Numeri 27

1 Or le figliuole di Tselofehad, figliuolo di Hefer, figliuolo di Galaad, figliuolo di Makir, figliuolo di Manasse, delle famiglie di Manasse, figliuolo di Giuseppe, che si chiamavano Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah e Thirtsah,

2 si accostarono e si presentarono davanti a Mosè, davanti al sacerdote Eleazar, davanti ai principi e a tutta la raunanza all’ingresso della tenda di convegno, e dissero:

3 "Il padre nostro morì nel deserto, e non fu nella compagnia di quelli che si adunarono contro l’Eterno, non fu della gente di Kore, ma morì a motivo del suo peccato, e non ebbe figliuoli.

4 Perché dovrebbe il nome del padre nostro scomparire di mezzo alla sua famiglia s’egli non ebbe figliuoli? Dacci un possesso in mezzo ai fratelli di nostro padre".

5 E Mosè portò la loro causa davanti all’Eterno.

6 E l’Eterno disse a Mosè:

7 "Le figliuole di Tselofehad dicono bene. Sì, tu darai loro in eredità un possesso tra i fratelli del padre loro, e farai passare ad esse l’eredità del padre loro.

8 Parlerai pure ai figliuoli d’Israele, e dirai: Quand’uno sarà morto senza lasciar figliuolo maschio, farete passare l’eredità sua alla sua figliuola.

9 E, se non ha figliuola, darete la sua eredità ai suoi fratelli.

10 E, se non ha fratelli, darete la sua eredità ai fratelli di suo padre.

11 E, se non ci sono fratelli del padre, darete la sua eredità al parente più stretto nella sua famiglia; quello la possederà. Questo sarà per i figliuoli d’Israele una norma di diritto, come l’Eterno ha ordinato a Mosè".

12 Poi l’Eterno disse a Mosè: "Sali su questo monte di Abarim e contempla il paese che io do ai figliuoli d’Israele.

13 E quando l’avrai veduto, anche tu sarai raccolto presso il tuo popolo, come fu raccolto Aaronne tuo fratello,

14 perché vi ribellaste all’ordine che vi detti nel deserto di Tsin quando la raunanza si mise a contendere, e voi non mi santificaste agli occhi loro, a proposito di quelle acque". Sono le acque della contesa di Kades, nel deserto di Tsin.

15 E Mosè parlò all’Eterno, dicendo:

16 "L’Eterno, l’Iddio degli spiriti d’ogni carne, costituisca su questa raunanza un uomo

17 che esca davanti a loro ed entri davanti a loro, e li faccia uscire e li faccia entrare, affinché la raunanza dell’Eterno non sia come un gregge senza pastore".

18 E l’Eterno disse a Mosè: "Prenditi Giosuè, figliuolo di Nun, uomo in cui è lo spirito; poserai la tua mano su lui,

19 lo farai comparire davanti al sacerdote Eleazar e davanti a tutta la raunanza, gli darai i tuoi ordini in loro presenza,

20 e lo farai partecipe della tua autorità, affinché tutta la raunanza de’ figliuoli d’Israele gli obbedisca.

21 Egli si presenterà davanti al sacerdote Eleazar, che consulterà per lui il giudizio dell’Urim davanti all’Eterno; egli e tutti i figliuoli d’Israele con lui e tutta la raunanza usciranno all’ordine di Eleazar ed entreranno all’ordine suo".

22 E Mosè fece come l’Eterno gli aveva ordinato; prese Giosuè e lo fece comparire davanti al sacerdote Eleazar e davanti a tutta la raunanza;

23 posò su lui le sue mani e gli diede i suoi ordini, come l’Eterno aveva comandato per mezzo di Mosè.

Numeri 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

The daughters of Zelophehad apply for an inheritance, The law of inheritances. (1-11) Moses warned of his death. (12-14) Joshua appointed to succeed Moses. (15-23)

Verses 1-11 The five daughters of Zelophehad considered themselves as left destitute, having neither father nor brother to inherit any land. Their believing expectation that the word of the Lord would be performed in due season, and their desire of an interest in the promised inheritance; and the modest, candid manner in which they asked, without secret murmurs or discontents, are a good example. They ask for a possession in the land of Canaan. Herein they discovered, 1. Strong faith in the power and promise of God, concerning the giving of the land of Canaan to Israel. 2. And earnest desire of a place and name in the land of promise, which was a type of heaven. 3. Respect and honour for their father, whose name was dear to them now he was gone. He never had done any thing that might bar his children's claim. It is a comfort to parents when they come to die, if though they have smarted for their own sin, yet they are not conscious of any of those iniquities which God will visit on their children. God himself gives judgment. He takes notice of the affairs, not only of nations, but of private families, and orders them according to his will. The petition is granted. Those who seek an inheritance in the land of promise, shall have what they seek for, and other things shall be added to them.

Verses 12-14 Moses must die, but he shall have the satisfaction of seeing the land of promise. This sight of Canaan signified his believing prospect of the better country, that is, the heavenly. Moses must die, but death does not cut him off; it only brings him to rest with the holy patriarchs. It is but to die as they died, having lived as they lived; and as their end was peace, why should we fear any evil in the passage of that dark valley?

Verses 15-23 Envious spirits do not love their successors; but Moses was not one of these. We should concern ourselves, both in our prayers and in our endeavours, for the rising generation, that religion may be maintained and advanced, when we are in our graves. God appoints a successor, even Joshua; who had signalized himself by his courage in fighting Amalek, his humility in ministering to Moses, and his faith and sincerity in witnessing against the report of the evil spies. This man God appoints to succeed Moses; a man in whom is the Spirit, the Spirit of grace. He is a good man, fearing God and hating covetousness, and acting from principle. He has the spirit of government; he is fit to do the work and discharge the trusts of his place. He has a spirit of conduct and courage; he had also the Spirit of prophecy. That man is not fully qualified for any service in the church of Christ, who is destitute of the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, whatever human abilities he may possess. And in Joshua's succession we are reminded "that the law was given by Moses," who by reason of our transgression could not bring us to heaven; but "grace and truth came by Jesus Christ," for the salvation of every believer.

Chapter Summary

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.