Numbers 27:7-17

7 "What the daughters of Zelophehad request is right; give them property among their father's relatives. Let his inheritance pass on to them. ¹

8 Tell the people of Israel that whenever a man dies without leaving a son, his daughter is to inherit his property.

9 If he has no daughter, his brothers are to inherit it.

10 If he has no brothers, his father's brothers are to inherit it.

11 If he has no brothers or uncles, then his nearest relative is to inherit it and hold it as his own property. The people of Israel are to observe this as a legal requirement, just as I, the Lord, have commanded you."

12 The Lord said to Moses, "Go up the Abarim Mountains and look out over the land that I am giving to the Israelites. ²

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

14 because both of you rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin. When the whole community complained against me at Meribah, you refused to acknowledge my holy power before them." (Meribah is the spring at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15 Moses prayed,

16 "Lord God, source of all life, appoint, I pray, a man who can lead the people

17 and can command them in battle, so that your community will not be like sheep without a shepherd." ³

Numbers 27:7-17 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. 27.7Numbers 36.2.
• 2. 27.12-14Deuteronomy 3.23-27; 32.48-52.
• 3. 27.17 1 K 22.17;Ezekiel 34.5;Matthew 9.36;Mark 6.34.