“Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.”
Context: The book of Numbers records the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness and their preparation to enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, the tribe of Manasseh raised a concern regarding the inheritance of their land.
Explanation: The inheritance of land among the tribes of Israel was an important aspect of their societal structure. Each tribe was allocated a specific portion of the land of Canaan as their inheritance. This division of land was initially determined by the Lord and outlined in detail in the book of Joshua.
In Numbers 36:1-9, the daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses and the leaders of Israel with a concern. They belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, and their father had died without leaving any sons to inherit his portion of land. They expressed their desire to inherit their father’s land, so it would not pass to another tribe when they married outside of their own tribe.
Moses brought their case before the Lord, who confirmed that the daughters of Zelophehad were right in their request. The Lord instructed that they should marry within their own tribe to ensure that the inheritance would remain within the tribe of Manasseh. This ruling applied to all daughters who inherited land when there were no sons in their family.
The verse you mentioned, Numbers 36:9, reflects the Lord’s command that the inheritance of land should not be transferred from one tribe to another. Each tribe was to maintain its own inheritance, ensuring that the land given to their forefathers would remain with their descendants for generations to come.
Lessons and Applications:
- Preservation of Inheritance: The Lord’s instruction emphasized the importance of preserving the tribal inheritance. This principle ensured the stability and cohesion of the tribes of Israel. It teaches us the significance of valuing and preserving the heritage and blessings that are passed down to us.
- Honor and Respect for Boundaries: The verse underscores the idea of respecting boundaries and individual territories. In the case of the Israelites, the tribes were allotted specific portions of land, and they were expected to maintain the integrity of those boundaries. This reminds us to respect the boundaries of others and honor their possessions and privileges.
- God’s Concern for Equity: The Lord’s ruling in this situation reflects His concern for fairness and justice. He ensured that the daughters of Zelophehad received their rightful inheritance, while also maintaining the order and integrity of the tribal divisions. It reminds us that God is just and cares about the rights and welfare of every individual.
- Marriage within the Community: The command to marry within their own tribe served to reinforce the unity and identity of each tribe. It prevented the potential loss or dilution of tribal identity through intermarriage. While this specific instruction was relevant to the tribal structure of Israel, it reminds us of the importance of shared values and commitments within our own communities and families.
Overall, Numbers 36:9 teaches us the significance of preserving and respecting inheritances, boundaries, and God’s principles of justice. It also highlights the importance of maintaining unity and identity within our communities.
