Numbers 27:6-16

6 and the LORD said to him,

7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.

8 “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.

9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.

10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.

11 If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to have the force of law for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.’ ”

Joshua to Succeed Moses

12 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites.

13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was,

14 for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

15 Moses said to the LORD,

16 “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community

Numbers 27:6-16 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

• 1. Job 42:15
• 2. ver 8; Joshua 17:4
• 3. Numbers 35:29
• 4. Numbers 23:14
• 5. Numbers 33:47; Jeremiah 22:20
• 6. Deuteronomy 3:23-27; Deuteronomy 32:48-52
• 7. S Leviticus 14:34
• 8. Numbers 20:12; Numbers 31:2; Deuteronomy 4:22; Deuteronomy 31:14; Deuteronomy 32:50; 1 Kings 2:1
• 9. Numbers 20:28
• 10. S Nu 20:1,2-5
• 11. S Numbers 20:12
• 12. S Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:51; Psalms 106:32
• 13. S Numbers 16:22; S Job 21:20