Numbers – Chapter 36

Old Testament13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 36 of Numbers begins: "And 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…" The chapter centers on Joseph, Moses and Manasses. Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

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.

Important Verses in Numbers 36

And 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:

Numbers 36:1

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

Numbers 36:5

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

Numbers 36:10

These 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.

Numbers 36:13

Historical Context

Numbers addresses israel on the threshold of the Promised Land, warned by the failures of the wilderness generation within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 36 of 36 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Joseph, Moses and Manasses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And the princes of the families of Galaad, the son of Machir, the son of Manasses, of the stock of the children of…" The chapter ends with: "These are the commandments and judgment, which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to the children of Israel, in…" In terms of historical background, Numbers takes its name from the two censuses of Israel and covers nearly forty years of wandering between Sinai and the plains of Moab. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing

When It Was Written

Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Numbers 36 presents a concrete episode in the history of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And 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…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 854). Here, the Church sees Israel's journey as an image of our pilgrimage to heaven (CIC 2119). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God guides His people through the desert. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Numbers 36 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Joseph3 mentionsMoses3 mentionsManasses2 mentions

Reflection for Today

In Numbers Chapter 36, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Numbers Chapter 36 supports that call by drawing attention to redemptive suffering united to the Cross within the wider message that God guides His people through the desert.

As you continue through Numbers, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Numbers Chapter 36 about?

Numbers 36 contains 13 verses. It opens with "And the princes of the families of Galaad, the son of Machir, the son of Manasses, of the stock of the children of…" and closes with "These are the commandments and judgment, which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to the children of Israel, in…". The book as a whole is narrative, census lists, and law.

What is a key verse in Numbers 36?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And 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,…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Numbers Chapter 36?

This chapter mentions Joseph, Moses, Manasses.

Who wrote Numbers and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing. Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

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