ScriptureDepth's study of Numbers 27
“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
Yahweh speaks to Moses regarding the daughters of Zelophehad, confirming their right to inherit their father's property, which resolves a dispute over inheritance law.
What Numbers 27 is about
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. 3-4). Moses brings their case before Yahweh, who declares that the daughters speak rightly and grants them a possession among their father's brothers (vv. 5-11). Yahweh then instructs Moses to go up into the mountain of Abarim to see the land promised to Israel, noting that Moses will be gathered to his people because of his actions at Meribah (vv. 12-14). Moses prays for leadership, asking Yahweh to appoint a man to lead the congregation (vv. 15-17). Yahweh tells Moses to take Joshua, lay hands on him, and commission him in front of the congregation, as Joshua will lead them (vv. 18-23).
Yahweh commands that inheritance rights extend to daughters if there are no sons.
Numbers 27 at a glance
- Numbers 27:1–2The Daughters Present Their Case
- Numbers 27:3–4Argument for Inheritance Rights
- Numbers 27:5–11God's Ruling on Inheritance
- Numbers 27:12–14Moses' Final Commission
- Numbers 27:15–21Moses' Prayer for Leadership
- Numbers 27:22–23Joshua Appointed as Successor
Key verse: Numbers 27:7
One thing to notice
The chapter features a clear transition in leadership as Moses prepares to pass authority to Joshua. This occurs after a dialogue with Yahweh about the succession, culminating in Moses laying hands on Joshua at the end. This mirrors the earlier call for leadership in verses 15-21 and the appointment in vv. 22-23.
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Chapter text
Read Numbers 27 (WEB)
The Daughters Present Their Case Numbers 27:1–2
1Verse 1. Then 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, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. 2Verse 2. They stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
Argument for Inheritance Rights Numbers 27:3–4
3Verse 3. “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons. 4Verse 4. Why 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.”
God's Ruling on Inheritance Numbers 27:5–11
5Verse 5. Moses brought their cause before Yahweh. 6Verse 6. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 7Verse 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. 8Verse 8. You 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. 9Verse 9. If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10Verse 10. If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11Verse 11. If 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 Yahweh commanded Moses.’”
Moses' Final Commission Numbers 27:12–14
12Verse 12. Yahweh said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13Verse 13. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered; 14Verse 14. because 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.)
Moses' Prayer for Leadership Numbers 27:15–21
15Verse 15. Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying, 16Verse 16. “Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17Verse 17. who 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 Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.” 18Verse 18. Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19Verse 19. Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
20Verse 20. You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. 21Verse 21. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh. 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.”
Joshua Appointed as Successor Numbers 27:22–23
22Verse 22. Moses did as Yahweh commanded him. He took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation. 23Verse 23. He laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Numbers 27
Justice and Equity
In verses 4-5, the daughters of Zelophehad argue for their right to inherit their father's property since he had no sons. They state, 'Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family?' God's response in verses 7-11 affirms their claim, establishing a statute for inheritance that includes daughters. This ruling expands the understanding of justice and equity in familial rights within Israel.
Women's Rights
The daughters of Zelophehad, named in verse 1, advocate for their right to inherit property in a male-dominated society. Their plea in verses 3-4 is met with divine approval in verses 7-8, where God commands that daughters can inherit if there are no sons. This development signifies a critical advancement for women's rights within the context of Israelite law, as it grants them a voice and legal standing.
Leadership Transition
In verses 15-20, Moses seeks God's guidance for appointing a successor to lead the Israelites after his death. Yahweh instructs Moses to designate Joshua, a man filled with the Spirit, as the new leader in verses 18-19. The transition is formalized in verses 22-23 when Moses lays hands on Joshua, ensuring continuity of leadership and divine authority over the congregation.
Divine Guidance and Authority
God's authority is evident in the responses to both the daughters' plea and Moses' request for leadership. In verses 6-11, Yahweh provides clear directions on inheritance laws, affirming His role as the ultimate decision-maker. Additionally, in verses 18-21, God instructs Moses on the appointment of Joshua, emphasizing that leadership is to be guided by divine authority through the priest's judgment.
Chapter outline
How Numbers 27 unfolds
Numbers 27:1–2 The Daughters Present Their Case
The daughters of Zelophehad, named Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, approach Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the congregation to present their case for inheritance (vv. 1-2).
Numbers 27:3–4 Argument for Inheritance Rights
They argue that their father died without a son, and they question why his name should be lost to his family, requesting a possession among their father's brothers (vv. 3-4).
Numbers 27:5–11 God's Ruling on Inheritance
Moses presents the daughters of Zelophehad's case to Yahweh. God commands that their inheritance be passed to them and establishes rules for inheritance when there are no sons (vv. 5-11).
Numbers 27:12–14 Moses' Final Commission
God instructs Moses to ascend the mountain of Abarim to see the Promised Land, foreshadowing Moses' death due to his past disobedience at Meribah (vv. 12-14).
Numbers 27:15–21 Moses' Prayer for Leadership
Moses prays for leadership, requesting that God appoint a man to lead the congregation, ensuring they are not like 'sheep which have no shepherd' (vv. 15-17).
Numbers 27:22–23 Joshua Appointed as Successor
Moses follows Yahweh's command by appointing Joshua son of Nun as his successor. He lays hands on Joshua and commissions him before Eleazar the priest and the congregation (vv. 22-23).
Key verses
Numbers 27:7Yahweh speaks to Moses regarding the daughters of Zelophehad, confirming their right to inherit their father's property, which resolves a dispute over inheritance law.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Numbers 27
- observeIn v2, who stands before Moses and Eleazar at the Tent of Meeting?
- observeWhat do the daughters of Zelophehad claim in v3 about their father?
- interpretMoses' act of bringing the daughters' case to Yahweh in v5: what does this suggest about his role?
- interpretIn v14, what is the reason given for Moses not entering the Promised Land?
- applyWhen have you had to advocate for something you felt was right, as the daughters did in v4?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Numbers 27
- Deuteronomy 31Numbers 27:18 and Deuteronomy 31:7Both encourage Joshua: Numbers 27:18 says to lay your hand on him, while Deuteronomy 31:7 states to be strong and courageous.
- Numbers 16Numbers 27:16 and Numbers 16:22Both invoke God of all flesh: Numbers 27:16 calls for a leader, while Numbers 16:22 questions God's anger towards all.
- Numbers 20Numbers 27:14 and Numbers 20:12Both recount Moses' consequence: Numbers 27:14 notes his rebellion, while Numbers 20:12 explains he didn’t believe.
- Deuteronomy 3Numbers 27:12 and Deuteronomy 3:27Both mention Moses' view: Numbers 27:12 tells him to see the land, while Deuteronomy 3:27 instructs him to lift his eyes.
- Matthew 9Numbers 27:17 and Matthew 9:36Both express the need for shepherds: Numbers 27:17 speaks of leading the congregation, while Matthew 9:36 shows Jesus’ compassion.
- Zechariah 4Numbers 27:16 and Zechariah 4:6Both speak of divine appointment: Numbers 27:16 asks for a leader, while Zechariah 4:6 emphasizes not by might or power.
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