Numbers — Chapter 27

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1Then 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.

2And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

3Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.

4Why 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.

5And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.

6And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

7The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

8And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.

9And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

10And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren.

11And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

12And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.

13And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.

14For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

15And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,

16Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

17Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

18And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

19And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

20And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

22And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

23And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

1Then drew near 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.

2And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting, saying,

3Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of them that gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.

4Why 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.

5And Moses brought their cause before Jehovah.

6And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

7The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father`s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

8And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.

9And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.

10And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father`s brethren.

11And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute [and] ordinance, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

12And Jehovah said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, and behold the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.

13And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered;

14because ye rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15And Moses spake unto Jehovah, saying,

16Let Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,

17who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Jehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

18And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thy hand upon him;

19and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

20And thou shalt put of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.

21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

22And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

23and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as Jehovah spake by Moses.

1Then the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh of the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph came forward. Now these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

2And they stood before Moses and Eleazar the priest and the leaders of the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said,

3“Our father died in the wilderness, although he was not part of the company of those that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but he died for his own sin, and he had no sons.

4Why should the name of our father be lost from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among the relatives of our father.”

5So Moses brought their case before the Lord.

6The Lord said to Moses:

7“The daughters of Zelophehad have a valid claim. You must indeed give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s relatives, and you must transfer the inheritance of their father to them.

8And you must tell the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you must transfer his inheritance to his daughter;

9and if he has no daughter, then you are to give his inheritance to his brothers;

10and if he has no brothers, then you are to give his inheritance to his father’s brothers;

11and if his father has no brothers, then you are to give his inheritance to his relative nearest to him from his family, and he will possess it. This will be for the Israelites a legal requirement, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”

12Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range, and see the land I have given to the Israelites.

13When you have seen it, you will be gathered to your ancestors, as Aaron your brother was gathered to his ancestors.

14For in the wilderness of Zin when the community rebelled against me, you rebelled against my command to show me as holy before their eyes over the water—the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.”

15Then Moses spoke to the Lord:

16“Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all humankind, appoint a man over the community,

17who will go out before them, and who will come in before them, and who will lead them out, and who will bring them in, so that the community of the Lord may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.”

18The Lord replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;

19set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community, and commission him publicly.

20Then you must delegate some of your authority to him, so that the whole community of the Israelites will be obedient.

21And he will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the Lord by the decision of the Urim. At his command they will go out, and at his command they will come in, he and all the Israelites with him, the whole community.”

22So Moses did as the Lord commanded him; he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community.

23He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord commanded, by the authority of Moses.

1Then 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 came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.

2They stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,

3“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Yahweh in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.

4Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”

5Moses brought their cause before Yahweh.

6Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

7“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.

8You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

9If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.

10If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.

11If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. This shall be a statute and ordinance for the children of Israel, as Yahweh commanded Moses.’”

12Yahweh said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel.

13When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered;

14because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying,

16“Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,

17who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”

18Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.

19Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.

20You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey.

21He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”

22Moses did as Yahweh commanded him. He took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation.

23He laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

The daughters of Zelophehad receive an inheritance ruling, and God commissions Joshua as Moses' successor to lead Israel into the land.

Authorship & Background

Author: Moses. Numbers is the fourth book of the Pentateuch, written during the wilderness period (approximately 1445-1405 BC). Hebrew title: "Bemidbar" — "In the wilderness." The book records Israel's 38 years of wilderness wandering between Sinai and the Promised Land — a journey that should have taken 11 days (Deuteronomy 1:2) but took 40 years due to unbelief.
Historical Context: Chapter 27 contains two momentous events: (1) the daughters of Zelophehad successfully petition for inheritance rights when no male heir exists (vv.1-11), and (2) Joshua is publicly commissioned as Moses' successor (vv.12-23). Both events look forward to the conquest and settlement of Canaan. The daughters' petition demonstrates that God's law is not rigid legalism but living justice — capable of addressing new situations while preserving core principles. Moses' replacement demonstrates that no human leader is indispensable — God's work continues beyond any individual. Moses, who struck the rock in anger (20:7-12), is told he will see the Promised Land but not enter it. His response is not bitterness but selfless concern: "Let the LORD... set a man over the congregation" (v.16). His final act of leadership is ensuring the people have a shepherd after him.
The Daughters of Zelophehad (vv.1-4): Five sisters — Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah — come before Moses, Eleazar, the princes, and the whole congregation at the tabernacle entrance. Their father Zelophehad (of Manasseh) died in the wilderness — not in Korah's rebellion but "in his own sin" (the general sin of the wilderness generation). He had no sons. They ask: "Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers" (v.4). Their request is bold, public, legally reasoned, and faithful — they believe the land promise enough to claim their share.
God's Ruling (vv.5-11): Moses brings their case before the LORD. God's verdict: "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right" (KJV) / "are right" (ESV). God establishes a new statute of inheritance: (1) if no son, the daughter inherits; (2) if no daughter, the brothers inherit; (3) if no brothers, the father's brothers inherit; (4) if no paternal uncles, the nearest kinsman inherits. The principle: inheritance must not be lost from a family — the name and portion must be preserved.
Moses Told of His Death (vv.12-14): God commands Moses to ascend Mount Abarim (the mountain range including Nebo/Pisgah) and view the Promised Land. After seeing it, he will be "gathered to his people" — a euphemism for death that implies reunion with the departed. The reason: "you rebelled against my word... failing to uphold me as holy at the waters" (ESV) — the sin at Meribah-Kadesh (20:7-12) where Moses struck the rock in anger instead of speaking to it.
Moses' Selfless Response (vv.15-17): Moses does not argue, plead, or complain. His immediate concern is for the people: "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation" (v.16). He asks for a shepherd — "that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd" (v.17). Moses' greatest moment may be this one: accepting God's discipline while ensuring God's people are cared for.
Joshua Commissioned (vv.18-23): God chooses Joshua son of Nun — "a man in whom is the Spirit" (v.18). Moses lays hands on him publicly before Eleazar and the congregation, investing him with "some of" his authority (v.20) — not all. Joshua will not have Moses' direct access to God; he must inquire through the Urim via Eleazar the priest (v.21). The leadership structure shifts: Moses spoke face-to-face with God; Joshua will depend on the priestly oracle. Moses was prophet, priest-like mediator, and leader; Joshua will be military commander under priestly guidance.

Map & Geography

  • Plains of Moab: Israel is camped in the plains of Moab (opposite Jericho). Joshua is commissioned here as Moses' successor.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik highlights the daughters' faith: they believed in the promise of the land so strongly that they demanded their share before it was even conquered. He also notes that Moses' gracious response to his own exclusion reveals a man transformed from the angry rock-striker of chapter 20.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "Moses asks for a shepherd — not a king, not a general, not a politician — a shepherd. This is what God's people always need: one who feeds, leads, protects, and gathers. Moses knew that Israel's greatest danger was not Canaanite armies but leaderless wandering. A flock without a shepherd scatters, starves, and is devoured. Christ is the answer to Moses' prayer — the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, who will never be 'gathered to His people' and leave them orphaned."

Reflection

  • 1. Bold faith claims the promise (vv.1-4). The daughters of Zelophehad did not passively accept exclusion — they brought their case before God. They believed the land promise so firmly that they demanded their share before it was conquered. Do you approach God's promises with that kind of confident expectation?
  • 2. God says "they are right" (v.7). God is not threatened by honest questions or bold petitions. He welcomes those who come with legitimate needs and faith-filled requests. The law is not a cage — it is a framework for justice that can address new situations.
  • 3. Moses accepts discipline without bitterness (vv.12-14). He will not enter the land — and he does not argue. His response is not self-pity but selfless concern for the people. Maturity is accepting consequences gracefully while continuing to serve faithfully.
  • 4. "As sheep which have no shepherd" (v.17). Moses' deepest concern is not his own legacy but the people's welfare. True leadership thinks about succession — who will care for the flock after me? Are you investing in the next generation of leaders?
  • 5. "A man in whom is the Spirit" (v.18). The essential qualification for spiritual leadership is not education, charisma, or experience — it is the Spirit of God. Without the Spirit, all other qualifications are insufficient.
  • 6. "Some of your authority" (v.20). Joshua receives a portion, not the fullness, of Moses' role. No successor perfectly replicates the predecessor. Each leader has their own measure and their own limitations. Only Christ holds all authority without limitation (Matthew 28:18).