Numbers 36:2
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.
Numbers 36:2 (KJV)
Context
Numbers 36 closes the book of Numbers, which records Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land and the laws for dividing it among the twelve tribes. The speakers are the chief fathers of the family of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh. They come to Moses and the leaders of Israel with a respectful concern about the inheritance of Zelophehad’s daughters. This chapter belongs to the concluding section of Numbers, where the division and inheritance of the land are being settled.
Meaning
The leaders acknowledge two commands from the LORD. First, the land was to be given as an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel, meaning God Himself directed the division, not human choice. Second, Moses was commanded to give Zelophehad’s inheritance to his daughters. Zelophehad had no sons, only five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Earlier, in Numbers 27:1-11, they had asked for their father’s portion, and the LORD granted their request. Now the tribal leaders do not reject that ruling; they accept it and build on it. Their concern, explained in Numbers 36:3-4, is that if the daughters marry outside the tribe, their inheritance would transfer to another tribe, diminishing Manasseh’s portion. This is not opposition but a request for guidance to preserve tribal boundaries.
Biblical connections
The phrase “by lot” connects to Numbers 26:53-56, where God instructed that the land be divided by lot among the tribes. This shows that the distribution was sacred and orderly, directed by God rather than by human preference. The leaders’ concern is resolved later in Numbers 36:5-12, where God instructs that the daughters must marry within their father’s tribe, preserving the inheritance. This solution maintains the integrity of each tribe’s allotted portion in the Promised Land. The narrative demonstrates God’s care for the tribal inheritances and the importance of obedience to divine instructions.
Application
This verse teaches respect for God’s commands. The leaders spoke with reverence, acknowledging that the LORD had commanded Moses. They did not question God’s earlier decision but sought wise guidance to uphold His design. In our lives, we honour God when we accept His instructions and seek lawful ways to follow them, even when new questions arise. The leaders’ approach models humility and order: they brought their concern to the proper authority, Moses, and trusted God’s direction.
Reflection
God’s fairness shines here. In a society where inheritance usually passed through sons, He granted daughters their father’s portion. Yet He also cared for the whole tribe, ensuring that one family’s blessing did not harm another’s. This balance shows that God values both individual rights and community order. His promises are fulfilled through specific, lawful means, and He provides for His people with justice and care. The verse reminds us that God’s plans are precise and trustworthy, and He works through orderly processes to accomplish His will.
