Numbers 27:1-9

A Law of Inheritance

1 Then 1the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph, came near; and these are 2the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah.
2 They stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and all the congregation, at the doorway of the tent of meeting, saying,
3 "Our father 3died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and 4he had no sons.
4 "Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers."
5 5So Moses brought their case before the LORD.
6 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
7 "6The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements. You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father's brothers, and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them.
8 "Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
9 'If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.

Numbers 27:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 27

This chapter relates, that, upon a petition of the daughters of Zelophehad, the affair of inheritances was settled; and it is directed that, in case of want of male issue, inheritances should pass to females, and in failure of them to the next of kin, whether father's brethren or any near kinsman, Nu 27:1-11, also an order to Moses to go up to the Mount Abarim, and take a view of the good land, and die; with the reason of it, Nu 27:12-14, upon which Moses desires a successor of him might be appointed, Nu 27:15-17, in answer to which Joshua is nominated, and being presented before the high priest and the people, was invested with his office, by imposition of hands, and had his charge given him, Nu 27:18-23.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Numbers 26:33; Numbers 36:1
  • 2. Numbers 26:33
  • 3. Numbers 26:64, 65
  • 4. Numbers 26:33
  • 5. Numbers 9:8; Numbers 27:21
  • 6. Numbers 36:2; Joshua 17:4
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