### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word נֹעָה (Nôʻâh), Strong's number `{{H5270}}`, is primarily a proper noun, the name of an Israelite woman. It is derived from the verbal root נוּעַ (nûaʿ), Strong's number `{{H5128}}`, which means "to wave, totter, shake, wander, or move." Therefore, the base meaning of the name itself carries the sense of "movement" or "agitation." While the etymological root suggests motion, when applied as a personal name, its primary function is identification. Any deeper symbolic meaning related to "movement" for this specific individual is not explicitly elaborated in the biblical text, though it could subtly allude to a dynamic character or one whose life involved significant change or journey.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name נֹעָה (Nôʻâh) appears exclusively within the book of Numbers, always in reference to one of the five daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh.
* In [[Numbers 26:33]], Noʻah is first introduced as one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who had no sons. This verse places her within the tribal census, highlighting her family's unique situation regarding inheritance.
* [[Numbers 27:1]] presents Noʻah, along with her sisters Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, and Milcah, making a direct appeal to Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Their petition is remarkable: they request an inheritance in the land of Canaan, arguing that their father's name should not be lost from his clan simply because he had no sons. This bold and unprecedented legal challenge demonstrates their faith, courage, and understanding of the covenantal promise of land.
* The divine response, delivered through Moses, affirms their petition, establishing a new law concerning female inheritance when there are no male heirs. This ruling, recorded in [[Numbers 27:6-11]], ensures that the family line and the land allocation remain intact.
* Finally, [[Numbers 36:11]] records the fulfillment of this divine decree. Noʻah and her sisters marry their cousins (sons of their father's brothers), thereby ensuring that their inheritance remains within their ancestral tribal land, preventing their portion from being transferred to another tribe. This act underscores the importance of preserving tribal land boundaries and lineage.
Noʻah, therefore, is not presented as an individual actor but as part of a collective, whose unified and determined action led to a significant legal and social precedent in ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root נוּעַ (nûaʿ) `{{H5128}}`**: The verbal root from which נֹעָה is derived, meaning "to wander, shake, or move." While the name's meaning is "movement," its application as a proper noun shifts the focus from the action to the identity of a person.
* **Inheritance (נַחֲלָה - naḥălāh) `{{H5159}}`**: This is the central concept driving the narrative of Noʻah and her sisters. Their entire petition revolves around securing their rightful portion of the promised land, which was considered a divine gift and a key aspect of their covenant identity.
* **Justice (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpāṭ) `{{H4941}}`**: The divine ruling in favor of Zelophehad's daughters exemplifies God's justice and equity. It demonstrates that God's law is not static but can be clarified or expanded to ensure fairness and uphold the principles of the covenant.
* **Land (אֶרֶץ - ’ereṣ) `{{H776}}`**: The physical land of Canaan is the object of their inheritance. The promise of land was foundational to Israel's identity and relationship with God, and the daughters' desire for their portion reflects a deep commitment to this covenantal promise.
* **Family/Clan (מִשְׁפָּחָה - mishpāḥāh) `{{H4940}}`**: The preservation of their father's name and inheritance within their clan and tribe was a key motivation for their petition, highlighting the importance of family lineage and tribal integrity in Israelite society.
### Theological Significance
The story of Noʻah and her sisters holds profound theological significance. It showcases God's character as a righteous judge who is attentive to the cries for justice and willing to establish new precedents to ensure equity. Their case demonstrates that divine law is not merely a rigid set of rules but is dynamic, rooted in principles of fairness and provision, and can be clarified through divine revelation in response to specific human circumstances.
Furthermore, the narrative highlights the agency of women in ancient Israel. Noʻah and her sisters are portrayed as proactive, articulate, and faithful individuals who approached the highest authorities with a legitimate legal claim. Their success not only secured their own inheritance but also established a permanent legal framework that benefited other women in similar situations, demonstrating that women could be instrumental in shaping Israelite law and society.
The preservation of land inheritance is also a key theological theme. The land was a tangible symbol of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. By ensuring that Zelophehad's inheritance remained within his family line, even through his daughters, God underscored His commitment to fulfilling His promises and maintaining the ordered distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel. Their faith in appealing to divine justice and their ultimate success serve as an example of trust in God's providential care for His people.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נֹעָה (Nôʻâh), Strong's number `{{H5270}}`, signifies "movement" in its etymological root but functions primarily as the proper name of one of Zelophehad's daughters in the book of Numbers. Appearing in [[Numbers 26:33]], [[Numbers 27:1]], and [[Numbers 36:11]], Noʻah is always depicted as part of a collective of five sisters who boldly petitioned Moses for their rightful inheritance in the promised land, challenging the existing patriarchal inheritance laws due to their father having no sons. Their unprecedented and divinely sanctioned appeal resulted in a foundational legal precedent, allowing daughters to inherit in the absence of male heirs, thereby preserving their father's name and land within their tribe. Theologically, Noʻah's story exemplifies God's justice, His responsiveness to righteous petitions, and the significant role of women in shaping Israelite law and society. It underscores the divine commitment to equitable provision and the preservation of the covenantal promise of land.
TRV