Numbers 27:8-18

8 And say to the children of Israel, If a man has no son at the time of his death, let his heritage go to his daughter.

9 And if he has no daughter, then give his heritage to his brothers.

10 And if he has no brothers, then give his heritage to his father's brothers.

11 And if his father has no brothers, then give it to his nearest relation in the family, as his heritage: this is to be a decision made by law for the children of Israel, as the Lord gave orders to Moses.

12 And the Lord said to Moses, Go up into this mountain of Abarim so that you may see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.

13 And when you have seen it, you will be put to rest with your people, as your brother Aaron was:

14 Because in the waste land of Zin, when the people were angry, you and he went against my word and did not keep my name holy before their eyes, at the waters. (These are the waters of Meribah in Kadesh in the waste land of Zin.)

15 Then Moses said to the Lord,

16 Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, put a man at the head of this people,

17 To go out and come in before them and be their guide; so that the people of the Lord may not be like sheep without a keeper.

18 And the Lord said to Moses, Take Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and put your hand on him;

Numbers 27:8-18 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.