Numbers 36:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Jewish people were prohibited from marrying outside of their tribe, including individuals from different clans. Thus, when we consider the phrase ‘of the house and fatherland of David’ (Luke 1:27) in relation to the Virgin Mary, the essence of the statement holds true. Additionally, if we refer it to Joseph, the same principle applies to him and, consequently, also to Mary. If Joseph belonged to the lineage and heritage of David, then his spouse was not from another lineage, but rather from the same ancestral line to which he belonged.

If Joseph belonged to this lineage, then Mary shared the same honor, as she was from the same tribe, since the Mosaic Law prohibited intertribal unions. It is commanded to wed someone from the same nation and homeland, to prevent the heritage of the people from shifting between tribes.