Numbers 36:3 - Tribal inheritance through marriage?

Numbers 36:3 - במדבר 36:3

Hebrew Text

וְהָיוּ לְאֶחָד מִבְּנֵי שִׁבְטֵי בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל לְנָשִׁים וְנִגְרְעָה נַחֲלָתָן מִנַּחֲלַת אֲבֹתֵינוּ וְנוֹסַף עַל נַחֲלַת הַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר תִּהְיֶינָה לָהֶם וּמִגֹּרַל נַחֲלָתֵנוּ יִגָּרֵעַ׃

English Translation

And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Yisra᾽el, then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they are joined: so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance.

Transliteration

Vehayu le'echad mibnei shivtei venei-yisrael lenashim venigra'ah nachalatam minnachalat avoteinu venosaf al nachalat hammateh asher tihyena lahem umigoral nachalatenu yigare'a.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְ֠הָי֠וּ לְאֶחָ֞ד מִבְּנֵ֨י שִׁבְטֵ֥י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ לְנָשִׁים֒ וְנִגְרְעָ֤ה נַחֲלָתָן֙ מִנַּחֲלַ֣ת אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ וְנוֹסַ֕ף עַ֚ל נַחֲלַ֣ת הַמַּטֶּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּהְיֶ֖ינָה לָהֶ֑ם וּמִגֹּרַ֥ל נַחֲלָתֵ֖נוּ יִגָּרֵֽעַ׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Bamidbar

This verse (Bamidbar 36:3) appears in the context of the daughters of Tzelofchad, who had previously been granted the right to inherit their father's portion in Eretz Yisrael. The leaders of the tribe of Menashe raise a concern that if these women marry men from other tribes, their inherited land would transfer to their husbands' tribes during the Yovel (Jubilee) year, thereby diminishing Menashe's tribal portion.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the tribal leaders were concerned about two potential scenarios:

  • The inheritance would be permanently lost to Menashe when the daughters married into other tribes
  • During the Yovel year, the land would officially transfer to the husband's tribe (based on Vayikra 27:24)

Rashi notes that their concern was motivated by a love for the Land, not by personal interest (Bamidbar 36:3).

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchot Nachalot 1:7-8) derives from this passage several important inheritance laws:

  • Women who inherit land must marry within their father's tribe to preserve tribal boundaries
  • This restriction applies specifically to the generation entering Eretz Yisrael
  • The prohibition was temporary and ended after the initial division of the Land

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Pinchas 9) praises the daughters of Tzelofchad for their wisdom in presenting their case properly before Moshe. It contrasts their proper approach with the tribal leaders' initial hesitation to speak directly about the inheritance issue.

Concept of Tribal Unity

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that this passage teaches the importance of maintaining tribal distinctions in Eretz Yisrael. Each tribe had its unique spiritual role and geographic portion that contributed to the nation's completeness. The concern about inheritance was not merely about land ownership but about preserving the divinely ordained tribal structure.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Numbers 36:3 about?
A: Numbers 36:3 discusses the concern raised by the leaders of the tribe of Menashe regarding the inheritance of the daughters of Tzelofchad. They worried that if these women married men from other tribes, their inherited land would transfer to those tribes, reducing Menashe's portion in Eretz Yisrael. The Torah later establishes a solution to this issue.
Q: Why was inheritance through daughters a concern in the Torah?
A: Inheritance through daughters was a concern because land in Eretz Yisrael was meant to stay within each tribe to maintain the tribal divisions established by Hashem. If women who inherited land married men from other tribes, their land would become part of their husband's tribe, disrupting the original distribution. This is why the Torah later commands that daughters who inherit must marry within their own tribe (Numbers 36:6-9).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 36:3?
A: This verse teaches the importance of preserving the integrity of the tribal inheritances in Eretz Yisrael, showing how seriously the Torah views the divine apportionment of the Land. It also demonstrates how the leaders of Israel sought to uphold Torah principles proactively, ensuring fairness and preventing future disputes, as explained by Rashi and other commentators.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While the laws of tribal inheritance no longer apply today (since the tribal identities were lost after the exile), the principle of safeguarding Jewish continuity and heritage remains relevant. The verse reminds us to value our spiritual and communal legacy, ensuring that future generations remain connected to Torah values and the Jewish people.

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