Numbers 36:1-13
Q.1. What was to be done with the inheritance of a man who had no living son? How did the inherited land stay in the tribe and family? – (Num.36:1-13 c.f. Num.27:1-11)
The family’s land in the Promised Land generally passed down from father to son. However, God had made an exception for Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh, whose allotted inheritance passed down to his daughters, since he had no son. The tribal leaders spoke to Moses and Israel’s leaders and projected the problem of the loss of the inheritance, should the women marry outside their own tribe (the inheritance would then pass on to the men). Half of the tribe of Manasseh settled east of Jordan, whereas the other half took possession west of Jordan, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Moses then gave this ruling according to the Word of the Lord – … `Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.’ (Num.36:6). Several other guidelines were initiated, in order to ensure that – no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance.” (Num.36:9). This applied to all the tribes.