5 Moses, at God's command, issued this order to the People of Israel: "What the tribe of the sons of Joseph says is right. 6 This is God's command to Zelophehad's daughters: They are free to marry anyone they choose as long as they marry within their ancestral clan. 7 The inheritance-land of the People of Israel must not get passed around from tribe to tribe. No, keep the tribal inheritance-land in the family. 8 Every daughter who inherits land, regardless of the tribe she is in, must marry a man from within her father's tribal clan. Every Israelite is responsible for making sure the inheritance stays within the ancestral tribe. 9 No inheritance-land may be passed from tribe to tribe; each tribe of the People of Israel must hold tight to its own land." 10 Zelophehad's daughters did just as God commanded Moses. 11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, Zelophehad's daughters, all married their cousins on their father's side. 12 They married within the families of Manasseh son of Joseph and their inheritance-lands stayed in their father's family.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 36:5-12
Commentary on Numbers 36:5-12
(Read Numbers 36:5-12)
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.