Definition: And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Numbers 36:2. It’s a really important part of the story of the Israelites’ wandering in the desert after being released from slavery in Egypt. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says: “When the Israelites were leaving Egypt, God told Pharaoh to give the land to the children of Israel as an inheritance. But, God also commanded Pharaoh to give the land to Zelophehad’s brother’s daughters.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "When the Israelites were leaving Egypt..." : This sets the scene – they were escaping a difficult time and being led out of slavery. "...God commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance..." : God was telling Pharaoh that He wanted to give the land to the Israelites as a gift, a place to live and thrive. This wasn't just about giving them a land; it meant they’d have a whole land. "...to the children of Israel" : This refers to the group of people God had chosen to be the recipients of this blessing. "My lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters." : This is the crucial part. “My lord” means Pharaoh. The Lord (God) told Pharaoh to give the land to Zelophehad’s brother’s daughters. Why is this important? This story highlights a key point in God's plan: He chooses who receives the blessings. It shows that God has a specific plan for how He wants to bless His people, and it emphasizes that He doesn't always make decisions unilaterally. It’s a reminder that God’s will is very important. In short, this verse tells us that God decided who would receive the land as an inheritance, and he made that decision with a specific instruction. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide context about why this story is significant in biblical history? Offer a simpler analogy to help understand it?