Numbers 26:33

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:33 stands as a concise yet profoundly significant verse within the second census of Israel, conducted on the plains of Moab. It meticulously records the lineage of Zelophehad, son of Hepher, noting the critical detail that he had no male heirs, but five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. This seemingly simple genealogical entry is pivotal, as it immediately precedes and lays the foundational premise for a groundbreaking legal challenge concerning land inheritance, highlighting a unique situation that would necessitate divine intervention and a reevaluation of Israelite custom regarding the passing of tribal land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:33 is embedded within a comprehensive census of the Israelite tribes, taken approximately 38 years after the first census at Sinai. This second enumeration, detailed in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), served a dual purpose: to account for the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land and, crucially, to provide the basis for the equitable distribution of that land by lot, with larger tribes receiving more territory. Each family and clan was to receive an inheritance proportionate to its size, ensuring that the tribal allocations remained intact. The mention of Zelophehad's daughters, therefore, is not a mere aside but a deliberate inclusion that immediately sets up the legal dilemma explored in the subsequent chapter, [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Petition"), and later reinforced in [Numbers 36](/numbers/36 "Numbers 36 - Marriage Laws for Heiresses"). The verse acts as a narrative hinge, transitioning from the general census to a specific case that challenges the established patriarchal inheritance system.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, as in many patriarchal cultures of the ancient Near East, land inheritance was almost exclusively through the male line. Sons were the primary inheritors, ensuring the continuity of the family name and the preservation of the ancestral land within the tribe. This system was vital for maintaining tribal identity, economic stability, and the fulfillment of God's covenant promise of land. Daughters typically inherited only in the absence of sons, and even then, their inheritance might revert to the husband's family upon marriage or be subject to specific conditions to prevent tribal land from transferring to another tribe. The plains of Moab, where this census took place, represented the threshold of the Promised Land, making the issue of land distribution acutely relevant. The daughters' subsequent petition, born from the situation described in [Numbers 26:33](/numbers/26-33 "Numbers 26:33 - Zelophehad's Daughters Named"), was thus a bold and unprecedented move, challenging a deeply entrenched cultural norm for the sake of their family's legacy and their father's name.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, introduces and contributes to several significant themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Equity**. God's response to the daughters' plea, as detailed in [Numbers 27:6-7](/numbers/27-6 "Numbers 27:6-7 - God's Affirmation of the Daughters' Right"), demonstrates His willingness to transcend human customs and provide a just solution for those who might otherwise be marginalized or disadvantaged by existing laws. Secondly, it underscores **God's Meticulous Care for His People**. The Lord is not distant but intimately involved in the practicalities of Israelite life, even down to individual family inheritance. This attentiveness ensures that no one is overlooked in the distribution of the covenant promise of land. Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **Challenging Patriarchal Norms**, paving the way for a legal precedent that empowered women in a way uncommon for the time, ensuring that the names and legacies of families without male heirs would not be extinguished from Israel's inheritance. This sets a precedent for future legal adjustments based on principles of fairness and the preservation of family lines within the promised land, as seen in their eventual inheritance in [Joshua 17:3-6](/joshua/17-3 "Joshua 17:3-6 - The Inheritance of Zelophehad's Daughters").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zelophehad (Hebrew, _Tselophechad'_):** This name, meaning "first-born rupture" or "shadow of fear," is significant not for its etymology (which is debated and not directly relevant to the narrative's thrust), but for the individual it represents. Zelophehad's death without sons creates the specific legal and social crisis that the verse introduces. His family's predicament becomes the catalyst for a divine decree that profoundly impacts Israelite inheritance law, making his name synonymous with this groundbreaking legal precedent. The fact that his daughters are named and their situation highlighted underscores the importance of individual cases in the unfolding of God's law.
* **Daughters (Hebrew, _banot'_):** The explicit mention that Zelophehad had "no sons, but daughters" is the crux of the verse. In a society where inheritance typically passed through the male line, the existence of only daughters presented a unique challenge to the established system of land distribution. The naming of each daughter—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—personalizes the narrative, transforming a legal abstract into a specific family's struggle. Their collective identity as "daughters" highlights their shared vulnerability under existing law and their shared courage in seeking justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters:"** This opening clause establishes the lineage of Zelophehad, connecting him to Hepher, a descendant of Manasseh (son of Joseph). The critical piece of information is the absence of male heirs, immediately setting the stage for the legal dilemma. In ancient Israel, the lack of sons meant the family line was at risk of dying out in terms of land inheritance, as tribal land was typically passed down through males. This statement is a factual declaration with profound implications for the family's future and their portion in the Promised Land.
* **"and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad [were] Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."** This second clause provides the specific names of the five daughters. The act of naming them is significant; it grants them individual identity and agency within the narrative. Rather than being an anonymous group, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah become distinct characters whose collective action will lead to a landmark legal ruling. Their inclusion in the census, despite the challenge their situation posed, underscores the meticulous nature of God's record-keeping and His attention to every family unit within Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:33 employs several literary devices to achieve its narrative and theological aims. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as this seemingly simple genealogical entry directly sets the stage for the dramatic legal petition of Zelophehad's daughters in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Petition") and the subsequent divine ruling that alters Israelite inheritance law. The verse also utilizes **Nomenclature**, the systematic naming of individuals (Zelophehad, Hepher, and especially the five daughters), which serves to personalize the legal issue and underscore the importance of lineage and individual identity within the tribal structure. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the traditional patriarchal inheritance system (implied by the problem of "no sons") and the forthcoming divine solution that will allow daughters to inherit, thereby highlighting God's flexibility and justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:33, by introducing the unique case of Zelophehad's daughters, serves as a powerful testament to God's commitment to justice and equity within His covenant community. It reveals that the divine law is not static or rigidly bound by human custom when those customs lead to injustice or the dissolution of family lines within the promised inheritance. The narrative demonstrates God's attentiveness to the marginalized and His willingness to establish new precedents to ensure fairness and the preservation of family legacies. This event underscores that God's covenant promises of land and blessing extend to all members of Israel, regardless of gender, and that He actively intervenes to uphold the integrity of His people's inheritance.

* [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-11 - The Daughters' Petition and God's Ruling")
* [Numbers 36:1-12](/numbers/36-1 "Numbers 36:1-12 - The Law Regarding Heiresses' Marriages")
* [Joshua 17:3-6](/joshua/17-3 "Joshua 17:3-6 - The Daughters of Zelophehad Receive Their Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story initiated by Numbers 26:33 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers regarding justice, advocacy, and God's character. It challenges us to consider how we, as individuals and as the church, respond to situations where existing norms or structures might inadvertently create disadvantage or injustice for certain groups. The daughters of Zelophehad serve as models of courageous and respectful advocacy, demonstrating that it is possible to challenge established systems for the sake of righteousness without undermining authority. Their success reminds us that God is not confined by human traditions but is deeply concerned with fairness and the flourishing of all His people. This narrative calls us to cultivate a heart sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable, to speak up for those who lack a voice, and to trust that God, in His wisdom and compassion, will provide just solutions that uphold His covenant promises and ensure that no one is forgotten in His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community might I be called to advocate for justice, even if it means challenging established norms?**
* **How does the story of Zelophehad's daughters inform my understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and compassion?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that those who are marginalized or overlooked in my sphere of influence are seen, heard, and valued?**
* **How does the principle of "inheritance" in this passage relate to the spiritual inheritance we receive in Christ, and what responsibilities come with that inheritance?**

### FAQ

**Why is Zelophehad's family singled out in the census?**

Answer: Zelophehad's family is singled out because his death without male heirs presented a unique and critical challenge to the traditional Israelite law of land inheritance. According to custom, land passed exclusively through sons, and without them, a family's portion of the tribal land would be lost, and their name extinguished from the tribal record. The mention of his daughters in [Numbers 26:33](/numbers/26-33 "Numbers 26:33 - Zelophehad's Daughters Named") is not an arbitrary detail but a deliberate narrative setup for the groundbreaking legal petition they would bring before Moses, Eleazar, and the leaders of Israel, as detailed in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad's Petition"). This specific case allowed God to reveal a new aspect of His law, demonstrating His commitment to justice and the preservation of family lines within the Promised Land.

**What was the significance of land inheritance in ancient Israel?**

Answer: Land inheritance was profoundly significant in ancient Israel, far beyond mere economic value. It was directly tied to God's covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abram")). Each tribe and family's allocated portion of land was their perpetual inheritance, a tangible sign of their participation in God's covenant and their identity as His people. Losing one's land meant losing one's familial and tribal identity, economic security, and a direct link to the fulfillment of God's promises. The land was considered God's gift, to be held in trust by families, ensuring continuity across generations and preventing its permanent alienation, as underscored by laws like the Jubilee year (e.g., [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land is Mine")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Zelophehad's daughters, initiated by [Numbers 26:33](/numbers/26-33 "Numbers 26:33 - Zelophehad's Daughters Named"), finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Just as God intervened to ensure an inheritance for those seemingly excluded by human custom, so too does Christ secure a spiritual inheritance for all who believe, regardless of their societal standing, gender, or ethnic background. In Christ, the barriers that once divided humanity are broken down, as [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ") declares, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Jesus, as the ultimate heir of all things (e.g., [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")), graciously shares His inheritance with His co-heirs, the church (e.g., [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Furthermore, the divine attentiveness to the marginalized in Numbers foreshadows Christ's ministry, where He consistently championed the cause of the overlooked and outcast, offering them a place in God's kingdom and an eternal inheritance that far surpasses any earthly portion (e.g., [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). The justice and equity demonstrated by God in Numbers 26:33 ultimately point to the perfect justice and boundless grace found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who ensures that all who are in Him receive their rightful place in God's eternal family.

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 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 36:10

Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad:

Numbers 36:12

[And] they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.