Literary Devices – Bemidbar 36

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Tanakh Lab demonstrates that the word “מַטֶּה” appears 14 times in this chapter. The usage of this key word emphasizes the centrality of the notion of the tribe to the resolution of the story of the daughters of Tzelafchad; portions of land must remain within the tribal unit.

The phrase “כֵּן מַטֵּה בְנֵי יוֹסֵף דֹּבְרִים” (Bemidbar 36:5) alludes to the similar phrase “‏כֵּן בְּנוֹת צְלׇפְחָד דֹּבְרֹת” (Bemidbar 27:7) Recognizing the equal validity of the claim of both the individual women and the tribes as a whole, Moshe sets forth the halakhic solution that takes into account both perspectives.
Article – See למה נגרע?! - בין פסח שני לבנות צלפחד, by R. Gad Eldad, for analysis of how the Torah teaches about the correct balance between individual and communal interests in the narratives of Tzelafchad's daughters and of Pesach Sheni. The individual is justified in bringing his demand, but must also recognize that the legitimacy of his claim derives from his status as a member of the community. Bemidbar 27 and 36 present competing claims regarding the land of Tzelafchad’s family, which are then harmonized as Moshe determines that the daughters be granted land but only provided that they marry within their tribe