Numbers 36:1
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:
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ
came near
H7126
וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ
came near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 22
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
רָאשֵׁ֥י
And the chief
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֥י
And the chief
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
2 of 22
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אָב֖וֹת
fathers
H1
אָב֖וֹת
fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מִֽמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
of the families
H4940
מִֽמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
of the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 22
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
גִלְעָד֙
of Gilead
H1568
גִלְעָד֙
of Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
6 of 22
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
10 of 22
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מִֽמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
of the families
H4940
מִֽמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
of the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
11 of 22
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַֽיְדַבְּר֞וּ
and spake
H1696
וַֽיְדַבְּר֞וּ
and spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
14 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְלִפְנֵ֣י
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֣י
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְלִפְנֵ֣י
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֣י
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
17 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַנְּשִׂאִ֔ים
the princes
H5387
הַנְּשִׂאִ֔ים
the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
רָאשֵׁ֥י
And the chief
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֥י
And the chief
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
19 of 22
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אָב֖וֹת
fathers
H1
אָב֖וֹת
fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
20 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Historical Context
The earlier ruling (Numbers 27) gave daughters the right to inherit when there were no sons. This protected family continuity and individual justice. But tribal leaders recognized a potential problem—if these women married outside Manasseh, tribal boundaries would be affected. Their concern balanced individual rights with communal integrity, showing that both matter in covenant community.
Questions for Reflection
- How does responsible leadership anticipate long-term consequences of immediate decisions?
- What does balancing individual justice with community integrity teach about wise governance?
- In what ways should church decisions consider both immediate fairness and long-term implications?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The family heads of Gilead (Joseph's descendants through Manasseh) coming before Moses demonstrates responsible leadership concerned about tribal integrity. Their question about the daughters of Zelophehad's inheritance addresses the practical implications of earlier rulings. If the daughters marry outside their tribe, their inherited land would pass to another tribe, permanently diminishing Manasseh's territory. This shows that justice requires considering not just immediate cases but long-term consequences. The Reformed emphasis on wisdom and foresight in applying principles is reflected here.