Numbers 36:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

And that the tribes be not mingled one with another, but remain so
Douay-Rheims

וְלֹֽא־תִסֹּ֧ב נַחֲלָ֛ה מִמַּטֶּ֖ה לְמַטֶּ֣ה אַחֵ֑ר כִּי־אִישׁ֙ בְּנַ֣חֲלָת֔וֹ יִדְבְּק֕וּ מַטּ֖וֹת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

Why did the Lord instruct the tribes to remain separate from one another (Num. 36: 9)? This was to ensure that the lineage of Judah, through whom God had pledged to bring blessings to the nations, would remain undefiled. However, the royal and priestly tribes shared a bond among themselves, as Christ the Lord is both our High Priest and Sovereign within humanity.