Bible Commentary

Numbers 36:1-4

Matthew Henry on Numbers 36:1-4

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

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.

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commentaryThe Law of Inheritance. (b. c. 1452.)THE LAW OF INHERITANCE. (B. C. 1452.) We have here the humble address which the heads of the tribe of Manasseh made to Moses and the princes, on occasion of the order lately made concerning the daughters of Zelophehad.…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 36:1-13THE SURE INHERITANCE The decision here recorded, and expanded into a general law, was wholly intended to preserve to each tribe and each family its own inheritance in the land of promise inviolate and undisturbed. Spiri…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 36:1-13EXPOSITION THE MARRIAGE OF HEIRESSES (Numbers 36:1-13).Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 36:1The chief fathers. The same phrase is more correctly translated in Exodus 6:25 "heads of the fathers." It is, however, probable that הָאָבור (fathers) is a contraction for בֵּית־הַאָבוֹת (fathers' houses). The fathers'…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 36:2My lord. אֲדֹנִי. The singular form is constantly used in Hebrew, as in other languages, together with the plural personal pronoun (see at Genesis 23:6). The deference now paid to Moses (cf. Numbers 32:25, Numbers 32:27…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 36:3Whereunto they are received. Literally, as in the margin, "unto whom ( לָהֶם referring to the men of the tribe) they shall be."Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 36:4When the jubilee of the children of Israel shall be. It is remarkable that this is the only reference by name to the Jubilee ( יוֹבֵל, jubeel; not jubilee, which is the vulgar form of the same word derived from the Lati…Joseph S. Exell and contributors