Numbers 27:1-11

Zelophehad’s daughters’ inheritance

1 The daughters of Zelophehad, Hepher's son, Gilead's grandson, Machir's great-grandson, and Manasseh's great-great-grandson, belonging to the clan of Manasseh and son of Joseph, came forward. His daughters' names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

2 They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chiefs, and the entire community at the entrance of the meeting tent and said,

3 "Our father died in the desert. He wasn't part of the community who gathered against the LORD with Korah's community. He died for his own sin, but he had no sons.

4 Why should our father's name be taken away from his clan because he didn't have a son? Give us property among our father's brothers."

5 Moses brought their case before the LORD.

6 The LORD said to Moses:

7 Zelophehad's daughters are right in what they are saying. By all means, give them property as an inheritance among their father's brothers. Hand over their father's inheritance to them.

8 Speak to the Israelites and say: If a man dies and doesn't have a son, you must hand his inheritance over to his daughters.

9 If he doesn't have a daughter, you will give his inheritance to his brothers.

10 If he doesn't have any brothers, you should give his inheritance to his father's brothers.

11 If his father had no brothers, you should give his inheritance to his nearest relative from his clan. He will take possession of it. This will be a regulation and a case law for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 27:1-11 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.