The chapter begins with the daughters of Zelophehad petitioning Moses for an inheritance, as their father died without sons. The Lord affirms their request, establishing a new law of inheritance allowing daughters to inherit in the absence of male heirs. Subsequently, the Lord informs Moses of his impending death and commands him to appoint Joshua as his successor, publicly transferring authority to him before the congregation and Eleazar.
Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.
Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”
“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. This shall be a statute and ordinance for the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses.’”
because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
He laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as the LORD spoke by Moses.
Study Notes for Numbers 27
Verse 1
These five sisters are named because their case establishes a crucial legal precedent regarding inheritance and property rights within the Israelite system.
Verse 3
They carefully distinguish their father’s death (due to natural causes or general wilderness mortality, 'his own sin') from the crimes of the rebels (like Korah), thereby affirming his eligibility for an inheritance in the Promised Land.
Verse 4
In ancient Israel, inheritance was tied to the preservation of the family name and tribal land allotment. If the name died out, the land would eventually pass to another clan, undermining the system of permanent tribal holdings.
Verse 5
Since the existing law did not cover this contingency, Moses acts as an intermediary judge, bringing the difficult case directly before the Lord for divine clarification and legal precedent.
Verse 7
God affirms their request, establishing a groundbreaking law that protected the rights of women to inherit property when no male heir existed, ensuring the continuity of the family line and the land allotment.
Verse 8
Verses 8–11 codify the new law of succession, creating a systematic hierarchy for inheritance (daughter, then brother, then uncle, then nearest kinsman) to keep property within the immediate family and tribe.
Verse 12
Mount Abarim is a mountain range in Moab, likely including Mount Nebo (Deut 34:1), from which Moses would get his final, restricted view of the Promised Land.
Verse 14
This refers to the incident at Meribah (Num 20:10-13) where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, failing to properly sanctify God before the people and incurring the penalty of not entering Canaan.
Verse 16
Moses demonstrates selfless leadership by immediately prioritizing the welfare of the people over his own impending death. The title 'God of the spirits of all flesh' affirms God’s sovereignty over human life and destiny.
Verse 17
The imagery of ‘sheep which have no shepherd’ emphasizes the vital need for divinely sanctioned leadership to guide the challenging conquest and settlement of the Promised Land.
Verse 18
Joshua is chosen because he is a man 'in whom is the spirit' (Ruach), indicating divine empowerment, wisdom, and fitness for leadership, building on his previous faithfulness as Moses' servant.
Verse 20
To 'put some of thine honour' (Heb. *hod*) upon Joshua signifies the public and ceremonial transfer of Moses' authority and majesty, ensuring the congregation would respect and obey their new leader.
Verse 21
Joshua’s leadership is restricted; he must consult Eleazar, who uses the Urim (objects used for divine counsel via the High Priest’s breastplate). This makes the military and political leadership subordinate to God’s direct command.
Verse 23
The laying on of hands formalized the commissioning, transferring authority, and conferring blessing upon Joshua in the sight of the entire community, confirming him as the divinely chosen successor.
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The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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