John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. This is the thing which the Lord doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad , etc.] Concerning this affair relative to them; the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases the words, “not for the generations that rise up after the division of the land, but for the daughters of Zelophehad;” as if this order only respected them, or what might happen before the land was divided, but not after; and this is the general opinion of the Jewish writers; but it seems, that as the following law not only concerns them, but all heiresses, so all such after as well as before the division of the land, since the reason of it holds good after as before: saying, let them marry to whom they think best ; whom they like best, who are most acceptable to them; as it was reasonable they should, and not have such forced upon them, whose persons were disagreeable to them: only into the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry ; they were to marry not only such as were of the tribe of Manasseh, but of their father’s family in that tribe; they could only marry into the family of the Hepherites; (see Numbers 26:32,33).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 on tribe enriched at the expense of another. Each tribe was to keep to it own inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad submitted to thi appointment. How could they fail to marry well, when God himsel directed them? Let the people of God learn how suitable and proper i is, like the daughters of Israel, to be united only to their ow 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 onl to such as are united to the Lord? All our intentions and inclination 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 no sanction that foolish, ungovernable, and idolatrous passion, whic cares not what may be the end; but in defiance of authority, determine upon self-gratification. All such conduct, however disguised, i against common sense, the interests of society, the happiness of the marriage relation, and, what is still more evil, against the religio of Christ.
Original Hebrew זה2088 הדבר1697 אשׁר834 צוה6680 יהוה3068 לבנות1323 צלפחד6765 לאמר559 לטוב2896 בעיניהם5869 תהיינה1961 לנשׁים802 אך389 למשׁפחת4940 מטה4294 אביהם1 תהיינה1961 לנשׁים׃802
