King James Version

What Does Numbers 36:4 Mean?

Numbers 36:4 in the King James Version says “And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the ... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 36:4 · KJV


Context

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.

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. marry: Heb. be wives


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The yovel (יוֹבֵל, 'jubilee,' every 50th year) normally restored sold land to original tribal owners (Leviticus 25:10-28). However, if heiresses married into other tribes, even jubilee couldn't restore land to the original tribe—the transfer would be permanent. This unique situation required legislative clarification beyond standard jubilee provisions.

Jubilee embodied God's economic justice: debt forgiveness, land restoration, liberty for indentured servants. Yet jubilee had limits—it couldn't override marital unity or inheritance law. God's laws work in harmony, each principle balanced against others.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Jubilee year occurred after seven sabbatical cycles (7×7=49 years), beginning on the Day of Atonement. It was announced by ram's horn (shofar/yovel), hence the name. While Jubilee provisions are detailed in Leviticus 25, historical evidence for its consistent practice is limited, though the principles shaped Israel's economic theology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Jubilee principle challenge modern economic systems that concentrate wealth without periodic redistribution?
  2. What does the interplay between different laws (inheritance, marriage, jubilee) teach about biblical interpretation?
  3. In what ways does Christ's proclamation of 'the year of the Lord's favor' (Luke 4:19) represent the ultimate Jubilee?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאִם1 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה2 of 18
H1961

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

הַיֹּבֵל֮3 of 18

And when the jubile

H3104

the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i

לִבְנֵ֣י4 of 18

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֒5 of 18

of Israel

H3478

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

וְנֽוֹסְפָה֙6 of 18

be put

H3254

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

נַֽחֲלָתָֽן׃7 of 18

from the inheritance

H5159

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

עַ֚ל8 of 18
H5921

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

נַֽחֲלָתָֽן׃9 of 18

from the inheritance

H5159

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

מַטֵּ֣ה10 of 18

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),

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 18
H834

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

תִּֽהְיֶ֖ינָה12 of 18
H1961

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

לָהֶ֑ם13 of 18
H0
נַֽחֲלָתָֽן׃14 of 18

from the inheritance

H5159

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

מַטֵּ֣ה15 of 18

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),

אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ16 of 18

of our fathers

H1

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

יִגָּרַ֖ע17 of 18

be taken away

H1639

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

נַֽחֲלָתָֽן׃18 of 18

from the inheritance

H5159

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


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 36:4 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 36:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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