1 Then 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. 2 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, 3 "Our father died in the wilderness, and 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; and he had no sons. 4 Why 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." 5 Moses brought their cause before Yahweh. 6 Yahweh 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; and you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. 8 You 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. 9 If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers. 11 If 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: and it shall be to the children of Israel a statute (and) ordinance, as Yahweh commanded Moses.'" 12 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered; 14 because you 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.) 15 Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying, 16 "Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17 who 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 not be as sheep which have no shepherd." 18 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight. 20 You shall put of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. 21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh: 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." 22 Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23 and he laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
The daughters of Zelophehad claim their inheritance, Numbers 27:1-4. Moses brings their case before the Lord, Numbers 27:5. He allows their claim, Numbers 27:6, Numbers 27:7; and a law is made to regulate the inheritance of daughters, Numbers 27:8-11. Moses is commanded to go up to Mount Abarim, and view the promised land, Numbers 27:12; is apprised of his death, Numbers 27:13; and because he did not sanctify God at the waters of Meribah, he shall not enter into it, Numbers 27:14. Moses requests the Lord to appoint a person to supply his place as leader of the Israelites, Numbers 27:15-17. God appoints Joshua, commands Moses to lay his hands upon him, to set him before Eleazar the priest, and give him a charge in the sight of the people, Numbers 27:18-20. Eleazar shall ask counsel for him by Urim, and at his command shall the Israelites go out and come in, Numbers 27:21. Moses does as the Lord commanded him, and consecrates Joshua, Numbers 27:22, Numbers 27:23.
INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 27
This chapter relates, that, upon a petition of the daughters of Zelophehad, the affair of inheritances was settled; and it is directed that, in case of want of male issue, inheritances should pass to females, and in failure of them to the next of kin, whether father's brethren or any near kinsman, Numbers 27:1, also an order to Moses to go up to the Mount Abarim, and take a view of the good land, and die; with the reason of it, Numbers 27:12, upon which Moses desires a successor of him might be appointed, Numbers 27:15, in answer to which Joshua is nominated, and being presented before the high priest and the people, was invested with his office, by imposition of hands, and had his charge given him, Numbers 27:18.
(Numbers 27:1-11) The daughters of Zelophehad apply for an inheritance, The law of inheritances.
(Numbers 27:12-14) Moses warned of his death.
(Numbers 27:15-23) Joshua appointed to succeed Moses.
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