Numbers 27:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 27:4 captures the courageous and logical petition of Zelophehad's five daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—who approach Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the Israelite leaders. Their father had died in the wilderness without male heirs, a situation that, under prevailing custom, would have meant the extinguishment of his family name and the forfeiture of his rightful tribal land inheritance. This verse articulates their profound concern for their father's legacy and their demand for a just resolution, asserting their claim to a portion of the Promised Land among their father's kinsmen.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 27:4 is situated within a crucial transitional phase in the book of Numbers, specifically following the second census of Israel (Numbers 26), which enumerated the fighting men who would inherit the land. This census explicitly tied land distribution to the number of males in each family. Immediately preceding this verse, the text describes the death of Zelophehad, noting he did not die in Korah's rebellion but "in his own sin" (Numbers 27:3), a detail that underscores his family's continued right to inheritance, albeit complicated by the lack of sons. The daughters' plea directly challenges the implicit assumption of a purely patrilineal inheritance system, setting the stage for a divine ruling that profoundly shapes Israelite land law (Numbers 27:6-11) and later, marriage law (Numbers 36). Their bold initiative interrupts the normal flow of legal proceedings, highlighting the extraordinary nature of their case.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, land ownership was not merely an economic asset but also deeply intertwined with family identity, social status, and religious covenant. Land was considered an inalienable family possession, passed down through generations, primarily from father to son. This system ensured the continuity of the family "name" (reputation, lineage, legacy) within the community and tribe. For a family's name to be "done away" (KJV) or "cut off" (NIV) meant the complete erasure of their lineage and legacy within the tribal memory and the loss of their portion in the Promised Land, which was a direct fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. Women typically did not inherit land directly, nor did they generally initiate legal proceedings in public forums. The daughters' action was therefore culturally audacious, reflecting a deep understanding of their rights within the covenant and a profound faith in God's justice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Justice and Equity**, demonstrating God's concern for fairness, even when it requires adjusting established norms. The daughters' appeal for a "possession among the brethren of our father" highlights the critical theme of **Inheritance and the Fulfillment of God's Promises**, particularly the promise of the land of Canaan as a permanent dwelling for Israel, as seen in [God's covenant with Abraham](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). Their concern for their father's "name" speaks to the theme of **Preservation of Lineage and Legacy**, which was vital for tribal identity and the continuity of the covenant community, echoing the importance of a lasting name as discussed in [Deuteronomy 25:6](/deuteronomy/25-6 "Deuteronomy 25:6 - Preserving a Brother's Name"). Furthermore, the daughters' initiative exemplifies **Women's Agency and Faith**, showcasing how women could act decisively and righteously within the patriarchal structures of ancient Israel, leading to significant legal and theological developments, a theme also seen in the actions of the [wise woman of Abel Beth Maacah](/2_samuel/20-16 "2 Samuel 20:16 - The Wise Woman of Abel Beth Maacah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Name (Hebrew, _shem_):** In ancient Israelite thought, "name" encompassed far more than a mere label. It represented one's entire identity, reputation, legacy, lineage, and the enduring memory of an individual and their family line. To have one's "name done away" (or "cut off") meant the complete annihilation of their contribution, presence, and future within the tribal and national memory, including the loss of their portion in the land—a deeply significant concern given the covenantal importance of land inheritance.
* **Done away (Hebrew, _nigara'_ from גָּרַע, _gara'_):** This verb means "to diminish, subtract, cut off, take away." Here, it conveys the idea of being completely removed or extinguished from the family register and tribal inheritance. The daughters are arguing against the unjust subtraction of their father's legacy from the collective memory and physical allotment of his clan, simply due to the absence of male heirs.
* **Possession (Hebrew, _'achuzzah'_):** This term refers to a permanent, inherited land holding or property. It signifies a secure, inalienable portion of the Promised Land that was allotted to each family and tribe. The daughters are not asking for temporary use or a handout, but for a permanent, rightful share of the land that would secure their father's legacy and their own future within the community of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son?"**: This opening clause is a powerful rhetorical question, immediately establishing the daughters' central grievance and the perceived injustice. It highlights their profound concern for their father's legacy and the continuity of his lineage. The phrase "done away from among his family" underscores the fear of complete erasure from tribal identity and memory, which was inextricably linked to land inheritance. The reason "because he hath no son" directly challenges the traditional patrilineal system, implicitly questioning its fairness in this specific circumstance.
* **"Give unto us [therefore] a possession among the brethren of our father."**: This is the direct, concrete petition that follows from their rhetorical question. The daughters are not merely lamenting but are actively proposing a solution. They demand a "possession," a permanent land inheritance, not just any land, but specifically "among the brethren of our father," meaning within their ancestral tribal allotment in Manasseh. This demonstrates their understanding of tribal land laws and their desire to maintain their familial and tribal identity within the promised land. The KJV's "[therefore]" (implied in the Hebrew context) rightly connects their plea for justice to their specific request for land.

#### Literary Devices
The daughters' petition in Numbers 27:4 employs several effective **literary devices**. The verse opens with a compelling **rhetorical question**, "Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to challenge the prevailing legal custom and highlight the perceived injustice of their situation. It immediately draws the listener into their dilemma and compels consideration of their argument. Following this, the verse presents a direct, concise **legal petition** or **appeal**: "Give unto us [therefore] a possession among the brethren of our father." This clear and unambiguous demand demonstrates their agency and their understanding of their rights within the covenant community. The entire passage functions as a pivotal **narrative turning point**, as their bold initiative leads directly to a divine revelation that expands and clarifies Israelite inheritance law, demonstrating the dynamic and responsive nature of God's justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 27:4 is a profound testament to God's character as a God of justice, who hears the cries of the vulnerable and is willing to adapt and clarify His law to ensure equity. The daughters of Zelophehad, by appealing to a higher principle of fairness beyond rigid custom, reveal that God's law is not static or unfeeling but living and responsive to specific circumstances and human need. Their case establishes a critical precedent for the inclusion of women in inheritance rights, challenging patriarchal norms when justice demands it. This episode underscores that the Promised Land was not merely a physical territory but a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant, and its distribution was meant to reflect His righteousness and care for all His people, ensuring no family's legacy was unjustly extinguished.

* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Justice for the Orphan and Widow")
* [Job 29:12](/job/29-12 "Job 29:12 - Job's Advocacy for the Fatherless and Vulnerable")
* [Proverbs 31:8-9](/proverbs/31-8 "Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speaking for the Voiceless")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 27:4 serves as a powerful reminder that true justice often requires us to look beyond established traditions and advocate for those who might otherwise be marginalized or overlooked. The daughters of Zelophehad did not passively accept their fate but boldly approached the highest authorities, trusting that God's ultimate justice would prevail. Their story challenges us to cultivate a similar spirit of righteous advocacy, to question systems or customs that perpetuate inequity, and to speak up for the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially those whose voices are often unheard. It encourages us to believe that God is indeed a God who hears the pleas of the vulnerable and is committed to ensuring that His promises and blessings are distributed fairly, preserving the legacy and worth of every person within His covenant community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community might I be called to challenge established norms for the sake of justice and equity?**
* **How does the story of Zelophehad's daughters inspire me to advocate for those who are marginalized or whose voices are not heard?**
* **What "legacy" or "name" am I seeking to preserve, both for myself and for others, in light of God's eternal purposes?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "the name of our father" being "done away"?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, a family's "name" (Hebrew: _shem_) represented its entire identity, reputation, lineage, and enduring memory within the community. For a father's name to be "done away" (or "cut off") meant the complete extinguishment of his family line and legacy within his tribe. This was particularly devastating because it also implied the loss of his family's rightful, permanent land inheritance (_'achuzzah_) in the Promised Land. Since land was tied to tribal identity and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, losing one's land meant losing one's place and future within the covenant community. The daughters' plea was therefore not just about property, but about the very existence and honor of their father's lineage.

**Did women typically inherit land in ancient Israel?**

Answer: No, typically, land inheritance followed a patrilineal system, passing from father to son. Daughters generally did not inherit land directly if there were sons. Their inheritance usually came through their husbands. The case of Zelophehad's daughters was exceptional precisely because their father had no sons, creating a unique legal dilemma. Their bold petition led to a landmark divine ruling (Numbers 27:6-11) that established a new precedent: in the absence of sons, daughters could inherit land, ensuring the preservation of the family's name and portion. This ruling was later clarified to ensure tribal land remained within the tribe through marriage regulations (Numbers 36).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plea of Zelophehad's daughters for the preservation of their father's name and a rightful "possession" in the Promised Land finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The earthly inheritance of land, which secured a family's identity and future, foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ—an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). Just as the daughters sought to prevent their father's name from being "done away," Christ ensures that the names of His people are eternally preserved, written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life"). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), secures for us an eternal "possession" in God's kingdom, a spiritual dwelling far greater than any earthly allotment ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Moreover, the divine justice that responded to the daughters' plea is perfectly embodied in Christ, who, by His life, death, and resurrection, established perfect righteousness and equity, breaking down barriers and granting all believers, regardless of gender or social status, equal access to God's grace and an eternal inheritance ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Distinction in Christ")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to provide a lasting place and an enduring name for all who are called by His name.

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

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.