Numbers 36:11 - for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’ sons.

Generated Verse: Numbers 36:11

What does "Numbers 36:11" mean?


This verse, Numbers 36:11, is part of a longer narrative dealing with a specific issue related to inheritance in ancient Israel. To understand it fully, you need the context of Numbers 36:1-12. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its significance:

The Problem:

Zelophehad's Daughters: Zelophehad died without sons, leaving behind five daughters: Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah. Under Israelite inheritance law, daughters could inherit their father's land if there were no sons.
Tribe Concern: The heads of the families of the tribe of Manasseh were concerned that if these daughters married outside their tribe, their inherited land would be lost to another tribe, effectively diminishing Manasseh's territory.

God's Solution:

God instructs Moses that Zelophehad's daughters can marry whomever they choose, but they must marry within their own tribe of Manasseh.

The Verse's Meaning (Numbers 36:11):

"for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’ sons." This verse states that the daughters of Zelophehad followed God's command and married their cousins (their father's brothers' sons).

Significance:

Preservation of Tribal Land: This ensured that the land inherited by Zelophehad's daughters remained within the tribe of Manasseh, preventing the fragmentation of tribal territory.
Compliance with Divine Command: The verse highlights the daughters' obedience to God's instructions, demonstrating their willingness to prioritize the community's needs and adhere to religious law.
Legal Precedent: This situation and its resolution established a precedent for similar inheritance cases, clarifying the rules and maintaining the integrity of the land distribution.
Affirms Daughter's Agency (with limits): While it may seem restrictive by modern standards, it does affirm the daughters' right to inherit and to marry whom they chose within the specified constraints. They were not forced into specific marriages, but they were limited to marrying within their tribe to protect the land.

In Summary:

Numbers 36:11 is a crucial verse that explains how the daughters of Zelophehad resolved the inheritance dilemma. They married their cousins within the tribe of Manasseh, thereby upholding both their right to inherit their father's land and the tribe's right to maintain its territorial integrity. This action was a direct result of God's command through Moses.

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