Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Every daughter that possesseth an inheritance] This law affected none but heiresses; all others were at liberty to marry into any of the other tribes. The priests and Levites, who could have no inheritance, were exempt from the operation of this law. Jehoiada had the king of Judah's daughter to wife, 2 Chronicles xxii. 11. And another priest had for wife one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, Ezra ii. 61. "By reason of such marriages," says Mr. Ainsworth, "there might be kindred between Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who was of the daughters of Aaron, and Mary the virgin, the mother of our Lord, who was of the lineage of David, and tribe of Judah;" Luke i. 5, 36; Luke iii. 23-31.
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 וכל3605 בת1323 ירשׁת3423 נחלה5159 ממטות4294 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 לאחד259 ממשׁפחת4940 מטה4294 אביה1 תהיה1961 לאשׁה802 למען4616 יירשׁו3423 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 אישׁ376 נחלת5159 אבתיו׃1
