Numbers27
New Living Translation
1One day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph.
2These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
3“Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons.
4Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.”
5So Moses brought their case before the Lord.
6And the Lord replied to Moses,
7“The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.
8“And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters.
9And if he has no daughter either, transfer his inheritance to his brothers.
10If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11But if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. This is a legal requirement for the people of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.”
12One day the Lord said to Moses, “Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel.
13After you have seen it, you will die like your brother, Aaron,
14for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
15Then Moses said to the Lord,
16“O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community.
17Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.
19Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people.
20Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.
21When direction from the Lord is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the Lord—to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.”
22So Moses did as the Lord commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community.
23Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the Lord had commanded through Moses.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Numbers 27.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: 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).
vv1-11
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.
vv12-14
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? (Nu 27:15-23)
vv15-23
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.
Key Words
קָרַב: to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
בַּת: a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
צְלׇפְחָד: Tselophchad, an Israelite
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
חֵפֶר: Chepher, a place in Palestine; also the name of three Israelites
גִּלְעָד: Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
מָכִיר: Makir, an Israelite
מְנַשֶּׁה: Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מִשְׁפָּחָה: a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
יוֹסֵף: Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
Cross References
Numbers 27Direct execution and fulfillment of the petition of Zelophehad's daughters for their inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Subsequent regulatory law requiring heiresses to marry within their own tribe to preserve patrimony.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical account of Moses and Aaron's sin at the waters of Meribah.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Moses uses the exact same unique title 'God of the spirits of all flesh'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Micaiah's prophetic echo of Israel being scattered like sheep without a shepherd.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus sees the crowds with compassion as sheep without a shepherd, echoing Moses' concern.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts Zelophehad's death with the rebellious group of Korah who lost their family heritage.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfillment of God's command for Moses to ascend Mount Abarim/Nebo and view Canaan.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Details the Urim and Thummim, by which Eleazar would ask counsel for Joshua.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Another instance of Moses delaying judgment to bring a difficult inquiry before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Reaffirms that the daughters of Zelophehad have spoken and demanded what is right.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
God's explicit command to Moses to charge, encourage, and strengthen Joshua as his successor.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Spiritual parallel showing women share equally with men in the heavenly inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reiterates Moses and Aaron's failure to sanctify God at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament parallel of the laying on of hands to confer spiritual gifts and office.
Supported by JFB