Keraia
Numbers 27

Numbers 27:4

The Daughters of Zelophehad · Numbers 27:1–11
Read Numbers 27

Translations

Modern
Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.”
Traditional
Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.
Literal
Why should the name of our father be removed from the midst of his family, because he had no son? Give us a possession in the midst of the brothers of our father.”
Latin
Retulitque Moyses causam earum ad judicium Domini.

Original

Hebrew
English
Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.”

Notes

Numbers 27:3–4

Zelophehad had not joined Korah’s rebellion (16:1–50).If he had taken part in that rebellion, he may have lost his property rights because of his sin (see 15:30; compare 1 Kings 21:7–16).

Israelite society was patriarchal and patrilineal. This means that family ancestry and property were passed down through the male line. Normally, sons inherited their father’s land.

Zelophehad had no sons. His daughters wanted their father’s land to remain in their family. They asked for property rights equal to those given to sons. Their request was reasonable and based on a desire to preserve their family’s inheritance.

Numbers 27:1–11

Zelophehad did not have any sons, which allowed for changes to the inheritance laws. They would later refine these laws more (compare 36:1–13).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses

Parallels

Numbers 36:1–13

Glossary

Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Eleazar Genealogy Genealogy of Jesus Christ Inheritance Joshua, Book of Milcah Noah Numbers, Book of

Topics

Children: Female: Inherited Property in Default of Sons Daughter: Property Rights of Fatherless: Daughters of Zelophehad Israel: The Daughters of Zelophehad Sue for an Inheritance Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: The Law of Female Inheritance Settled Land: Unmarried Woman's Rights In Legislation: Inheritance Mahlah: Special Legislation in Regard to the Inheritance of Milcah: Daughter of Zelophehad: Special Legislation in Regard to the Inheritance of Noah: A Daughter of Zelophehad, Special Legislation in Regard to the Inheritance of Orphan: Daughters of Zelophehad Petition: Israel Property in Real Estate: Entail of the Tribe of Manasseh: Remarkable Persons of Daughters of Zelophehad Tirzah: A Daughter of Zelophehad: Special Legislation in Regard to the Inheritance of Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Zelophehad: His Daughters Petition for his Inheritance