Numbers 36:3
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠הָיוּ
H1961
וְ֠הָיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְאֶחָ֞ד
to any
H259
לְאֶחָ֞ד
to any
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 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
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
of the other tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
of the other tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
4 of 21
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
בְנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 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
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃
be taken
H1639
יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃
be taken
Strong's:
H1639
Word #:
8 of 21
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the 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
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
of our fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
of our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְנוֹסַ֕ף
and shall be put
H3254
וְנוֹסַ֕ף
and shall be put
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
12 of 21
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ
from the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
הַמַּטֶּ֔ה
of the tribe
H4294
הַמַּטֶּ֔ה
of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
15 of 21
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּֽהְיֶ֖ינָה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֖ינָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּמִגֹּרַ֥ל
from the lot
H1486
וּמִגֹּרַ֥ל
from the lot
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
19 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)
Historical Context
This dialogue occurred circa 1406 BC on the plains of Moab as Israel prepared to enter Canaan. The case of Zelophehad's daughters (Numbers 27:1-11) established women's inheritance rights when no male heirs existed. Numbers 36 refines this ruling to prevent unintended consequences. Ancient Israel's tribal land system was foundational to covenant identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's attention to this inheritance detail demonstrate His concern for both justice and social order?
- What does the development of case law in Scripture teach about applying biblical principles to new situations?
- How should Christians balance individual rights with community responsibilities in church life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—The Hebrew nachalah (נַחֲלָה, 'inheritance') refers not merely to property but to covenant identity rooted in tribal land allotment. The concern raised by Zelophehad's daughters' male relatives addresses a genuine legal gap: if heiresses marry outside their tribe, land transfers permanently to another tribe, violating God's fixed tribal boundaries.
This passage reveals how God's law addresses emerging situations not explicitly covered in original legislation. The solution (endogamous marriage within the tribe) preserved both women's inheritance rights and tribal integrity—a balance of justice and order.