King James Version

What Does Numbers 36:2 Mean?

Numbers 36:2 in the King James Version says “And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my l... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 36:2 · 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

4

And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The reference to God's command that land be given by lot establishes the divine origin of land distribution. The leaders' concern isn't with overturning earlier decisions but with preserving the system's integrity. They acknowledge both the LORD's command to give the daughters inheritance and the principle that tribal allocations are permanent. This demonstrates that God's commands don't contradict but must be harmonized through wisdom. The Reformed hermeneutical principle that Scripture interprets Scripture and doesn't contradict itself is illustrated.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The combination of lot (determining location) and inheritance law (determining transmission) created Israel's land system. The lot established tribal boundaries as permanent, divinely ordained, and not subject to change. If daughters marrying outside their tribe transferred land permanently, it would violate the lot's divine determination of tribal boundaries.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we harmonize seemingly competing biblical principles through wisdom?
  2. What does the appeal to divine command teach about grounding arguments in Scripture?
  3. In what ways should Christians resolve tensions between valid principles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ1 of 21

And they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶת2 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַֽאדֹנִי֙3 of 21

and my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

צֻוָּ֣ה4 of 21

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

בַֽיהוָ֔ה5 of 21

The LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָתֵ֗ת6 of 21

to give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת7 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֧רֶץ8 of 21

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נַחֲלַ֛ת9 of 21

for an inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

בְּגוֹרָ֖ל10 of 21

by lot

H1486

properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)

לִבְנֵ֣י11 of 21

to 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל12 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

וַֽאדֹנִי֙13 of 21

and my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

צֻוָּ֣ה14 of 21

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

בַֽיהוָ֔ה15 of 21

The LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָתֵ֗ת16 of 21

to give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶֽת17 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַחֲלַ֛ת18 of 21

for an inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

צְלָפְחָ֥ד19 of 21

of Zelophehad

H6765

tselophchad, an israelite

אָחִ֖ינוּ20 of 21

our brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

לִבְנֹתָֽיו׃21 of 21

unto his daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)


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 36:2 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 36:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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