Numbers 36:6 - This is the thing which Yahweh does command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them be married to whom they think best; only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father.
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What does "Numbers 36:6" mean?
Numbers 36:6 addresses a specific concern that arose after the daughters of Zelophehad were granted the right to inherit their father's land because he had no sons (Numbers 27). The issue was that if these daughters married men from other tribes, their inherited land would eventually pass into the hands of those other tribes, thereby diminishing the inheritance of Zelophehad's tribe, Manasseh.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"This is the thing which Yahweh does command": This establishes that the following instruction is a divine command, emphasizing its importance.
"concerning the daughters of Zelophehad": This specifies that the command is specifically for these women and others in similar situations.
"saying, 'Let them be married to whom they think best'": This grants the daughters of Zelophehad the freedom to choose their husbands based on their own desires and judgment. They are not being forced into marriages.
"only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father": This is the key restriction. While they have the freedom to choose whom they marry, they must marry within their father's tribe (Manasseh). This ensures that their inherited land remains within the tribe.
In essence, the verse means:
God gives the daughters of Zelophehad the right to marry anyone they choose, as long as that person is from within their father's tribe. This balances their right to choose a husband with the need to preserve tribal land inheritance.
Significance and Implications:
Preservation of Tribal Land: This passage underscores the importance of maintaining tribal boundaries and land ownership in ancient Israelite society. Land was closely tied to identity and inheritance.
Limited Women's Autonomy: While the daughters of Zelophehad were granted a degree of autonomy in choosing their spouses, it was still restricted by the need to preserve tribal inheritance. This highlights the tension between individual freedom and societal obligations.
Legal Precedent: This case served as a legal precedent for similar situations in the future, establishing a rule to prevent land from passing out of tribal ownership through marriage.
Numbers 36:6 - This is the thing which Yahweh does command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them be married to whom they think best; only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father.
What does "Numbers 36:6" mean?
Numbers 36:6 addresses a specific concern that arose after the daughters of Zelophehad were granted the right to inherit their father's land because he had no sons (Numbers 27). The issue was that if these daughters married men from other tribes, their inherited land would eventually pass into the hands of those other tribes, thereby diminishing the inheritance of Zelophehad's tribe, Manasseh.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"This is the thing which Yahweh does command": This establishes that the following instruction is a divine command, emphasizing its importance.
"concerning the daughters of Zelophehad": This specifies that the command is specifically for these women and others in similar situations.
"saying, 'Let them be married to whom they think best'": This grants the daughters of Zelophehad the freedom to choose their husbands based on their own desires and judgment. They are not being forced into marriages.
"only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father": This is the key restriction. While they have the freedom to choose whom they marry, they must marry within their father's tribe (Manasseh). This ensures that their inherited land remains within the tribe.
In essence, the verse means:
God gives the daughters of Zelophehad the right to marry anyone they choose, as long as that person is from within their father's tribe. This balances their right to choose a husband with the need to preserve tribal land inheritance.
Significance and Implications:
Preservation of Tribal Land: This passage underscores the importance of maintaining tribal boundaries and land ownership in ancient Israelite society. Land was closely tied to identity and inheritance.
Limited Women's Autonomy: While the daughters of Zelophehad were granted a degree of autonomy in choosing their spouses, it was still restricted by the need to preserve tribal inheritance. This highlights the tension between individual freedom and societal obligations.
Legal Precedent: This case served as a legal precedent for similar situations in the future, establishing a rule to prevent land from passing out of tribal ownership through marriage.