Numbers, Chapter 27

Numbers Chapter 27

Verses 1-23: The Daughters of Zelophehad

1. The daughters of Zelophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh son of Joseph, approached. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
2. They stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the community at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
3. “Our father died in the desert. He was not among the group that gathered against the LORD in Korah’s rebellion, but he died for his own sin, and he had no sons.
4. Why should our father’s name disappear from his family because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
5. Moses brought their case before the LORD.
6. The LORD said to Moses,
7. “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they say. You must indeed give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and transfer their father’s inheritance to them.
8. Tell the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
9. If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
10. If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11. If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his clan, and he shall possess it. This shall be for the Israelites a statute and ordinance, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
12. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given to the Israelites.
13. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was,
14. for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes at the waters.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin.)
15. Moses said to the LORD,
16. “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over the community
17. to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.
19. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire community and commission him in their presence.
20. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.
21. He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command, he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command, they will come in.”
22. Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole community.
23. He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.

Interpretation: This chapter presents significant legal and spiritual transitions within the Israelite community. The daughters of Zelophehad challenge existing inheritance laws, leading to a divine mandate for more inclusive inheritance rights, a notable shift towards gender equity in ancient Israelite society. Additionally, the passage on Moses’ successor signifies the importance of leadership and guidance, with Joshua being designated as the next leader, ensuring continuity and stability for the Israelites.