Numbers 36:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַֽיהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
בַֽיהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָתֵ֗ת
to give
H5414
לָתֵ֗ת
to give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַחֲלַ֛ת
for an inheritance
H5159
נַחֲלַ֛ת
for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
בְּגוֹרָ֖ל
by lot
H1486
בְּגוֹרָ֖ל
by lot
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
לִבְנֵ֣י
to the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י
to the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַֽאדֹנִי֙
and my lord
H113
וַֽאדֹנִי֙
and my lord
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
13 of 21
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
בַֽיהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
בַֽיהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָתֵ֗ת
to give
H5414
לָתֵ֗ת
to give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַחֲלַ֛ת
for an inheritance
H5159
נַחֲלַ֛ת
for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
Historical Context
The combination of lot (determining location) and inheritance law (determining transmission) created Israel's land system. The lot established tribal boundaries as permanent, divinely ordained, and not subject to change. If daughters marrying outside their tribe transferred land permanently, it would violate the lot's divine determination of tribal boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we harmonize seemingly competing biblical principles through wisdom?
- What does the appeal to divine command teach about grounding arguments in Scripture?
- In what ways should Christians resolve tensions between valid principles?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The reference to God's command that land be given by lot establishes the divine origin of land distribution. The leaders' concern isn't with overturning earlier decisions but with preserving the system's integrity. They acknowledge both the LORD's command to give the daughters inheritance and the principle that tribal allocations are permanent. This demonstrates that God's commands don't contradict but must be harmonized through wisdom. The Reformed hermeneutical principle that Scripture interprets Scripture and doesn't contradict itself is illustrated.