our personal desires.
The chapter concludes with the daughters of Zelophehad obeying the Lord's command and marrying their cousins from the tribe of Manasseh. This act of obedience not only preserved their inheritance but also served as an example for others to follow. It showed that they valued God's laws above their own desires and were willing to honor their commitment to their tribe and their family.
Chapter 36 of the book of Numbers holds several significant meanings and lessons for us today. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of justice and equality in God's eyes. He does not show partiality towards any group of people, and His laws are meant to benefit all His children. This chapter also serves as a reminder that we must be careful with our words and actions, as they have consequences and can affect others.
Moreover, this chapter teaches us about the importance of keeping our commitments and following through on our promises. The daughters of Zelophehad made a request based on God's laws, and even though it may have seemed inconvenient for the tribe of Manasseh, it was essential to honor that commitment. This serves as a reminder that we must be faithful to our word, just as God is faithful to His promises.
Additionally, this chapter highlights the significance of obedience to God's laws. The daughters of Zelophehad could have chosen to marry outside their tribe, but they chose to obey God's command and preserve their inheritance. This act of obedience not only benefited them but also set an example for others to follow. It reminds us that God's laws are meant for our good and that we should trust and obey them, even if they may seem difficult or inconvenient.
Lastly, this chapter also speaks to the importance of family and community. The daughters of Zelophehad were concerned about their family's name and inheritance, and they were willing to marry within their tribe to preserve it. This shows the value of family and the importance of honoring our commitments to our loved ones. It also emphasizes the importance of unity and working together as a community to preserve what is important to us.
Chapter 36 of the book of Numbers in the KJV Holy Bible is a powerful conclusion to the events and laws recorded in the previous chapters. It teaches us about justice, equality, the importance of keeping our word, and the significance of obedience to God's laws. It also serves as a reminder to value family and community and to honor our commitments to them. Ultimately, this chapter shows us that God's laws are just and righteous, and they are meant to guide us towards a life of purpose and fulfillment.
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