Números 36

Herencia de las mujeres

1 Los jefes de las familias patriarcales de los clanes de Galaad fueron a hablar con Moisés y con los otros jefes de familias patriarcales israelitas. Galaad era hijo de Maquir y nieto de Manasés, por lo que sus clanes descendían de José.

2 Les dijeron:—Cuando el SEÑOR te ordenó repartir por sorteo la tierra entre los israelitas, también te ordenó entregar la heredad de nuestro hermano Zelofejad a sus hijas.

3 Ahora bien, si ellas se casan con hombres de otras tribus, su heredad saldrá del círculo de nuestra familia patriarcal y será transferida a la tribu de aquellos con quienes ellas se casen. De este modo perderíamos parte de la heredad que nos tocó por sorteo.

4 Cuando los israelitas celebren el año del jubileo, esa heredad será incorporada a la tribu de sus esposos, y se perderá como propiedad de nuestra familia patriarcal.

5 Entonces, por mandato del SEÑOR, Moisés entregó esta ley a los israelitas:—La tribu de los descendientes de José tiene razón.

6 Respecto a las hijas de Zelofejad, el SEÑOR ordena lo siguiente: Ellas podrán casarse con quien quieran, con tal de que se casen dentro de la tribu de José.

7 Ninguna heredad en Israel podrá pasar de una tribu a otra, porque cada israelita tiene el derecho de conservar la tierra que su tribu heredó de sus antepasados.

8 Toda hija que herede tierras, en cualquiera de las tribus, deberá casarse con alguien que pertenezca a la familia patriarcal de sus antepasados. Así cada israelita podrá conservar la heredad de sus padres.

9 Ninguna heredad podrá pasar de una tribu a otra, porque cada tribu israelita debe conservar la tierra que heredó.

10 Las hijas de Zelofejad hicieron lo que el SEÑOR le ordenó a Moisés.

11 Se llamaban Majlá, Tirsá, Joglá, Milca y Noa. Se casaron con sus primos,

12 dentro de los clanes de los descendientes de Manasés hijo de José, de modo que su heredad quedó dentro del clan y de la familia patriarcal de su padre.

13 Estos son los mandamientos y ordenanzas que, por medio de Moisés, dio el SEÑOR a los israelitas en las llanuras de Moab, cerca del Jordán, a la altura de Jericó.

Números 36 Commentary

Chapter 36

The inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad. (1-4) The daughters of Zelophehad are to marry in their own tribe. (5-12) Conclusion. (13)

Verses 1-4 The heads of the tribe of Manasseh represent the evil which might follow, if the daughters of Zelophehad should marry into any other tribes. They sought to preserve the Divine appointment of inheritances, and that contests and quarrels should not rise among those who should come afterwards. It is the wisdom and duty of those who have estates in the world, to settle them, and to dispose of them, so that no strife and contention may arise.

Verses 5-12 Those who consult the oracles of God, concerning the making of their heavenly inheritance sure, shall not only be directed what to do, but their inquiries shall be graciously accepted. God would not have one tribe enriched at the expense of another. Each tribe was to keep to its own inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad submitted to this appointment. How could they fail to marry well, when God himself directed them? Let the people of God learn how suitable and proper it is, like the daughters of Israel, to be united only to their own people. Ought not every true believer Israel, to be united only to their own people. Ought not every true believer in Jesus, to be very attentive in the near and tender relations of life, to be united only to such as are united to the Lord? All our intentions and inclinations ought to be subjected to the will of God, when that is made known to us, and especially in contracting marriage. Although the word of God allows affection and preference in this important relation, it does not sanction that foolish, ungovernable, and idolatrous passion, which cares not what may be the end; but in defiance of authority, determines upon self-gratification. All such conduct, however disguised, is against common sense, the interests of society, the happiness of the marriage relation, and, what is still more evil, against the religion of Christ.

Verse 13 These are the judgments the Lord commanded in the plains of Moab. Most of them related to the settlement in Canaan, into which the Israelites were now entering. Whatever new condition God, by his providence, brings us into, we must beg him to teach us the duties of it, and to enable us to do them, that we may do the work of the day in its day, the duty of a place in its place.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 36

This chapter gives an account of an application made by the heads of the tribe of Manasseh, concerning the inheritances of the daughters of Zelophehad, which, should they marry into other tribes, would be removed thither, and so be a loss to theirs, Nu 36:1-4, which case was judged worthy of regard; and to remedy this inconvenience, they were ordered to marry into the family of their father's tribe, and this was to be a law to all heiresses for the future in other tribes, Nu 36:5-9 and accordingly the daughters of Zelophehad married their father's brothers' sons, Nu 36:10-13.