Why does patrilineal descent determine who is royalty?

Question

In the Jewish Virtual Library, I came across this:

For tribal affiliation, priestly status and royalty, patrilineal descent determines membership.

I'm specifically interested in the aspect of royalty. Where (either in the Tanakh or the Oral Torah) is this outlined? Is rationale given in that particular source? If not, what rationale is commonly offered, if any?

It's worth noting that the rule was usually followed (absent insurgency). (See Kings, passim.) — msh210, May 17 '15 at 06:04
That the crown passes through the male line. (Which kinda implies that there are no queens, but that's a different issue.) — msh210, May 17 '15 at 06:09

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:41

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The halacha is that there cannot be a female king. Rambam brings this halacha in Melachim uMilchamot 1:5

אין מעמידין אשה במלכות שנאמר עליך מלך ולא מלכה.

We do not raise a woman to kingship, as it says "over you a king" and not a queen.

(Translation mine)

The verse that he is citing is Devarim 17:15 which says that Israel may appoint a king. He makes a diyuk in the language "king" to the exclusion of a queen.

Since the ruler must be male, it wouldn't make much sense for royalty to be passed matrilineally.

edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:41

Community

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answered May 17 '15 at 05:42

Daniel

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If a king only has one child (female) and that daughter has a son, why doesn't the grandson take over instead of the king's brother? – Double AA May 17 '15 at 06:27
I think that's a קושיא on the question more than on the answer. – Daniel May 17 '15 at 06:31
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?? How so? [15] – Double AA May 17 '15 at 06:42

Einbert Alshtein · Answer 2 · 2015-05-17T09:19:42.210

The Rambam brings the Midrash Sifri on Deuteronomy (17, 16) "שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ" that says: "A king and not a queen", and writes that a woman cannot be appointed to be "king".

Regarding the heritage rules:

When a king dies, his son will rule under him (see Gemara, Kritut, 5), as outlined in Deuteronomy (17, 20):

לְמַעַן יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים עַל מַמְלַכְתּוֹ הוּא וּבָנָיו בְּקֶרֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל

If he has several sons, the oldest will succeed. If his son is a Katan, the throne "waits" for him to come of age. If he has no sons, the same rules that apply to heritage priority detailed in Bamidbar (chapter 27) will be considered.

A succedding son must be Yerei Shamaim (observant) in order to be worthy of taking over the throne.

What if a king has only daughters? – Double AA May 17 '15 at 13:10 — Double AA, May 17 '15 at 13:10

Why does patrilineal descent determine who is royalty?

2 Answers2