# Numbers 27 š: Zelophehad's Daughters and Joshua
[[š Explore the Bible Books]]
[[-Numbers Overview]] | [[Numbers 26]] | [[Numbers 28]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### Special Inheritance Laws
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā Then the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh of the families of Manasseh,Ā the son of Joseph came forward. Now these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā And 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,Ā
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā āOur father died in the wilderness, althoughĀ he was not part ofĀ the company of those that gathered themselves together against theĀ LordĀ in the company of Korah, but he died for his own sin,Ā and he had no sons.Ā
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā Why should the name of our father be lost from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possessionĀ among the relativesĀ of our father.ā
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā So Moses brought their case before theĀ Lord.Ā
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ said to Moses:
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā āThe daughters of Zelophehad have a valid claim.Ā You must indeedĀ give them possession of an inheritance among their fatherās relatives, and you must transferĀ the inheritance of their father to them.Ā
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā And you must tell the Israelites, āIf a man diesĀ and has no son, then you must transfer his inheritance to his daughter;
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā and if he has no daughter, then you are to give his inheritance to his brothers;Ā
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā and if he has no brothers, then you are to give his inheritance to his fatherās brothers;Ā
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā and 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,Ā as theĀ LordĀ commanded Moses.āā
### Leadership Change
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā Then theĀ LordĀ said to Moses, āGo up this mountain of the Abarim range,Ā and seeĀ the land I have givenĀ to the Israelites.Ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā When you have seen it, you will be gatheredĀ to your ancestors,Ā as Aaron your brother was gathered to his ancestors.Ā
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā ForĀ in the wilderness of Zin when the community rebelled against me, youĀ rebelled against my commandĀ to show me as holyĀ before their eyes over the waterāthe water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā Then Moses spoke to theĀ Lord:Ā
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā āLet theĀ Lord, the God of the spirits of all humankind,Ā appointĀ a man over the community,Ā
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā who will go out before them, and who will come in before them,Ā and who will lead them out, and who will bring them in, so thatĀ the community of theĀ LordĀ may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.ā
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ repliedĀ to Moses, āTake Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit,Ā and lay your hand on him;Ā
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā set himĀ before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community, and commissionĀ him publicly.Ā
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā Then you must delegateĀ some of your authorityĀ to him, so that the whole community of the Israelites will be obedient.
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā And he will stand before Eleazar the priest, whoĀ will seek counselĀ for him before theĀ LordĀ by the decision of the Urim.Ā At his commandĀ they will go out, and at his command they will come in, he and all the Israelites with him, the whole community.ā
[[#Verse 22.]]Ā So Moses did as theĀ LordĀ commanded him; he took Joshua and setĀ him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community.Ā
[[#Verse 23.]]Ā He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as theĀ LordĀ commanded,Ā by the authorityĀ of Moses.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. The five daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (27:1).
2. They stood before Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and the whole community at the tent of meeting (27:2).
3. They noted their father was not part of Korah's rebellion (27:3).
4. God's answer became a lasting law of inheritance (27:8-11).
5. Joshua 17:3-6 records the daughters receiving their inheritance in the land.
6. God let Moses see the land from the Abarim mountains (27:12).
7. Moses calls God "the God of the spirits of all humankind" (27:16).
8. Joshua is described as a man in whom is the Spirit (27:18).
9. Moses laid his hands on Joshua in front of everyone (27:23).
10. Joshua would receive guidance through Eleazar using the Urim (27:21).
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Shepherd God provides so His people are not like sheep without a shepherd (27:17). Jesus saw the crowds as sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them (Matthew 9:36).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. The daughters of Zelophehad boldly brought their case to Moses (27:1-4). What can we learn from their courage and faith?
2. Moses took their case to the Lord instead of deciding on his own (27:5). Why is that wise leadership?
3. Moses' first concern when told he would die was for the people (27:15-17). What does that reveal about his heart?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 4: The daughters ask for a possession among their father's relatives.
- š verse 7: The Lord says the daughters of Zelophehad are right.
- š verses 16-17: Moses asks God to appoint a leader so His people are not like sheep without a shepherd.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[Numbers 36#Verse 01.|Numbers 36:1-12]] - The daughters' case is settled further.
- š [[Joshua 17#Verse 03.|Joshua 17:3-6]] - The daughters receive their land.
- š [[Deuteronomy 34#Verse 09.|Deuteronomy 34:9]] - Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom.
- š [[Matthew 09#Verse 36.|Matthew 9:36]] - Sheep without a shepherd.
- š [[John 10#Verse 11.|John 10:11]] - I am the Good Shepherd.
## š Devotional Reflection
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š Internal Notes