Numbers 27:6

KJV

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} spake {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI answered Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible

and the LORD answered him,

American Standard Version

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 27:6 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, introducing the divine response to an unprecedented legal petition presented by the daughters of Zelophehad. This brief declaration, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," underscores the immediate and direct nature of God's communication, highlighting His attentiveness to the specific needs and concerns of His people and setting the stage for a groundbreaking legal precedent concerning female inheritance rights in ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 27:6 immediately follows the bold petition of the five daughters of Zelophehad (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah) in [Numbers 27:1-5](/numbers/27-1 "Numbers 27:1-5 - The Petition of Zelophehad's Daughters"). Their father had died in the wilderness without male heirs, and under the prevailing custom, his family name and inheritance within the tribe of Manasseh would cease. These women, demonstrating remarkable faith and legal acumen, approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the entire congregation, arguing that their father's name should not be lost simply because he had no sons. This verse marks the direct divine intervention, indicating that Moses brought their case before the Lord, and God Himself is now providing the definitive ruling that begins in [Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "Numbers 27:7 - God's Ruling on Female Inheritance"). It is a classic example of a legal case brought before God for arbitration, leading to the expansion of Mosaic Law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, inheritance was primarily patrilineal, meaning land and property passed through the male line. This system ensured the perpetuation of family names, tribal boundaries, and the distribution of the promised land among the twelve tribes, as detailed in sections like [Numbers 33:50-56](/numbers/33 "Numbers 33 - Instructions for Conquering Canaan"). The absence of male heirs typically meant the cessation of a family's claim to its allotted land. The daughters of Zelophehad's petition challenged this deeply ingrained custom, not to overturn the system, but to seek a just exception that would preserve their father's name and portion within Israel. This context highlights the immense social and economic implications of their request and the radical nature of God's subsequent ruling, which addressed a specific lacuna in the existing legal framework as Israel prepared to enter and settle Canaan.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Communication and Revelation**, showcasing God's direct and authoritative interaction with Moses, who serves as the primary mediator of God's will and law to Israel, a theme central to [Exodus 20:1](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Attentiveness and Justice**, demonstrating His active involvement in the daily lives and legal concerns of His people, particularly His willingness to listen to the marginalized or those facing unique circumstances and to clarify or expand existing laws to ensure fairness, as seen in principles like those in [Deuteronomy 1:17](/deuteronomy/1-17 "Deuteronomy 1:17 - Impartial Justice"). Thirdly, it illustrates the **Progressive Development of Law**, showing that while God's foundational principles are eternal, His specific statutes could be expanded or clarified to address new situations and ensure justice as Israel matured as a nation and prepared for its future in the Promised Land, foreshadowing the continuous unfolding of divine wisdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yahweh_):** This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, often rendered in English Bibles as "LORD" in all capital letters. Its use here emphasizes God's personal relationship with Israel and His active involvement in their affairs, not as a distant deity, but as the one who hears, responds, and legislates for His covenant people. It signifies His unchanging character and His commitment to justice within the covenant.
* **spake (Hebrew, _dabber_):** The verb "dabber" implies a direct, intentional, and clear verbal communication. It is not merely a thought or an impression, but a definitive utterance. This highlights the authoritative nature of the message being conveyed and Moses' unique role as the recipient of God's direct speech, distinguishing this divine pronouncement from human deliberation or interpretation.
* **Moses (Hebrew, _Mosheh_):** Moses is consistently portrayed as God's chosen mediator and prophet, uniquely privileged to hear God's voice "face to face" ([Exodus 33:11](/exodus/33-11 "Exodus 33:11 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")). His name here reinforces his indispensable role in conveying God's will and law to the Israelite community, particularly in matters of legal dispute and national governance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD spake":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the subsequent pronouncement. It signifies that the resolution to the legal dilemma presented by the daughters of Zelophehad is not a human invention or a compromise, but a direct revelation from the sovereign God of Israel, the covenant-keeping Yahweh. This emphasizes God's active engagement with His people's specific needs.
* **"unto Moses":** This specifies the recipient of the divine communication, reaffirming Moses' unique and unparalleled role as God's chosen prophet and mediator. It underscores that God's will for Israel is channeled through him, making his authority in conveying these laws unquestionable. This also highlights the directness and clarity of the revelation, bypassing any intermediary human council or debate.
* **"saying":** This word indicates that what follows is the direct content of God's verbal message. It sets the expectation for a clear, explicit, and authoritative declaration, signaling that the divine ruling is about to be unveiled. It prepares the audience for a definitive answer to the daughters' petition, demonstrating God's attentiveness and willingness to respond to the cries of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 27:6 employs several significant literary devices, despite its brevity. The most prominent is the **Formulaic Phrase** "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," which functions as a **Divine Speech Indicator**. This recurring phrase throughout the Pentateuch serves as a clear signal that the following words are not human counsel or Mosaic decree, but direct, authoritative revelation from God Himself. It lends immense weight and infallibility to the subsequent legal ruling. Furthermore, the very act of God speaking directly to Moses can be seen as a form of **Theophany** (a manifestation of God), even if not visually described, emphasizing God's active presence and involvement in the legal and social life of His people. This direct communication underscores the divine origin of Israel's laws and the covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 27:6 is far more than a mere narrative connector; it is a profound theological statement. It affirms God's active sovereignty and His intimate involvement in the details of His people's lives, even their legal and social structures. This verse underscores the principle that God is a God of justice who hears the cries of His people, even when their petitions challenge established customs. It reveals a dynamic aspect of divine law, showing that while God's character and foundational principles are immutable, His specific statutes can be clarified or expanded to address unforeseen circumstances and ensure equity. This demonstrates God's compassion and His desire for all His people, regardless of gender or social standing, to experience His justice and provision within the covenant community.

* [Exodus 33:11](/exodus/33-11 "Exodus 33:11 - God Speaks to Moses Face to Face")
* [Deuteronomy 4:10](/deuteronomy/4-10 "Deuteronomy 4:10 - God Speaks from the Fire")
* [Psalm 65:2](/psalms/65-2 "Psalm 65:2 - God Hears Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief declaration in Numbers 27:6 carries profound implications for our walk with God today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our God is not distant or indifferent, but actively engaged with the specific challenges and petitions of His people. Just as He listened attentively to the daughters of Zelophehad, He invites us to bring our unique concerns, even those that seem unconventional or unprecedented, before Him with confidence. This verse encourages us to trust in His justice and wisdom, knowing that He is capable of providing clear guidance and establishing equitable solutions even in complex situations. It calls us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening to His voice, whether through His written Word, the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the counsel of wise believers, always trusting that His divine guidance is available to illuminate our path and ensure that justice and righteousness prevail in our lives and communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the directness of God's communication in this verse encourage you to bring your specific, even "unprecedented," concerns before Him in prayer?**
* **In what ways does God's willingness to clarify or expand His law in response to a human petition challenge your understanding of divine immutability versus divine adaptability?**
* **How can you better cultivate a posture of listening for God's voice in your life, recognizing that He still "speaks" today through various means?**

### FAQ
**Why is this brief verse, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," so significant?**

Answer: This verse is highly significant because it marks the direct divine intervention in a crucial legal case. It signifies that the subsequent ruling regarding female inheritance rights is not a human decision but a direct, authoritative word from God Himself. It highlights God's attentiveness to the specific needs of His people, His commitment to justice, and His willingness to provide clarity and expand His law to address new situations, demonstrating His active involvement in the details of Israel's societal structure. It sets a precedent for divine revelation in response to human petition.

**Does this verse imply that God's laws can change?**

Answer: This verse, and the subsequent ruling, illustrates that while God's fundamental character and eternal principles (like justice, righteousness, and covenant faithfulness) are unchanging, His specific statutes or applications of law can be clarified, expanded, or adapted to address new circumstances or unforeseen situations. It's not a change in God's nature, but a dynamic application of His wisdom to ensure equity and order within His people as they prepared for the complexities of settling the land, as seen in the broader legal framework of the Pentateuch (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:8-11](/deuteronomy/17-8 "Deuteronomy 17:8-11 - Difficult Cases for Judges")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 27:6, with its emphasis on direct divine communication and the progressive unfolding of God's law to address human need, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While God "spake unto Moses" in the Old Covenant, He has now "spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Jesus is the living Word of God, the full and final revelation of the Father, embodying both God's perfect justice and His boundless compassion. Just as God heard the petition of the marginalized daughters of Zelophehad and established a new precedent for justice, Jesus consistently championed the cause of the overlooked and disenfranchised, demonstrating God's heart for all people ([Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - The Poor Hear Good News")). He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, bringing its true intent to light and establishing a new covenant where the Spirit writes God's law on hearts ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"); [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Thus, the attentiveness, justice, and revelatory nature of God displayed in Numbers 27:6 are perfectly and completely manifested in the person and work of Christ, who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")).

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

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation.

Psalms 68:6

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry [land].