Numbers 36 · Verse 5

Numbers 36:5

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.
Numbers 36:5, King James Version

Numbers 36:5 in other translations

BSBSo at the word of the LORD, Moses commanded the Israelites: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly.
WEBMoses commanded the children of Israel according to the LORD’s word, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speak what is right.
ASVAnd Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of Jehovah, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaketh right.
YLTAnd Moses commandeth the sons of Israel, by the command of Jehovah, saying, ‘Rightly are the tribe of the sons of Joseph speaking;
DARBYAnd Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of Jehovah, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.
BBESo by the direction of the Lord, Moses gave orders to the children of Israel, saying, What the tribe of the sons of Joseph have said is right.
WebsterAnd Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph hath said well.

What does Numbers 36:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 36:5-12
5-12. Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the Lord--The plea appeared just and reasonable; and, accordingly an enactment was made by which the daughters of Zelophehad, while left to the free choice of their husbands, were restricted to marry not only within their own tribe, but within the family of their father's tribe--that is, one of their cousins. This restriction, however, was imposed only on those who were heiresses. The law was not applicable to daughters in different circumstances (1Ch 23:22)--for they might marry into another tribe; but if they did so, they were liable to forfeit their patrimonial inheritance, which, on the death of their father or brothers, went to the nearest of the family kinsmen. Here was an instance of progressive legislation (see also Ex 18:27) in Israel, the enactments made being suggested by circumstances. But it is deserving of special notice that those additions to, or modifications of, the law were confined to civil affairs; while the slightest change was inadmissible in the laws relating to worship or the maintenance of religion.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Numbers 36:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיְצַ֤וvay.Tzavand he commandedH6680
מֹשֶׁה֙mo.ShehMosesH4872
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
בְּנֵ֣יbe.Nei[the] people ofH1121
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElIsraelH3478
עַל\־'al-onH5921
פִּ֥יpi[the] mouth ofH6310
יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahwehH3068
לֵאמֹ֑רle.Mor<to> sayingH559
כֵּ֛ןkenrightH3651
מַטֵּ֥הma.Teh[the] tribe ofH4294
בְנֵֽי\־ve.nei-[the] descendants ofH1121
יוֹסֵ֖ףyo.SefJosephH3130
דֹּבְרִֽים\׃doe.Rim[is] speakingH1696

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Numbers 36:5

  • 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
hath said well.
27:7; De 5:28

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Numbers 36:4

    And when the jubile of the children of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be put unto the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they are received: so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.

  • Numbers 36:5

    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.

  • Numbers 36:6

    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.

Read all of Numbers 36

Numbers 36:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces Moisés mandó á los hijos de Israel por dicho de Jehová, diciendo: La tribu de los hijos de José habla rectamente.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Moïse commanda aux fils d’Israël, sur le commandement de l’ Éternel, disant: La tribu des fils de Joseph a dit juste.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da gebot Mose den Kindern Israel, nach dem Befehle Jehovas, und sprach: Der Stamm der Kinder Joseph redet recht.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Respondit Moyses filiis Israël, et Domino præcipiente ait: Recte tribus filiorum Joseph locuta est.