Numbers 36:7
So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
This regulation supplemented the earlier ruling about Zelophehad's daughters (Numbers 27). The issue arose as Israel prepared to divide the land, when tribal leaders of Manasseh raised concerns about inheritance transfer. The solution required female heirs to marry within their tribe to preserve land allocation. The Jubilee year provisions (Leviticus 25) also protected tribal inheritances from permanent alienation. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Israel maintained tribal territories until the exile, though boundaries shifted over time. The tribal land system differed from ancient Near Eastern feudalism by granting land to family units rather than centralizing under king or temple. Joshua 17:3-4 records the daughters actually receiving their inheritance. Later marriage records (1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah) show Israelites generally married within tribes. The principle of maintaining distinct inheritances while belonging to one covenant people continues in the church's unity-in-diversity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's solution to the inheritance question demonstrate His concern for both individual justice and community well-being?
- What does the preservation of tribal inheritances teach about respecting the distinct gifts and callings God gives to different groups within His people?
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Analysis & Commentary
So shall not the inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe: for every one of the children of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.' This verse establishes the principle that tribal inheritances should remain within their designated tribe. The Hebrew 'nachalah' (נַחֲלָה, inheritance) refers to the permanent possession God allocated to each tribe. The concern was that if Zelophehad's daughters married outside Manasseh, their inheritance would transfer to another tribe when their sons inherited. God's solution required them to marry within their tribe, balancing individual rights (women's inheritance) with corporate good (tribal integrity). This shows God's law addresses both personal and communal concerns. The tribal land divisions represented God's specific provision for each group, not to be confused or lost. This anticipates believers' distinct rewards and callings within the one body of Christ.