Joshua 17:3

KJV

But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these [are] the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Zelophehad {H6765}, the son {H1121} of Hepher {H2660}, the son {H1121} of Gilead {H1568}, the son {H1121} of Machir {H4353}, the son {H1121} of Manasseh {H4519}, had no sons {H1121}, but daughters {H1323}: and these are the names {H8034} of his daughters {H1323}, Mahlah {H4244}, and Noah {H5270}, Hoglah {H2295}, Milcah {H4435}, and Tirzah {H8656}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Tz'lof'chad the son of Hefer, the son of Gil'ad, the son of Makhir, the son of M'nasheh, had no sons, only daughters; these are the names of his daughters: Machlah, No'ah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirtzah.

Berean Standard Bible

But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

American Standard Version

But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 17:3 meticulously records the lineage of Zelophehad, a descendant of Manasseh, emphasizing that he had no male heirs but five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. This verse is pivotal as it reiterates a unique legal precedent established during the wilderness wanderings, setting the stage for these women to receive a land inheritance in Canaan, thereby ensuring the continuity of their family's claim within the tribal allotment of Manasseh despite the absence of sons.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 17:3 is embedded within the broader narrative of the division of the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes, specifically detailing the allocation to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Chapters 13-19 of Joshua systematically describe this intricate process, fulfilling God's covenant promises. This particular verse serves as a crucial interjection, recalling a significant legal precedent from the book of Numbers. It interrupts the general description of Manasseh's territory to highlight a specific, divinely mandated exception to the traditional male-line inheritance, underscoring the meticulousness with which the land was distributed and the divine oversight of the process. The mention here confirms that the earlier ruling regarding Zelophehad’s daughters was indeed being honored and implemented during the actual land allocation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land inheritance was foundational to tribal identity, economic stability, and the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The standard practice, rooted in patriarchal societal structures, dictated that land passed from father to son, ensuring the continuity of family lines and tribal boundaries. This custom prevented the fragmentation of ancestral holdings and maintained the integrity of the tribal allotments. However, the case of Zelophehad's daughters (first presented in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - Zelophehad's Daughters' Petition") and further elaborated in [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - Marriage Stipulations for Inheriting Daughters")) was an extraordinary circumstance. Their father had died without sons, and without a divine intervention, their family line would have lost its inheritance in the Promised Land. This situation prompted a direct appeal to Moses, which resulted in a divine decree allowing daughters to inherit in the absence of sons, provided they married within their own tribe to prevent tribal land transfer. Joshua 17:3 confirms the implementation of this unique, divinely ordained legal precedent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Joshua and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **God's meticulous justice and faithfulness** in fulfilling His promises to His people, ensuring that no family would be unjustly dispossessed of their rightful inheritance in the land of Canaan. Secondly, it underscores the **adaptability and equity of God's law**, demonstrating that divine statutes were not rigid or insensitive to unique circumstances but could be applied with compassion and fairness, even when challenging established norms. The case of Zelophehad's daughters exemplifies how God's law provided for the vulnerable and upheld the dignity of all His people. Lastly, it subtly emphasizes the **agency and significance of women** in ancient Israelite society, particularly in matters of legal standing and property rights. Their proactive petition in [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - The Daughters of Zelophehad Petition Moses") and the subsequent divine affirmation reveal a remarkable recognition of their rights and a divine willingness to respond to their legitimate claims, ensuring their inclusion in the covenant blessings of the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zelophehad (Hebrew, _Tselophchad'_):** While the precise etymology is debated, possibly meaning "first-born rupture" or "shadow of fear," the significance of Zelophehad here is less about his name's meaning and more about his status as a man who died without male heirs. His lack of sons directly precipitated the legal crisis that led to the groundbreaking divine ruling on female inheritance, making him a pivotal figure in the narrative of land distribution.
* **Daughters (Hebrew, _banot'_):** This term is crucial because it directly contrasts with the expectation of "sons" (_banim_) for inheritance. The explicit mention of "daughters" as the sole offspring highlights the exceptional nature of their claim and the divine intervention required to secure their inheritance, challenging the prevailing patriarchal norms of land transfer.
* **Manasseh (Hebrew, _Menashsheh'_):** Meaning "causing to forget," Manasseh was one of Joseph's two sons and the progenitor of a major Israelite tribe. The detailed lineage tracing Zelophehad back to Manasseh firmly establishes his tribal affiliation and rightful claim to an inheritance within Manasseh's territory, making the daughters' petition a matter of tribal integrity and not merely a personal dispute.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters:"** This opening clause meticulously traces Zelophehad's lineage through five generations back to Manasseh, solidifying his tribal identity and legitimate claim to an inheritance within Manasseh's allotment. The emphatic statement "had no sons, but daughters" immediately highlights the unique and challenging circumstance that necessitated a deviation from the standard inheritance laws, setting the stage for the exceptional divine decree.
* **"and these [are] the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."** The specific naming of all five daughters underscores the personal nature of their case and the divine attention given to their petition. It also serves as a legal and historical record, confirming their identity as the beneficiaries of the unique inheritance ruling. Their individual names are listed, emphasizing their collective agency and the fact that their claim was not merely theoretical but applied to specific, known individuals.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Joshua 17:3 is **Genealogy** and **Repetition**. The detailed genealogical tracing of Zelophehad back to Manasseh serves to establish his legitimate tribal connection and thus his family's rightful claim to a portion of the land. This meticulous listing of lineage is not merely informative but legally foundational, reinforcing the validity of the daughters' petition. The verse also functions as a form of **Repetition** or **Recapitulation**, recalling and re-affirming the divine ruling previously given in Numbers 27 and 36. By reiterating the specific circumstance (no sons, only daughters) and naming the daughters again, the text emphasizes the importance and enduring validity of this precedent as it is now being practically applied in the land distribution. This repetition ensures that the reader understands the historical and legal weight behind this unique exception to the standard inheritance laws.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 17:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God's character as a just and compassionate lawgiver who provides for the vulnerable and ensures equity within His covenant community. The inclusion of Zelophehad's daughters' case here, as the land is being physically divided, demonstrates the practical application of divine justice and the flexibility of God's law to address unforeseen circumstances. It highlights that God's ordinances are not merely abstract principles but are designed to secure the well-being and inheritance of all His people, even when it requires adjusting established social norms. This narrative underscores the truth that God hears the petitions of His people and responds with wisdom and fairness, upholding the dignity and rights of individuals within the broader community.

* [Numbers 27:6-7](/numbers/27-6 "Numbers 27:6-7 - God's Decree on Female Inheritance")
* [Numbers 36:7-9](/numbers/36-7 "Numbers 36:7-9 - Stipulations for Daughters' Inheritance")
* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Justice for the Vulnerable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Zelophehad's daughters, brought to the forefront again in Joshua 17:3, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider how we uphold justice and equity within our own communities, especially for those who might be marginalized or whose circumstances fall outside traditional norms. This narrative encourages us to advocate for fairness, knowing that God Himself is a God who hears the cries of the vulnerable and provides just solutions. It reminds us that God's wisdom is not rigid but adaptable, always seeking the flourishing of His people. We are called to embody this divine compassion, ensuring that our structures and practices reflect God's heart for justice and inclusion. Furthermore, it inspires us to boldly bring our unique circumstances and petitions before God, trusting that He is attentive to our needs and capable of providing pathways that honor His covenant promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does the story of Zelophehad's daughters challenge our assumptions about justice and fairness, particularly concerning those who might be overlooked or disadvantaged in society?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as a community of faith, emulate God's responsiveness to unique needs and advocate for equitable solutions in our contemporary context?**
* **What does this narrative teach us about the nature of God's law and its application in real-life situations, especially regarding its adaptability and compassion?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Zelophehad having no sons?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite society, land inheritance typically passed through the male line to ensure the continuity of family names and the preservation of tribal land allotments. Zelophehad's death without male heirs presented a unique legal dilemma: without a son to inherit, his family's portion of the Promised Land would have been lost to his lineage and absorbed into another family's or tribal holding. This situation prompted his daughters to petition Moses for their right to inherit, leading to a groundbreaking divine ruling that allowed daughters to inherit when there were no sons, provided they married within their own tribe to keep the land within the tribal boundaries of Manasseh (as detailed in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - Zelophehad's Daughters' Petition") and [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - Marriage Stipulations")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The story of Zelophehad's daughters, reiterated in Joshua 17:3, foreshadows the radical inclusivity and just reordering of inheritance found in Christ. In a world where earthly inheritance was often bound by lineage, gender, and social status, Jesus Christ redefines true inheritance through faith, not bloodline. He is the ultimate "heir of all things" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")), and through Him, all believers, regardless of their earthly standing or gender, become "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Just as God's law provided a way for Zelophehad's daughters to receive their earthly inheritance, Christ opens the way for all who believe to receive an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading heavenly inheritance ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). The divine responsiveness to the daughters' plea for justice points forward to the perfect justice and compassion embodied in Christ, who broke down all barriers—including those between Jew and Gentile, male and female—so that all might be "one in Christ Jesus" and "heirs according to the promise" ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28-29 - One in Christ")). Their story is a testament to God's heart for inclusion and equity, fully realized in the new covenant where spiritual inheritance is universally offered through the finished work of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 26:33

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.

Numbers 27:1

¶ Then came 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: and these [are] the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.

Numbers 36:2

And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.

Numbers 36:11

For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons: