Numbers 27:6-16

6 And the LORD replied to Moses,

7 “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.

8 “And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters.

9 And if he has no daughter either, transfer his inheritance to his brothers.

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

11 But if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. This is a legal requirement for the people of Israel, just as the LORD commanded Moses.”

12 One day the LORD said to Moses, “Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel.

13 After you have seen it, you will die like your brother, Aaron,

14 for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15 Then Moses said to the LORD,

16 “O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or the mountains of Abarim.
• [b]. Hebrew waters of Meribath-kadesh.