King James Version

What Does Numbers 36:1 Mean?

Numbers 36:1 in the King James Version says “And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:

Numbers 36:1 · KJV


Context

1

And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:

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.

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. whereunto: Heb. unto whom they shall be


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The family heads of Gilead (Joseph's descendants through Manasseh) coming before Moses demonstrates responsible leadership concerned about tribal integrity. Their question about the daughters of Zelophehad's inheritance addresses the practical implications of earlier rulings. If the daughters marry outside their tribe, their inherited land would pass to another tribe, permanently diminishing Manasseh's territory. This shows that justice requires considering not just immediate cases but long-term consequences. The Reformed emphasis on wisdom and foresight in applying principles is reflected here.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The earlier ruling (Numbers 27) gave daughters the right to inherit when there were no sons. This protected family continuity and individual justice. But tribal leaders recognized a potential problem—if these women married outside Manasseh, tribal boundaries would be affected. Their concern balanced individual rights with communal integrity, showing that both matter in covenant community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does responsible leadership anticipate long-term consequences of immediate decisions?
  2. What does balancing individual justice with community integrity teach about wise governance?
  3. In what ways should church decisions consider both immediate fairness and long-term implications?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ1 of 22

came near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

רָאשֵׁ֥י2 of 22

And the chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אָב֖וֹת3 of 22

fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מִֽמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת4 of 22

of the families

H4940

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

לִבְנֵ֥י5 of 22

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

גִלְעָד֙6 of 22

of Gilead

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

לִבְנֵ֥י7 of 22

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מָכִ֣יר8 of 22

of Machir

H4353

makir, an israelite

לִבְנֵ֥י9 of 22

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה10 of 22

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מִֽמִּשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת11 of 22

of the families

H4940

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

לִבְנֵ֥י12 of 22

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹסֵ֑ף13 of 22

of Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

וַֽיְדַבְּר֞וּ14 of 22

and spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וְלִפְנֵ֣י15 of 22

and before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֹשֶׁה֙16 of 22

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְלִפְנֵ֣י17 of 22

and before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַנְּשִׂאִ֔ים18 of 22

the princes

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

רָאשֵׁ֥י19 of 22

And the chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אָב֖וֹת20 of 22

fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לִבְנֵ֥י21 of 22

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 36:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 36:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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