King James Version

What Does Numbers 36:3 Mean?

Numbers 36:3 in the King James Version says “And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then shall their inheritance be... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Numbers 36:3 · 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.

5

And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's attention to this inheritance detail demonstrate His concern for both justice and social order?
  2. What does the development of case law in Scripture teach about applying biblical principles to new situations?
  3. How should Christians balance individual rights with community responsibilities in church life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְ֠הָיוּ1 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְאֶחָ֞ד2 of 21

to any

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בְנֵֽי3 of 21

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

שִׁבְטֵ֥י4 of 21

of the other tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

בְנֵֽי5 of 21

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֮6 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

לְנָשִׁים֒7 of 21

And if they be married

H802

a woman

יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃8 of 21

be taken

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ9 of 21

from the inheritance

H5159

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

נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ10 of 21

from the inheritance

H5159

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

אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ11 of 21

of our fathers

H1

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

וְנוֹסַ֕ף12 of 21

and shall be put

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

עַ֚ל13 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ14 of 21

from the inheritance

H5159

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

הַמַּטֶּ֔ה15 of 21

of the tribe

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּֽהְיֶ֖ינָה17 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָהֶ֑ם18 of 21
H0
וּמִגֹּרַ֥ל19 of 21

from the 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)

נַֽחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ20 of 21

from the inheritance

H5159

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

יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃21 of 21

be taken

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold


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 36:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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