Numbers 36:10 meaning

In this verse, we see an emphasis on faithful obedience to God’s instruction: “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did” (v.10). The daughters of Zelophehad, who came from the tribe of Manasseh, were instructed to marry within their own tribe so that the inheritance allotted to them from their father Zelophehad would remain within the tribal boundaries (Numbers 27:7-8 NASB-95). This is set in the broader context of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness, approximately 1446–1406 BC, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. By acting faithfully in accordance with Moses—who led Israel from around 1446 BC until his death in 1406 BC—the daughters showed a heart of compliance that kept the tribal distinctions established by God intact.

The phrase “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses” (v.10) also reveals the continuity of leadership and instruction among the Israelites, underscoring that God is the true lawgiver and Moses was His designated messenger. Geographically, these events took place east of the Jordan River, near the Plains of Moab, where Israel camped before crossing into Canaan (Numbers 33:48–49 NASB-95). The daughters’ decision served as a practical demonstration of honoring both God’s law and their family’s legacy. Their obedience is reminiscent of many biblical examples where acting on God’s directive brings blessings and unity within the community (John 14:15 NASB-95).

In a broader theological sense, the willingness of Zelophehad’s daughters to follow God’s instructions points to the importance of preserving the inheritance that God bestows, a theme later reflected in the New Testament, where all believers share in an inheritance through Christ (Ephesians 1:11 NASB-95). The obedient act of these women ensured that generations to come would stand on a strong foundation in the land God promised, symbolizing the permanence of His covenant with His people and foreshadowing the enduring nature of the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ.