Numbers 36:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְ֠הָיוּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
לְאֶחָ֞ד
to any
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#3
בְנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
of the other tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#5
בְנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#7
לְנָשִׁים֒
And if they be married
a woman
#8
יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃
be taken
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
#9
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#10
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#11
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
H1
of our fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#12
וְנוֹסַ֕ף
and shall be put
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
#13
עַ֚ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#15
הַמַּטֶּ֔ה
of the tribe
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#16
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
תִּֽהְיֶ֖ינָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#18
לָהֶ֑ם
H0
#19
וּמִגֹּרַ֥ל
from the lot
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
#20
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
#21
יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃
be taken
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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