Catholic Bible
Mosaico decorativo

Liber Numeri, 36

1. Accesserunt autem et princi pes familiarum tribus filio rum Galaad filii Machir filii Manasse de stirpe filiorum Ioseph; locutique sunt Moysi coram principibus familiarum Israel

1. The heads of the fathers' houses of the families of the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manas'seh, of the fathers' houses of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel;

2. atque dixerunt: “Tibi domino nostro praecepit Dominus, ut terram sorte divideres filiis Israel et ut filiabus Salphaad fratris nostri dares hereditatem debitam patri;

2. they said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel; and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zeloph'ehad our brother to his daughters.

3. quas si alterius tribus homines uxores acceperint, sequetur possessio sua, et translata ad aliam tribum de nostra hereditate minuetur.

3. But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; so it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.

4. Atque ita fiet, ut cum iobeleus advenerit, addetur possessio earum possessioni tribus, ad quam pertinent, et a possessione tribus patrum nostrorum auferetur”.

4. And when the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers."

5. Respondit Moyses filiis Israel et, Domino praecipiente, ait: “Recte tribus filiorum Ioseph locuta est,

5. And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The tribe of the sons of Joseph is right.

6. et haec lex super filiabus Salphaad a Domino promulgata est: Nubant, quibus volunt, tantum ut suae tribus hominibus,

6. This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zeloph'ehad, `Let them marry whom they think best; only, they shall marry within the family of the tribe of their father.

7. ne commisceatur possessio filiorum Israel de tribu in tribum; filii Israel adhaerebunt possessioni tribus patrum suorum,

7. The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another; for every one of the people of Israel shall cleave to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

8. et cunctae filiae heredes e filiis Israel maritos e cognatione tribus patrum suorum accipient, ut hereditas permaneat in familiis,

8. And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that every one of the people of Israel may possess the inheritance of his fathers.

9. nec commisceatur possessio de tribu in tribum alteram, sed filii Israel adhaerebunt possessioni tribuum suarum”.

9. So no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another; for each of the tribes of the people of Israel shall cleave to its own inheritance.'"

10. Sicut mandavit Dominus Moysi, sic fecerunt filiae Salphaad

10. The daughters of Zeloph'ehad did as the LORD commanded Moses;

11. et nupserunt Maala et Thersa et Hegla et Melcha et Noa filiis patruorum suorum

11. for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zeloph'ehad, were married to sons of their father's brothers.

12. de familiis Manasse, qui fuit filius Ioseph; et possessio, quae illis fuerat attributa, mansit in tribu et familia patris earum.

12. They were married into the families of the sons of Manas'seh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.

13. Haec sunt mandata atque iudicia, quae mandavit Dominus per manum Moysi ad filios Israel in campestribus Moab supra Iordanem contra Iericho.

13. These are the commandments and the ordinances which the LORD commanded by Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.



Read the Bible in a Year

Join our community and complete the entire Bible in 365 days. A structured and inspiring path to deepen your faith and knowledge of Scripture.

Join the Program Download the PDF Plan

Footnotes:

36:1-4 - The question of the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters is raised again. This reflects the concern for the preservation of inheritance within the tribes, showing God's concern for justice and family organization (see also Numbers 27:1-11 and Joshua 17:3-4).

36:5-9 - God decrees that female heirs must marry within their own tribe so that the land remains in the family. This ensures the stability of inheritance and the preservation of property between tribes (see also Leviticus 25:10 and Galatians 3:28).

36:10-12 - Zelophehad's daughters obey the Lord's command and marry within their tribe. This highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and preserving family blessings (see also Joshua 17:3-6).

36:13:00 - This verse concludes the narrative of the laws and commandments God gave the Israelites through Moses. It reinforces the authority and importance of following God's law, which was given for the well-being and prosperity of the people (see also Deuteronomy 4:40 and Psalm 19:7-11).

Verses related to Liber Numeri, 36:

Numbers chapter 36 concludes with laws on inheritance. How to preserve the family and tribal legacy? This final text resolves the issue of the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters, establishing rules for marriages within the same tribe. The chapter addresses themes of family continuity, preservation of tribal heritage, and the wisdom of divine laws. Numbers 36 demonstrates the flexibility and foresight of God's law. Study with us five biblical passages that correlate with the legal themes of this concluding chapter.

Joshua 17:3-4: "But Zelophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, who were called Mahalah, Noah, Hogla, Milcah and Tirzah. They presented themselves to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, 'The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.' So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father's brothers, according to the commandment of the Lord." - This excerpt refers directly to the case of the daughters of Zelophehad, which is addressed in Numbers 36.

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for all are one in Christ Jesus." - Although in a different context, this verse reflects the principle of equality in inheritance that is addressed in Numbers 36 with regard to Zelophehad's daughters.

Proverbs 13:22: "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous." - This proverb talks about inheritance, a central theme in Numbers 36.

Ezekiel 46:18: "The prince will not take any of the people's properties, expelling them from their properties. You will give your children an inheritance taken only from your property, so that none of my people will be separated from your property." - This verse in Ezekiel echoes concerns about preserving tribal heritage that are addressed in Numbers 36.

Ruth 4:5: "Then Boaz said, 'On the day you buy Naomi's land, you will also buy Ruth the Moabite, the deceased's widow, to keep his name in your inheritance.'" - Ruth's story illustrates issues of inheritance and intertribal marriage, which are central themes in Numbers 36.

FAQ:

What was the concern of Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 36?

Zelophehad’s daughters were concerned that if they married men from other tribes, their inheritance would be transferred to another tribe. (Numbers 36:2-4)

What did God command regarding the marriage of Zelophehad's daughters?

God commanded Zelophehad's daughters to marry within the tribe of Manasseh so that the inheritance would not be transferred to another tribe of Israel. (Numbers 36:5-9)

How did the case of Zelophehad's daughters influence inheritance laws in Israel?

The case established the principle that heirs should marry within their tribe to preserve the family inheritance within the original tribe. (Numbers 36:6-7)

What was the purpose of the law limiting inter-tribal marriage?

The law was intended to keep inheritances within the original tribes, preventing land from being transferred between tribes, and preserving the integrity of land distribution. (Numbers 36:7-9)

What was the final decision regarding the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters?

Zelophehad’s daughters obeyed God’s command and married men from their own tribe, ensuring that their father’s inheritance remained in Manasseh. (Numbers 36:10-12)


Bibles

Old Testament

New Testament

Follow us