Numbers 27: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Numbers 27 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The daughters of Zelophehad come forward to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the congregation at the Tent of Meeting (vv. 1-2). They argue that since their father died without sons, his name should not be lost from his family (vv.

Key verse

“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.”
Numbers 27:7 (WEB)

Outline

Numbers 27:1–2 The Daughters Present Their Case
Numbers 27:3–4 Argument for Inheritance Rights
Numbers 27:5–11 God's Ruling on Inheritance
Numbers 27:12–14 Moses' Final Commission
Numbers 27:15–21 Moses' Prayer for Leadership
Numbers 27:22–23 Joshua Appointed as Successor

Discussion questions

In v2, who stands before Moses and Eleazar at the Tent of Meeting?
What do the daughters of Zelophehad claim in v3 about their father?
Moses' act of bringing the daughters' case to Yahweh in v5: what does this suggest about his role?
In v14, what is the reason given for Moses not entering the Promised Land?
When have you had to advocate for something you felt was right, as the daughters did in v4?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Numbers 27: Deuteronomy 31, Numbers 16, Numbers 20.

Before next time: read Numbers 28.