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THE heads] in Greeke, the Princes, that is, the [unspec 1] chiefe fathers. God having designed the limits of the holy land which Israel should inherit, in Numb. 34. and appointed his owne portion out of the same, to be given unto the Priests and Levites, Numb. 35. doth now conclude his lawes with an or∣dinance
for the setled continuing of the inheritan∣ces unto the tribes, as they should at first be allotted unto them. The occasion of this ordinance is a complaint made by some of the Manassites, concer∣ning Zelophehads daughters, if they should be ma∣ried to men of other tribes. Gilead] in Greeke, Galaad, of whom see Numb. 27. 1.
Vers. 2. my lord] meaning Moses, for to him [unspec 2] was the commandement given, Numb. 26. 52, 53. &c. and 27. 6, 7. And by this title they give ho∣nour unto Moses, and shew their obedience; as the Scripture noteth by the like title given unto o∣thers, 1 Pet. 3. 6. Matth. 22. 44, 45. Zelo∣phehad] in Greeke, Salpaad: See Numb. 27. 1, &c.
Vers. 3. of the tribes] of any of the other tribes, beside their owne. be taken away] or, be dimi∣nished; [unspec 3] contrary to adding or putting to, after men∣tioned: so the inheritances of this, and of other tribes by like accidents might in time be changed, disturbed, and come to confusion, contrary to the order before set of God.
Vers. 4. the Iubilee shall be] which was every fiftieth yeare, in which the inheritances that were [unspec 4] alienated to others, were by the law given in Lev. 25. to returne unto the first owners; which ordi∣nance also should by such marriages be disanulled.
Vers. 5. the mouth] that is, the word of the Lord, as the Chaldee translateth; in Greeke, by the com∣mandement [unspec 5] of the Lord. So the answer which Mo∣ses gave, was not of himselfe, but by advice from God: See Numb. 27. 5.
Vers. 6. good in their eyes] that is, pleaseth them: Daughters are not to be forced to marry with such [unspec 6] as they like not: See Gen. 24. 57, 58. to the family] to some of the family, or, in the family: See vers. 12.
Vers. 7. shall cleave to the inheritance] keeping himselfe thereto, and (for the better performance [unspec 7] hereof) marrying within his tribe. For this word cleave, is often used in case of marriage, Gen. 2. 24. Dan. 2. 43. Thus God provideth that the order which he should set for the inheritāces in his land, to be divided by lot, might continue throughout all generations; by which meanes strife also might be cut off, and peace preserved among his people.
Vers. 8. that possesseth an inheritance] or, that is [unspec 8] heire of a possession; by reason that her father had no sonne to inherit, as in this case of Zelophehad. So here is no restraint of other women, save such as had inheritance. The Priests also and Levites, (which might have no inheritance with Israel, Deut. 18. 1.) had liberty to marry with the women of any tribe; as Iehojada the Priest had to wife the Kings daughter of Iudah, 2 Chron. 22. 11. another tooke a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gilea∣dite, Ezra 2. 61. and the like. By reason of such marriages there might be kindred betweene Eliza∣beth the mother of Iohn the Baptist, who was of the daughters of Aaron, and Mary the Virgin, the mother of our Lord Christ, who was of the linage of David, of the tribe of Iudah, Luke 1. 5. 36. and 3. 23,—31.
Vers. 11. For Machalh] Hebr. And Mach∣lah, [unspec 11] &c. Of these daughters see Numb. 27. 1. their uncles sonnes] the sonnes of their fathers bre∣thren. Compare Levit. 18. 12, 13, 14.
Vers. 12. was unto the tribe] that is, remained [unspec 12] unto (or in) the tribe. So Daniel was (that is, con∣tinued) even unto the first yeare of King Cyrus, Dan. 1. 21. and, they were (that is, continued) there, Ruth 1. 2. and sundry the like. By this example and ob∣servation of the Law for inheritances in the holy land, the people of God are taught to hold fast their inheritance in his promises, and right in Christ, which they enjoy by faith; that as the Father hath made them meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Coloss. 1. 12. so they may keepe the faith and grace which they have obtained, unto the end, 1 King. 21. 3. Ezek. 46. 18. Iude vers. 3. Hebr. 6. 12.
I Will bring forth out of Jakob a seed, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountaines, and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
I will bring you into the wildernesse of peoples, and there will I plead with you face to face, like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wildernesse of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to passe under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant, &c.
Christ, he is the Mediator of the New * 1.1 Covenant, that by meanes of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Covenant, they which are called, might receive the pro∣mise of the eternall inheritance.
Or, Testa∣ment.