Numbers 26:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad [were] Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Tz'lof'chad the son of Hefer had no sons but daughters; the names of the daughters of Tz'lof'chad were Machlah, No'ah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirtzah.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

American Standard Version:

And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Zelophehad^{H6765} the son^{H1121} of Hepher^{H2660} had no sons^{H1121}, but daughters^{H1323}: and the names^{H8034} of the daughters^{H1323} of Zelophehad^{H6765} were Mahlah^{H4244}, and Noah^{H5270}, Hoglah^{H2295}, Milcah^{H4435}, and Tirzah^{H8656}.

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Commentary for Numbers 26:33

Numbers 26:33 is a part of the Bible that falls within the context of a census being taken of the Israelite community in the plains of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This census is the second one recorded in the Book of Numbers, the first having been taken in the Sinai desert at the beginning of the Israelites' journey. The purpose of this census was to determine the size of the fighting force and to allot the land of Canaan among the tribes.

The verse specifically mentions Zelophehad, a man from the tribe of Manasseh, who had no sons, only daughters. The mention of his daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—sets the stage for an important legal case that arises in the subsequent chapters (Numbers 27 and 36). This case deals with inheritance laws, particularly concerning what happens when a man dies without a son. The daughters of Zelophehad advocate for their right to inherit their father's property, which was not a common practice in the patriarchal society of the time.

The themes presented in this verse and the accompanying narrative include:

1. **Inheritance Rights**: The story highlights the issue of women's rights to inherit property in a patriarchal society, challenging the existing norms.
2. **Legal Innovation**: The case of Zelophehad's daughters leads to a change in the law, allowing daughters to inherit when there is no son, provided they marry within their own tribe to keep the inheritance within it.
3. **Divine Justice and Fairness**: The narrative underscores the importance of fairness and justice, as God instructs Moses on how to deal with such cases, ensuring that families without sons are not left destitute.
4. **Gender Roles**: The daughters' proactive approach in claiming their inheritance serves as an example of challenging traditional gender roles within the Israelite community.
5. **The Importance of Family and Tribal Lineage**: The concern for maintaining tribal land within the tribe reflects the importance of tribal identity and the cohesion of the Israelite social structure.

This passage is significant as it demonstrates the Bible's capacity to adapt and evolve legal practices and to consider the rights and well-being of all members of society, including women. It also provides insight into the historical context of ancient Israelite society, its laws, and its customs regarding property and family.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6765
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צְלׇפְחָד
   Transliteration: Tsᵉlophchâd
   Pronunciation: tsel-of-chawd'
   Description: from the same as צָלָף and אֶחָד; Tselophchad, an Israelite; Zelophehad.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; 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.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2660
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵפֶר
   Transliteration: Chêpher
   Pronunciation: khay'-fer
   Description: from חָפַר or חָפֵר; a pit of shame; Chepher, a place in Palestine; also the name of three Israelites; Hepher.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4244
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחְלָה
   Transliteration: Machlâh
   Pronunciation: makh-law'
   Description: from חָלָה; sickness; Machlah, the name apparently of two Israelitesses; Mahlah.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5270
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֹעָה
   Transliteration: Nôʻâh
   Pronunciation: no-aw'
   Description: from נוּעַ; movement; Noah, an Israelitess; Noah.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2295
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חׇגְלָה
   Transliteration: Choglâh
   Pronunciation: khog-law'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; probably a partridge; Choglah, an Israelitess; Hoglah. See also בֵּית חׇגְלָה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4435
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִלְכָּה
   Transliteration: Milkâh
   Pronunciation: mil-kaw'
   Description: a form of מַלְכָּה; queen; Milcah, the name of a Hebrewess and of an Israelite; Milcah.
   
10. Strong's Number: H8656
    There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תִּרְצָה
    Transliteration: Tirtsâh
    Pronunciation: teer-tsaw'
    Description: from רָצָה; delightsomeness; Tirtsah, a place in Palestine; also an Israelitess; Tirzah.