Numbers 27:8-18

8 "Tell the Israelites, 'If a man dies and has no son, then everything he owned should go to his daughter.

9 If he has no daughter, then everything he owned should go to his brothers.

10 If he has no brothers, then everything he owned should go to his father's brothers.

11 And if his father had no brothers, then everything he owned should go to the nearest relative in his family group. This should be a rule among the people of Israel, as the Lord has given this command to Moses.'"

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Climb this mountain in the Abarim Mountains, and look at the land I have given to the Israelites.

13 After you have seen it, you will die and join your ancestors as your brother Aaron did,

14 because you both acted against my command in the Desert of Zin. You did not honor me as holy before the people at the waters of Meribah." (This was at Meribah in Kadesh in the Desert of Zin.)

15 Moses said to the Lord,

16 "The Lord is the God of the spirits of all people. May he choose a leader for these people,

17 who will go in and out before them. He must lead them out like sheep and bring them in; the Lord's people must not be like sheep without a shepherd."

18 So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, because my Spirit is in him. Put your hand on him,

Numbers 27:8-18 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.