Numbers 36:6 Meaning and Explanation
“This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's ruling: Zelophehad's daughters may marry freely, but only within their father's tribe.
The Context of Numbers 36:6
God commands that Zelophehad's daughters may marry freely but only within their tribe.
What Does Numbers 36:6 Mean?
The divine solution balances two values: personal freedom and communal stability. The daughters retain the right to marry according to their own judgment—'whom they think best'—respecting their agency. But that freedom is bounded by one requirement: they must marry within the tribe of Manasseh, preserving both inheritance and family connection.
This ruling is elegant because it solves the tribal concern without denying the daughters' rights or their exceptional inheritance. Women's ability to marry whom they chose was not the norm in ancient Near Eastern law, so this permission represents significant freedom within a necessary cultural boundary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 36:6
What does Numbers 36:6 mean?
God's ruling: Zelophehad's daughters may marry freely, but only within their father's tribe.
What is the context of Numbers 36:6?
God commands that Zelophehad's daughters may marry freely but only within their tribe.