Moses, who typically receives divine law through direct revelation, here consults God only after five women boldly challenge existing inheritance customs, making this the sole instance where female initiative prompts new legislation.
Numbers 27
The Daughters of Zelophehad
1Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
2They stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
3“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.
4Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”
5Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
6The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
7“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
8You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
9If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
10If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. This shall be a statute and ordinance for the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
Joshua Appointed as Moses' Successor
12The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.
13When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered;
14because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
15Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,
16“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,
17who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
18The LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
19Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
20You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.
21He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
22Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
23He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD spoke by Moses.
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Theme
Numbers 27 presents two pivotal legal and leadership developments as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land. The daughters of Zelophehad successfully petition Moses for inheritance rights, establishing a precedent that protects family property when there are no male heirs. Following God's announcement that Moses will soon die, Joshua is formally commissioned as Israel's next leader through a public ceremony involving Moses and the high priest.
Context
This chapter bridges Israel's wilderness wandering with preparation for conquest, following the second census and preceding additional laws for the new generation.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 The Daughters' Petition Five sisters approach Moses requesting inheritance rights since their father died without sons
- 5-11 God's Legal Ruling The Lord affirms the daughters' claim and establishes comprehensive inheritance laws for Israel
- 12-14 Moses' Impending Death God commands Moses to view the Promised Land before his death due to his disobedience at Meribah
- 15-21 Joshua's Commission Moses requests a successor and God designates Joshua to lead Israel with divine authority
- 22-23 The Transfer Ceremony Moses publicly commissions Joshua before the priest and congregation as commanded
The Daughters of Zelophehad
27:1–27:11 law instruction contemplative
The daughters of Zelophehad petition Moses for inheritance rights since their father died without sons. God establishes new inheritance laws allowing daughters to inherit when there are no male heirs.
person_contrast
Moses, who typically receives divine law through direct revelation, here consults God only after five women boldly challenge existing inheritance customs, making this the sole instance where female initiative prompts new legislation.
Joshua Appointed as Moses' Successor
27:12–27:23 narrative narration solemn
God tells Moses he will die before entering the Promised Land due to his disobedience at Meribah. Moses requests a successor, and God appoints Joshua, who is commissioned through the laying on of hands.
person_contrast
Moses demonstrates remarkable selflessness by immediately requesting God appoint a successor rather than pleading for personal mercy, prioritizing Israel's future leadership over his own fate.
Insights
Moses demonstrates remarkable selflessness by immediately requesting God appoint a successor rather than pleading for personal mercy, prioritizing Israel's future leadership over his own fate.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Numbers 27:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Joshua 17:3 Lexical
But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters…
Numbers 26:33 Lexical
Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah,…
Numbers 36:11 Lexical
for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’ sons…
Numbers 36:1 Lexical
The heads of the fathers’ households of the family of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of…
Joshua 17:2 Lexical
So this was for the rest of the children of Manasseh according to their families: for the children of Abiezer, for the c…
Numbers 27:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Joshua 19:51 Lexical
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the…
Leviticus 8:3 Lexical
and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting.”
Numbers 16:19 Lexical
Korah assembled all the congregation opposite them to the door of the Tent of Meeting. The LORD’s glory appeared to all…
Numbers 25:6 Lexical
Behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in t…
Leviticus 8:4 Lexical
Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
Numbers 27:3 1 reference
Numbers 27:11 1 reference
Numbers 27:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Deuteronomy 32:51 Lexical
because you trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of…
Numbers 20:1 Lexical
The children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month. The people stay…
Numbers 33:36 Lexical
They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Numbers 13:26 Lexical
They went and came to Moses, to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran…
Ezekiel 47:19 Lexical
“The south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, to the great sea. T…
Numbers 27:18 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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