King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Why should the name of our father be eliminated from his family just because he didn't have a son? Give us property to possess along with the brothers of our father."
Berean Standard Bible:
Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.”
American Standard Version:
Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Why should the name{H8034} of our father{H1} be done away{H1639} from among{H8432} his family{H4940}, because he hath no son{H1121}? Give{H5414} unto us therefore a possession{H272} among{H8432} the brethren{H251} of our father{H1}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Joshua 17:4
- And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.
Psalms 109:13
- Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
Exodus 32:11
- And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
Proverbs 13:9
- ¶ The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 27:4
Numbers 27:4 is part of the narrative in the Book of Numbers, which is the fourth book of the Pentateuch, the foundational texts of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. The verse is set within the context of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The book primarily deals with laws, narratives of the Israelites' journey, and the organization of the tribes of Israel.
In this particular verse, the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—speak to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation. They present a case concerning the inheritance of their father's property. According to the customs of the time, property was typically passed down from father to son, and women did not have the right to inherit. However, Zelophehad had no sons, and his daughters were concerned that their father's name would be lost from among his family because of this.
The daughters' appeal is significant for several reasons:
1. **Inheritance Rights**: It challenges the existing patriarchal system by asking for their father's inheritance, which was not a standard practice for women.
2. **Legal Precedent**: Their request leads to a legal innovation, as Moses brings their case before the Lord. The response from God (in the subsequent verses) establishes a new law allowing daughters to inherit when there are no sons.
3. **Gender Equality**: While the society of the time was largely patriarchal, this story reflects an early instance of advocacy for gender equality in the context of inheritance rights.
4. **Family Continuity**: The daughters' concern for their father's name illustrates the importance of familial lineage and the desire to maintain the memory and legacy of their father within the tribe.
5. **Divine Justice**: The story underscores a theme of divine justice and mercy, as God is portrayed as responsive to the pleas of the disenfranchised and willing to adapt laws to ensure fairness.
In summary, Numbers 27:4 captures a pivotal moment where the daughters of Zelophehad advocate for their rights within a patriarchal society, leading to a divine legislative change that would affect the inheritance laws of Israel, ensuring that names and property could be passed down through the daughters when no male heirs were present. This narrative is a testament to the dynamic nature of biblical law and the recognition of women's roles and rights within the community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H1639
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּרַע
Transliteration: gâraʻ
Pronunciation: gaw-rah'
Description: a primitive root; to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold; abate, clip, (di-) minish, do (take) away, keep back, restrain, make small, withdraw. - Strong's Number: H8432
There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
Transliteration: tâvek
Pronunciation: taw'-vek
Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); 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; family, kind(-red). - 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. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H272
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲחֻזָּה
Transliteration: ʼăchuzzâh
Pronunciation: akh-ooz-zaw'
Description: feminine passive participle from אָחַז; something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land); possession. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.