Numbers 27
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Commentaries
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Moses commands the people to write the law upon stones, when they shall come to the promised land, Deu 27:1-3. And to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, Deu 27:4; and to build an altar of unhewn stones, and to offer on it burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, Deu 27:5-7. The words to be written plainly, and the people to be exhorted to obedience, Deu 27:8-10. The six tribes which should stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, Deu 27:11, Deu 27:12. Those who are to stand upon Mount Ebal to curse the transgressors, Deu 27:13. The different transgressors against whom the curses are to be denounced, Deu 27:14-26.
Open source ↗THE DAUGHTERS OF ZELOPHEHAD ASK FOR AN INHERITANCE. (Num 27:1-11) Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not . . . in the company of . . . Korah--This declaration might be necessary because his death might have occurred about the time of that rebellion; and especially because, as the children of these conspirators were involved along with their fathers in the awful punishment, their plea appeared the more proper and forcible that their father did not die for any cause that doomed his family to lose their lives or their inheritance. died in his own sin--that is, by the common law of mortality to which men, through sin, are subject.
Open source ↗Then came the daughters of Zelophehad,.... Who are mentioned among the families of Manasseh, under that of the Hepherites, Num 26:33, their father being dead, and they having no brethren, when they heard the land was to be divided among those that were numbered, and who were only males of twenty years old and upwards, were concerned, lest they should have no share in the division of the land; and therefore came, according to the Targum of Jonathan, to the house of judgment, or court of judicature, where Moses, the princes, &c. were now sitting: the genealogy of Zelophehad is given: he was the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, the son of Joseph; by which it appears he was of the tribe of Manasseh, and of the fourth generation from him: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, Noah, ann Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah; in the same order their names are given in Num 26:33, but in Num 36:11, it is a little altered, Noah and Tirzah change places, which Jarchi says shows they were upon an equality one with another.
Open source ↗Claims of Zelophehad's Daughters to an Inheritance in the Promised Land. - Num 27:1-4. The divine instructions which were given at the mustering of the tribes, to the effect that the land was to be divided among the tribes in proportion to the larger or smaller number of their families (Num 26:52-56), induced the daughters of Zelophehad the Manassite of the family of Gilead, the son of Machir, to appear before the princes of the congregation, who were assembled with Moses and Eleazar at the tabernacle, with a request that they would assign them an inheritance in the family of the father, as he had died in the desert without leaving any sons, and had not taken part in the rebellion of the company of Korah, which might have occasioned his exclusion from any participation in the promised land, but had simply died "through his (own) sin," i.e., on account of such a sin as every one commits, and such as all who died in the wilderness had committed as well as he. "Why should the name of our father be cut off (cease) from the midst of his family?" This would have been the case, for example, if no inheritance had been assigned him in the land because he left no son. In that case his family would have become extinct, if his daughters had married into other families or tribes. On the other hand, if his daughters received a possession of their own among the brethren of their father, the name of their father would be preserved by it, since they could then marry husbands who would enter upon their landed property, and their father's name and possession would be perpetuated through their children. This wish on the part of the daughters was founded upon an assumption which rested no doubt upon an ancient custom, namely, that in the case of marriages where the wives had brought landed…
Open source ↗Mention is made of the case of these daughters of Zelophehad in the chapter before, v. 33. It should seem, by the particular notice taken of it, that it was a singular case, and that the like did not at this time occur in all Israel, that the head of a family had no sons, but daughters only. Their case is again debated (Num 36:1-13) upon another article of it; and, according to the judgments given in their case, we find them put in possession, Jos 17:3, Jos 17:4. One would suppose that their personal character was such as added weight to their case, and caused it to be so often taken notice of. Here is, I. Their case stated by themselves, and their petition upon it presented to the highest court of judicature, which consisted of Moses as king, the princes as lords, and the congregation, or elders of the people who were chose their representatives, as the commons, Num 27:2. This august assembly sat near the door of the tabernacle, that in difficult cases they might consult the oracle. To them these young ladies made their application; for it is the duty of magistrates to defend the fatherless, Psa 82:3. We find not that the had any advocate to speak for them, but they managed their own cause ingeniously enough, which they could do the better because it was plain and honest, and spoke for itself. Now observe, 1. What it is they petition for: That they might have a possession in the land of Canaan, among the brethren of their father, Num 27:4. What God had said to Moses (Num 26:53) he had faithfully made known to the people, that the land of Canaan was to be divided among those that were now numbered; these daughters knew that they were not numbered, and therefore by this rule must expect no inheritance, and the family of their father must be looked upon as extinct, and wr…
Open source ↗27:1-11 Zelophehad’s lack of male heirs created an opportunity to refine the inheritance laws, which would later be refined even further (cp. 36:1-13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צְלׇפְחָד (Tsᵉlophchâd, H6765) — Tselophchad, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֵפֶר (Chêpher, H2660) — Chepher, a place in Palestine; also the name of three Israelites גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites מָכִיר (Mâkîyr, H4353) — Makir, an Israelite מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… מַחְלָה (Machlâh, H4244) — Machlah, the name apparently of two Israelitesses נֹעָה (Nôʻâh, H5270) — Noah, an Israelitess חׇגְלָה (Choglâh, H2295) — Choglah, an Israelitess
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אֶלְעָזָר (ʼElʻâzâr, H499) — Elazar, the name of seven Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קֹרַח (Qôrach, H7141) — Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
Open source ↗בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צְלׇפְחָד (Tsᵉlophchâd, H6765) — Tselophchad, an Israelite דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,…
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and…
Open source ↗בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… שְׁאֵר (shᵉʼêr, H7607) — flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively,… קָרוֹב (qârôwb, H7138) — near (in place, kindred or time) מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) עֲבָרִים (ʻĂbârîym, H5682) — Abarim, a place in Palestine רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗מָרָה (mârâh, H4784) — to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist;… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… צִן (Tsin, H6790) — Tsin, a part of the Desert מְרִיבָה (mᵉrîybâh, H4808) — quarrel עֵדָה (ʻêdâh, H5712) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd) קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מְרִיבָה (Mᵉrîybâh, H4809) — Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert קָדֵשׁ (Qâdêsh, H6946) — Kadesh, a place in the Desert
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Machir took a wife from among the Huppites and Shuppites. The name of his sister was Maacah. Another descendant was named Zelophehad, who had only daughters.