Numbers 27

Zelophehad’s Daughters

1 The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward
2 and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said,
3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons.
4 Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD,
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
17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,[a] and lay your hand on him.
19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence.
20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”
22 Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly.
23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.

Numbers 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.

Cross References 34

  • 1. S Numbers 26:33
  • 2. Joshua 17:2,3
  • 3. S Numbers 26:30
  • 4. S Genesis 50:23; 1 Chronicles 2:21; Numbers 36:1
  • 5. Exodus 40:2,17
  • 6. S Numbers 9:6
  • 7. Numbers 1:16; Numbers 31:13; Numbers 32:2; Numbers 36:1
  • 8. Numbers 26:65
  • 9. Numbers 16:2
  • 10. Numbers 26:33
  • 11. S Genesis 25:22; S Exodus 18:19
  • 12. S Numbers 9:8
  • 13. Job 42:15
  • 14. ver 8; Joshua 17:4
  • 15. Numbers 35:29
  • 16. Numbers 23:14
  • 17. Numbers 33:47; Jeremiah 22:20
  • 18. Deuteronomy 3:23-27; Deuteronomy 32:48-52
  • 19. S Leviticus 14:34
  • 20. Numbers 20:12; Numbers 31:2; Deuteronomy 4:22; Deuteronomy 31:14; Deuteronomy 32:50; 1 Kings 2:1
  • 21. Numbers 20:28
  • 22. S Nu 20:1,2-5
  • 23. S Numbers 20:12
  • 24. S Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:51; Psalms 106:32
  • 25. S Numbers 16:22; S Job 21:20
  • 26. Deuteronomy 31:2; 1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 18:16; Ezekiel 34:5; Zechariah 10:2; S Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34
  • 27. S Genesis 41:38; Numbers 11:25-29
  • 28. ver 23; Deuteronomy 34:9; Acts 6:6
  • 29. ver 23; Deuteronomy 3:28; Deuteronomy 31:14,23
  • 30. Deuteronomy 31:7
  • 31. Joshua 1:16,17
  • 32. S Genesis 25:22; Joshua 9:14; Psalms 106:13; Isaiah 8:19; Haggai 1:13; Malachi 2:7; Malachi 3:1
  • 33. S Exodus 28:30
  • 34. S ver 19

Footnotes 1

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.

Numbers 27 Commentaries

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