Numbers 36:2 (KJV)

What does Numbers 36:2 mean?

Numbers 36:2 records a group reminding Moses that God commanded the land of Canaan to be given to Israel’s tribes by lot, and that Moses was specifically told by God to give Zelophehad’s inheritance to his daughters. The verse highlights the concern about how land inheritance should be handled for the daughters of a man who died without sons.

The speakers are leaders from the tribe of Manasseh, addressing Moses about the earlier decision concerning Zelophehad’s daughters. They refer back to God’s command (through Moses) that land should be distributed by casting lots and that the land belonging to Zelophehad, who had no sons, was given to his daughters. This sets up a question about how inheritance laws affect tribal boundaries and family property, especially when only daughters remain.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 36:2

• The word for “inheritance” (נַחֲלָה, nachalah) refers to a permanent possession of land passed down within a family or tribe. This highlights the importance of keeping land within the original tribe, which is the main concern in this passage.
• The word for “lot” (גּוֹרָל, goral) means a method of making decisions or dividing land by chance, often seen as guided by God. This shows that the distribution was not arbitrary but seen as divinely directed.
• The word for “give” (נָתַן, natan) is used twice, emphasizing both the general giving of land to Israel and the specific giving of Zelophehad’s inheritance to his daughters. This repetition underlines the seriousness and authority of the command.

Why Numbers 36:2 matters

• Numbers 36:2 clarifies that land inheritance in Israel was not just a family matter but a tribal and national concern, directly tied to God’s commands.
• The verse connects the story of Zelophehad’s daughters to the larger system of land distribution, showing how individual cases could affect the whole community.
• This verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where the leaders seek guidance on how to handle inheritance when only daughters are left, balancing fairness to individuals with the preservation of tribal land.