Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then at the LORD’s command Moses gave this order to the Israelites: “What the tribe of the descendants of Joseph is saying is right. New Living Translation So Moses gave the Israelites this command from the LORD: “The claim of the men of the tribe of Joseph is legitimate. English Standard Version And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, “The tribe of the people of Joseph is right. Berean Standard Bible So at the word of the LORD, Moses commanded the Israelites: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly. Berean Literal Bible And Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of YHWH, saying, “Rightly the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks. King James Bible And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well. New King James Version Then Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: “What the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks is right. New American Standard Bible Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel in accordance with the word of the LORD, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph is right in its statements. NASB 1995 Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements. NASB 1977 Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements. Legacy Standard Bible Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of Yahweh, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements. Amplified Bible Then Moses commanded the Israelites in accordance with the word of the LORD, saying, “The statement of the tribe of the sons of Joseph is correct. Berean Annotated Bible So at the word of the LORD {YHWH}, Moses (drawn out) commanded the Israelites (God prevails): “The tribe of the sons of Joseph (YHWH has added) speaks correctly. Christian Standard Bible So Moses commanded the Israelites at the word of the LORD, “What the tribe of Joseph’s descendants says is right. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Moses commanded the Israelites at the word of the LORD, “What the tribe of Joseph’s descendants says is right. American Standard Version And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of Jehovah, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right. Contemporary English Version So Moses told the people that the LORD had said: These men from the Manasseh tribe are right. English Revised Version And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right. GOD'S WORD® Translation So Moses gave the Israelites a command from the LORD. "The tribe of Joseph's descendants is right. Good News Translation So Moses gave the people of Israel the following command from the LORD. He said, "What the tribe of Manasseh says is right, International Standard Version So Moses issued the Israelis these orders based on what the LORD said: "The tribe of the descendants of Joseph has spoken. NET Bible Then Moses gave a ruling to the Israelites by the word of the LORD: "What the tribe of the Josephites is saying is right. New Heart English Bible Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks right. Webster's Bible Translation And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo at the word of the LORD, Moses commanded the Israelites: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly. World English Bible Moses commanded the children of Israel according to Yahweh’s word, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speak what is right. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Moses commands the sons of Israel by the command of YHWH, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph is speaking correctly; Berean Literal Bible And Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of YHWH, saying, “Rightly the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks. Young's Literal Translation And Moses commandeth the sons of Israel, by the command of Jehovah, saying, 'Rightly are the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaking; Smith's Literal Translation And Moses will command the sons of Israel by the mouth of Jehovah, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph are speaking well. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMoses answered the children of Israel, and said by the command of the Lord: The tribe of the children of Joseph hath spoken rightly. Catholic Public Domain Version Moses answered the sons of Israel, and, at the instruction of the Lord, he said: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph has spoken correctly. New American Bible So Moses commanded the Israelites at the direction of the LORD: “The tribe of the Josephites are right in what they say. New Revised Standard Version Then Moses commanded the Israelites according to the word of the LORD, saying, “The descendants of the tribe of Joseph are right in what they are saying. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph has said well. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Moshe commanded the children of Israel from the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH and said: “The tribe of the children of Yoseph is speaking justly. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying: 'The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Moses charged the children of Israel by the commandment of the Lord, saying, Thus says the tribe of the children of Joseph. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Zelophehad's Daughters Marry…4And when the Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to the tribe into which they marry and taken away from the tribe of our fathers.” 5So at the word of the LORD, Moses commanded the Israelites: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly. 6This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father.… Cross References So at the word of the LORD, Numbers 9:23 They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses. Exodus 24:4 And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Exodus 40:16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him. Moses commanded the Israelites: Exodus 35:1 Then Moses assembled the whole congregation of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do: Numbers 15:37-38 And the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. Deuteronomy 4:1 Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. “The tribe of the sons of Joseph Genesis 48:5 And now your two sons born to you in Egypt before I came to you here shall be reckoned as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. Numbers 26:28-37 The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim. / These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead. / These were the descendants of Gilead: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek, … Joshua 16:4 So Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, received their inheritance. speaks correctly. Numbers 27:7 “The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them. Deuteronomy 5:28 And the LORD heard the words you spoke to me, and He said to me, “I have heard the words that these people have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. Deuteronomy 18:17 Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well. Numbers 27:1-11 Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached / the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, / “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. … Joshua 17:3-6 But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. / They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD. / Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan, … Deuteronomy 21:15-17 If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. Ruth 4:5-10 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. … Treasury of Scripture And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph has said well. hath said well Numbers 27:7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. Deuteronomy 5:28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. Jump to Previous Children Command Commanded Commandeth Direction Israel Israelites Joseph Lord's Order Orders Right Rightly Speaketh Speaking Speaks Statements Tribe WordJump to Next Children Command Commanded Commandeth Direction Israel Israelites Joseph Lord's Order Orders Right Rightly Speaketh Speaking Speaks Statements Tribe WordNumbers 36 1. The inheritance of daughters is remedied by marrying in their own tribes7. Lest the inheritance should be removed from the tribe 10. The daughters of Zelophehad marry their father's brothers' sons So at the word of the LORD This phrase emphasizes the divine authority behind Moses' actions. Throughout the Pentateuch, Moses is depicted as a prophet who communicates God's will to the people. This underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The phrase also highlights the direct communication between God and Moses, which is a unique aspect of Moses' leadership. This divine guidance is crucial for maintaining order and justice among the Israelites. Moses commanded the Israelites The tribe of the sons of Joseph Speaks correctly Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses acts as a mediator, conveying God's commands to the people. 2. The Israelites The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are the recipients of God's laws and promises. 3. The Tribe of Joseph This refers to the descendants of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. In this context, it specifically involves the families of Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph's sons, who are concerned about inheritance laws. 4. The Word of the LORD This phrase emphasizes the divine authority behind Moses' command. It signifies that the instructions given are not merely human decisions but are rooted in God's will. 5. Inheritance Laws The context of this verse involves the laws concerning the inheritance of land among the tribes of Israel, particularly addressing concerns about land remaining within the tribe. Teaching Points Divine Authority in LeadershipMoses' command is based on the word of the LORD, reminding us that true leadership in the church should be grounded in Scripture and divine guidance. Importance of Inheritance The concern of the tribe of Joseph highlights the significance of spiritual inheritance. Believers are called to preserve and pass on the faith to future generations. Community and Unity The resolution of the inheritance issue underscores the need for unity and cooperation within the body of Christ, ensuring that all members are cared for and that God's commands are upheld. Obedience to God's Commands The Israelites' adherence to God's instructions through Moses serves as a model for our obedience to God's Word today. Justice and Fairness The passage reflects God's concern for justice and fairness, principles that should guide our interactions and decisions within the church and society. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Numbers 36:5?2. How does Numbers 36:5 demonstrate God's concern for justice and fairness? 3. What role does Moses play in implementing God's commands in Numbers 36:5? 4. How does Numbers 36:5 connect to the broader theme of inheritance in Scripture? 5. How can we apply the principles of fairness from Numbers 36:5 today? 6. What does Numbers 36:5 teach about obedience to God's directives in community matters? 7. How does Numbers 36:5 reflect God's justice in inheritance laws? 8. What does Numbers 36:5 reveal about God's concern for family lineage? 9. How does Numbers 36:5 address the balance between tribal identity and individual rights? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 36? 11. Is there any archaeological or historical evidence outside the Bible to confirm or corroborate these specific inheritance rules in Numbers 36? 12. Why does this ritual seem to assume the woman is guilty until proven innocent (Numbers 5)? 13. Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that this trial by ordeal was actually used (Numbers 5)? 14. If Moses wrote the Torah, why are there anachronisms such as references to kings in Genesis? What Does Numbers 36:5 Mean So at the word of the LORDWhen the tribal leaders brought their concern, Moses did not lean on his own wisdom; he sought and waited for God’s direction. Only after hearing from the LORD does he respond. That phrase anchors the passage in divine authority, reminding us that: • Every decision about inheritance and justice came straight from God’s mouth (Numbers 27:5; Deuteronomy 34:10–12). • Israel could move forward confidently because “the word of the LORD is upright” (Psalm 33:4). • Even Moses, the greatest prophet of his day, never acted independently (Exodus 17:1). Moses’ posture underscores a timeless principle: leadership listens first, then acts. The same pattern appears in Acts 13:2 when the early church heard the Spirit before sending missionaries. Moses commanded the Israelites Once God spoke, Moses turned revelation into instruction. His role was to translate heaven’s verdict into boots-on-the-ground obedience. • “Moses relayed to them all that the LORD had said” (Exodus 34:32). • He expected prompt action, just as later Joshua would command the people at the Jordan “according to all that Moses had commanded” (Joshua 1:10–11). • By issuing a command, Moses treated God’s word as non-negotiable, preserving unity and preventing inter-tribal conflict (Numbers 30:1). This flow—God speaks, Moses commands, people obey—builds a culture where Scripture governs every arena, including civil matters like land ownership (Deuteronomy 4:1–2). The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly God affirms that the concern raised by Manasseh’s leaders is valid. The daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1–7) could inherit, but if they married outside the tribe, the land would shift permanently. The LORD confirms the tribe’s insight and then provides a practical safeguard (Numbers 36:6–9). • Divine affirmation shows God values thoughtful, righteous appeals (Proverbs 15:22; Acts 15:28). • Tribal boundaries mattered because they preserved each family’s place in the covenant promise (Joshua 13-19). • God honors both individual rights (the daughters’ inheritance) and communal integrity (the tribe’s portion). By declaring, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly,” the LORD models a balanced approach: listen, weigh, affirm truth, and then legislate. summary Numbers 36:5 marks a pivotal moment where God validates a legitimate concern and turns it into law. The verse teaches that decisions anchored in God’s word bring clarity, leaders must transmit that word faithfully, and righteous appeals find a hearing with the LORD. The land stayed with the tribe, the daughters kept their inheritance, and Israel saw again that Scripture speaks authoritatively into every detail of life. (5) And Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the Lord.--In regard to the application made by the daughters of Zelophehad to Moses and Eleazar and the princes, it is said that "Moses brought their cause before the Lord" (Numbers 27:5). In the present case there is no express declaration made to the same effect; but there can be no doubt that the statement contained in this verse, that Moses commanded the children of Israel "according to the word of the Lord," and that contained in Numbers 36:6, "This is the thing which the Lord doth command," imply that Moses had committed this cause also to the Lord, and that he had received direction from Him.Verse 5. - The tribe of the sons of Joseph. "The tribe (matteh) of the Beni-Joseph." There were two, or rather in effect three, tribes of the Beni-Joseph; Moses referred, of course, to the one which had come before him.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So atעַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the word פִּ֥י (pî) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of the LORD, יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Moses מֹשֶׁה֙ (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver commanded וַיְצַ֤ו (way·ṣaw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order the Israelites: בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son “The tribe מַטֵּ֥ה (maṭ·ṭêh) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe of the sons בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of Joseph יוֹסֵ֖ף (yō·w·sêp̄) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites speaks דֹּבְרִֽים׃ (dō·ḇə·rîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue correctly. כֵּ֛ן (kên) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 3651: So -- thus Links Numbers 36:5 NIVNumbers 36:5 NLT Numbers 36:5 ESV Numbers 36:5 NASB Numbers 36:5 KJV Numbers 36:5 BibleApps.com Numbers 36:5 Biblia Paralela Numbers 36:5 Chinese Bible Numbers 36:5 French Bible Numbers 36:5 Catholic Bible OT Law: Numbers 36:5 Moses commanded the children of Israel according (Nu Num.) |
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