Números 27

Las hijas de Zelofejad

1 Majlá, Noa, Joglá, Milca y Tirsá pertenecían a los clanes de Manasés hijo de José, pues eran hijas de Zelofejad hijo de Héfer, hijo de Galaad, hijo de Maquir, hijo de Manasés. Las cinco se acercaron

2 a la entrada de la Tienda de reunión, para hablar con Moisés y el sacerdote Eleazar, y con los jefes de toda la comunidad. Les dijeron:

3 «Nuestro padre murió sin dejar hijos, pero no por haber participado en la rebelión de Coré contra el SEÑOR. Murió en el desierto por su propio pecado.

4 ¿Será borrado de su clan el nombre de nuestro padre por el solo hecho de no haber dejado hijos varones? Nosotras somos sus hijas. ¡Danos una heredad entre los parientes de nuestro padre!»

5 Moisés le presentó al SEÑOR el caso de ellas,

6 y el SEÑOR le respondió:

7 «Lo que piden las hijas de Zelofejad es algo justo, así que debes darles una propiedad entre los parientes de su padre. Traspásales a ellas la heredad de su padre.

8 »Además, diles a los israelitas: “Cuando un hombre muera sin dejar hijos, su heredad será traspasada a su hija.

9 Si no tiene hija, sus hermanos recibirán la herencia.

10 Si no tiene hermanos, se entregará la herencia a los hermanos de su padre.

11 Si su padre no tiene hermanos, se entregará la herencia al pariente más cercano de su clan, para que tome posesión de ella. Este será el procedimiento legal que seguirán los israelitas, tal como yo se lo ordené a Moisés”».

Anuncio de la muerte de Moisés

12 El SEÑOR le dijo a Moisés:—Sube al monte Abarín y contempla desde allí la tierra que les he dado a los israelitas.

13 Después de que la hayas contemplado, partirás de este mundo para reunirte con tus antepasados, como tu hermano Aarón.

14 En el desierto de Zin, cuando la comunidad se puso a reclamar, ustedes dos me desobedecieron, pues al sacar agua de la roca no reconocieron ante el pueblo mi santidad.Esas aguas de Meribá están en Cades, en el desierto de Zin.

Moisés pide un líder para Israel

15 Moisés le respondió al SEÑOR:

16 —Dígnate, SEÑOR, Dios de toda la humanidad,^[a] nombrar un jefe sobre esta comunidad,

17 uno que los dirija en sus campañas, que los lleve a la guerra y los traiga de vuelta a casa. Así el pueblo del SEÑOR no se quedará como rebaño sin pastor.

18 El SEÑOR le dijo a Moisés:—Toma a Josué hijo de Nun, que es un hombre de gran espíritu.^[b] Pon tus manos sobre él,

19 y haz que se presente ante el sacerdote Eleazar y ante toda la comunidad. En presencia de ellos le entregarás el mando.

20 Lo investirás con algunas de tus atribuciones, para que toda la comunidad israelita le obedezca.

21 Se presentará ante el sacerdote Eleazar, quien mediante el urim consultará al SEÑOR. Cuando Josué ordene ir a la guerra, la comunidad entera saldrá con él, y cuando le ordene volver, volverá.

22 Moisés hizo lo que el SEÑOR le ordenó. Tomó a Josué y lo puso delante del sacerdote Eleazar y de toda la comunidad.

23 Luego le impuso las manos y le entregó el cargo, tal como el SEÑOR lo había mandado.

Números 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.

Footnotes

• [a] "toda la humanidad" . Lit. "los espíritus de toda carne" .
• [b] "de gran espíritu" . Alt. "en quien mora el Espíritu" .

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.