Numbers 36:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Any daughter with an inheritance must marry within her father's tribe so every Israelite retains their paternal inheritance.
The Context of Numbers 36:8
The law applies to all daughters with inheritance; they must marry within their tribe.
What Does Numbers 36:8 Mean?
This rule extends beyond Zelophehad's daughters to all future cases: whenever a woman inherits land due to lack of male heirs, she too must marry within her tribe. The law creates a stable precedent that protects both individual rights (inheritance for daughters without brothers) and communal stability (tribal lands remain within tribes).
The rationale is explicitly tied to the welfare of 'every man'—not excluding women, but emphasizing that each person's right to inherit from their father depends on tribal boundaries being honored. The rule ensures exceptional cases don't gradually undermine the foundational promise of tribal land possession.
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 36:8
What does Numbers 36:8 mean?
Any daughter with an inheritance must marry within her father's tribe so every Israelite retains their paternal inheritance.
What is the context of Numbers 36:8?
The law applies to all daughters with inheritance; they must marry within their tribe.