Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 36:8. It's a really important passage about how families and inheritance are structured in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about ensuring that the descendants of Abraham (and therefore, all the Israelites) have a stable and connected family line. It’s designed to promote unity within the community. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Numbers 36:8” : This refers to a specific situation in the Old Testament – when Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons (and later, the father of Jesus), was sold into slavery in Egypt. He had a son named Benjamin. “And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel” : This means that any girl born within the lineage of the Israelites – regardless of her parentage (even from other tribes) - would be assigned to one of the tribes. The “inheritance” refers to a family’s wealth and status within the community. “shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father” : This is the key part. The girl will marry someone from the same tribe as her father . Think of it like this: She'll get to inherit from that tribe’s traditions, history, and connections. “that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers” : This is the goal . The purpose of this arrangement is for the entire nation of Israel to have a strong and unified family line, passing on their heritage and blessings to future generations. It’s about ensuring that the descendants of Abraham, and all the Israelites, continue to be connected and prosper. In short: This verse establishes a system where women from different tribes are assigned to families within the same tribe as their fathers, creating a network for the Israelites to maintain continuity and prosperity. It's about building a strong, connected community rooted in family history. Why is this important? This concept was crucial for maintaining social order and unity among the scattered Israelites after their Exodus from Egypt. It helped prevent internal conflict and ensured that the descendants of Abraham would have a shared identity and legacy. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to a broader theme in the Bible (like family, inheritance, or unity)?