Numbers – Chapter 36

Old Testament13 Verses

1And the princes of the families of Galaad, the son of Machir, the son of Manasses, of the stock of the children of Joseph, came and spoke to Moses before the princes of Israel, and said:

2The Lord hath commanded thee, my lord, that thou shouldst divide the land by lot to the children of Israel, and that thou shouldst give to the daughters of Salphaad our brother the possession due to their father:

3Now if men of another tribe take them to wives, their possession will follow them, and being transferred to another tribe, will be a diminishing of our inheritance.

4And so it shall come to pass, that when the jubilee, the is, the fiftieth year of remission, is come, the distribution made by the lots shall be confounded, and the possession of the one shall pass to the others.

5Moses answered the children of Israel, and said by the command of the Lord: The tribe of the children of Joseph hath spoken rightly.

6And this is the law promulgated by the Lord touching the daughters of Salphaad: Let them marry to whom they will, only so that it be to men of their own tribe.

7Lest the possession of the children of Israel be mingled from tribe to tribe. For all men shall marry wives of their own tribe and kindred:

8And all women shall take husbands of the same tribe: that the inheritance may remain in the families.

9And that the tribes be not mingled one with another, but remain so

10As they were separated by the Lord. And the daughters of Salphaad did as was commanded:

11And Maala, and Thersa, and Hegla, and Melcha, and Noa were married to the sons of their uncle by their father

12Of the family of Manasses, who was the son of Joseph: and the possession that had been allotted to them, remained in the tribe and family of their father.

13These are the commandments and judgment, which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to the children of Israel, in the plains of Moab upon the Jordan over against Jericho.

Reflection for Today

In Numbers Chapter 36, we encounter the continuing revelation of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness. The Catholic Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has always treasured these sacred texts. the Church sees Israel's journey as an image of our pilgrimage to heaven (CIC 2119). The central message—God guides His people through the desert—speaks to believers in every age.

The Magisterium teaches that Scripture must be interpreted in light of the whole of revelation and the Church's living Tradition. The Catechism emphasizes that "the task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone" (CIC 85). This does not limit our engagement with Scripture but ensures its proper understanding.

As you reflect on this chapter, consider how its message applies to your life today. The Word of God is living and active, capable of transforming hearts and renewing minds. Through prayer and meditation, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through these ancient yet ever-new words.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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