Numbers Chapter 36 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
הַדָּבָ֞ר
This is the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֞ר
This is the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֗ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִבְנ֤וֹת
concerning the daughters
H1323
לִבְנ֤וֹת
concerning the daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
6 of 18
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
לַטּ֥וֹב
best
H2896
לַטּ֥וֹב
best
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
9 of 18
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֖ם
to whom they think
H5869
בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֖ם
to whom they think
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
תִּֽהְיֶ֣ינָה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶ֣ינָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַ֗ךְ
H389
לְמִשְׁפַּ֛חַת
only to the family
H4940
לְמִשְׁפַּ֛חַת
only to the family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
14 of 18
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
מַטֵּ֥ה
of the tribe
H4294
מַטֵּ֥ה
of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
15 of 18
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אֲבִיהֶ֖ם
of their father
H1
אֲבִיהֶ֖ם
of their father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
16 of 18
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Numbers 36:12And 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.2 Corinthians 6:14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?Genesis 24:3And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Historical Context
This ruling addressed a unique situation: Zelophehad had no sons, only five daughters (Num 27:1). The earlier judgment gave them inheritance rights - revolutionary for that era. However, if they married outside Manasseh, their land would transfer to other tribes in Jubilee, fragmenting tribal territories. This clarifying law ensured land stayed within tribes while honoring women's property rights. The daughters' willing obedience (v.10-12) demonstrates humble submission to God's wise boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance exercising Christian liberty while staying within God's wise boundaries for flourishing?
- Are there areas where you're claiming freedom that actually violate God's protective limits?
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses the inheritance rights of Zelophehad's daughters, commanding they marry within their father's tribe to preserve tribal inheritance. This supplementary law balances two principles: women's inheritance rights (Num 27:1-11) and tribal land preservation. The phrase 'let them marry to whom they think best' shows God grants freedom within His boundaries - liberty with limits. This case demonstrates Scripture's progressive clarification: earlier revelation (ch 27) is refined by subsequent revelation (ch 36) as new situations arise. The principle applies to Christian freedom: we're free to marry 'only in the Lord' (1 Cor 7:39) - liberty bounded by God's wisdom.