Numbers 27 Study Notes
General
What point did the daughters make about how their father died (Numbers 27:3-4)?
Answer: He died for his own sin, not as one of Korah’s company
The daughters explain that their father perished in the desert, but not as part of Korah’s band that rose up against the LORD (27:3). Those rebels had met a special judgment (16:31-33). Instead, he died for his own sin, apparently sharing the sentence God had passed on the whole wilderness generation (14:35), and he left no sons. Their worry was that his name would vanish from his clan simply for lack of a male heir, so they ask for land among their uncles (27:4). God’s law elsewhere also shows concern that a dead man’s name not be wiped out in Israel (Deuteronomy 25:6).
- Numbers 27:3-4 (BSB)““Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.””The daughters explain how their father died and ask for property so his name will not disappear.
- Numbers 16:31-33 (BSB)“As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.”Shows the distinct judgment on Korah’s followers, from whom the daughters separate their father.
- Numbers 14:35 (BSB)“I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this entire wicked congregation, which has conspired against Me. They will meet their end in the wilderness, and there they will die.””God’s sentence that the wilderness generation would die explains how Zelophehad died.
- Deuteronomy 25:6 (BSB)“The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”Shows the law’s concern that a dead man’s name not be erased from Israel.
Theological
How do the daughters frame their father’s death in support of their petition (Numbers 27:3-4)?
Answer: He died for his own sin, not as one of Korah’s company
The daughters distinguish their father from Korah’s company, whose rebellion drew a distinct judgment (27:3; 16:31-33). Zelophehad died for his own sin, evidently sharing the sentence pronounced on the wilderness generation (14:35) rather than falling in a revolt against God’s appointed leaders, and left no sons. Their concern is the preservation of his name within his clan, so they request a holding among his brothers (27:4). The same concern to keep a dead man’s name alive in Israel underlies the levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:6).
- Numbers 27:3-4 (BSB)““Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.””The daughters explain how their father died and ask for property so his name will not disappear.
- Numbers 16:31-33 (BSB)“As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.”Shows the distinct judgment on Korah’s followers, from whom the daughters separate their father.
- Numbers 14:35 (BSB)“I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this entire wicked congregation, which has conspired against Me. They will meet their end in the wilderness, and there they will die.””God’s sentence that the wilderness generation would die explains how Zelophehad died.
- Deuteronomy 25:6 (BSB)“The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.”Shows the law’s concern that a dead man’s name not be erased from Israel.
General
Where did Zelophehad’s daughters bring their request, and before whom (Numbers 27:1-2)?
Answer: At the Tent of Meeting’s door, facing Moses, Eleazar, and all Israel
The five daughters of Zelophehad, from the tribe of Manasseh, Joseph’s son, come to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (27:1-2). The Tent of Meeting was the sacred tent where God met with His people. There they stand before Moses and the priest Eleazar, with the tribal leaders and all the people present. They make their appeal openly, at the very entrance where God had promised to meet with Israel (Exodus 29:42-43). Years later they would stand before Eleazar and Joshua to claim what had been promised (Joshua 17:3-4).
- Numbers 27:1-2 (BSB)“Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said,”The daughters of Zelophehad come to the Tent of Meeting and stand before Israel’s leaders.
- Exodus 29:42-43 (BSB)“For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory.”God promises to meet with Israel at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Joshua 17:3-4 (BSB)“But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.”The same daughters later come before Eleazar and Joshua and receive their land.
Theological
In what setting do Zelophehad’s daughters present their petition (Numbers 27:1-2)?
Answer: At the Tent of Meeting’s door, facing Moses, Eleazar, and all Israel
The daughters, whose genealogy is traced through Hepher, Gilead, and Machir to Manasseh, bring their case to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting (27:1-2), before Moses and the priest Eleazar with the tribal leaders and all the people present. The petition is public and brought to the entrance where God had promised to meet His people (Exodus 29:42-43). The same women later appear before Eleazar and Joshua to receive the allotment God had granted (Joshua 17:3-4).
- Numbers 27:1-2 (BSB)“Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said,”The daughters of Zelophehad come to the Tent of Meeting and stand before Israel’s leaders.
- Exodus 29:42-43 (BSB)“For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory.”God promises to meet with Israel at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Joshua 17:3-4 (BSB)“But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.”The same daughters later come before Eleazar and Joshua and receive their land.
General
According to Numbers 27:21, how would Joshua receive guidance from the LORD?
Answer: Through the priest Eleazar asking God by means of the Urim
God had spoken with Moses directly, face to face (12:8). Joshua, by contrast, was to stand before the priest Eleazar, who would ask for God’s decision for him by using the Urim (27:21). The Urim was a sacred object kept by the high priest, together with the Thummim, in the chest piece he wore, and it was used to learn God’s will (Exodus 28:30). Later, when God refused to answer King Saul, the Urim is named as one of the ways He was expected to speak (1 Samuel 28:6). Joshua and all the people would move at God’s direction.
- Numbers 27:21 (BSB)“He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.””Joshua is to receive God’s guidance through Eleazar and the Urim.
- Numbers 12:8 (BSB)“I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?””God spoke with Moses face to face, in contrast to how Joshua would be guided.
- Exodus 28:30 (BSB)“And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.”The Urim and Thummim were placed in the high priest’s breastpiece for seeking judgment before the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 28:6 (BSB)“He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.”Names the Urim as one of the ways God was expected to answer those who inquired of Him.
Theological
What means of divine guidance does Numbers 27:21 establish for Joshua?
Answer: Through the priest Eleazar asking God by means of the Urim
Whereas God spoke with Moses face to face (12:8), Joshua is to stand before Eleazar, who would seek God’s judgment for him by the Urim (27:21). The Urim, kept with the Thummim in the high priest’s breastpiece of judgment (Exodus 28:30), served as an appointed means of seeking God’s answer, as its later mention alongside dreams and prophets confirms (1 Samuel 28:6). Joshua’s leadership, and the movement of the whole congregation, would thus remain subject to God’s word.
- Numbers 27:21 (BSB)“He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.””Joshua is to receive God’s guidance through Eleazar and the Urim.
- Numbers 12:8 (BSB)“I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?””God spoke with Moses face to face, in contrast to how Joshua would be guided.
- Exodus 28:30 (BSB)“And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.”The Urim and Thummim were placed in the high priest’s breastpiece for seeking judgment before the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 28:6 (BSB)“He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.”Names the Urim as one of the ways God was expected to answer those who inquired of Him.
General
How did the LORD describe Joshua, and what was Moses to do to him (Numbers 27:18)?
Answer: A man with God’s Spirit; Moses was to lay hands on him
God names Joshua, Nun’s son, as the man, describing him as a man in whom the Spirit is, and tells Moses to lay hands upon Joshua (27:18). Joshua had been Moses’ assistant since his youth (11:28). Laying hands on him was a public sign of passing on the leader’s role. Deuteronomy says that because Moses laid hands on him, Joshua received wisdom from the Spirit, and Israel obeyed him (Deuteronomy 34:9). The early church also laid hands on those appointed to serve (Acts 6:6).
- Numbers 27:18 (BSB)“And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.”God chooses Joshua, a man with the Spirit, and tells Moses to lay hands on him.
- Numbers 11:28 (BSB)“Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!””Shows Joshua had served as Moses’ attendant since his youth.
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (BSB)“Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.”Joshua is filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid hands on him, and Israel obeys him.
- Acts 6:6 (BSB)“They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.”The apostles lay hands on those appointed to serve, a later use of the same act.
Theological
How does Numbers 27:18 characterize Joshua, and what act designates him?
Answer: A man with God’s Spirit; Moses was to lay hands on him
The LORD identifies Joshua as a man indwelt by the Spirit and directs Moses to lay hands upon Joshua (27:18). Joshua had served as Moses’ attendant from his youth (11:28), and the imposition of hands publicly marks the transfer of office. Deuteronomy 34:9 connects the laying on of hands with Joshua receiving wisdom from the Spirit and Israel’s obedience to him, and the apostolic church used the same act to appoint servants (Acts 6:6).
- Numbers 27:18 (BSB)“And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.”God chooses Joshua, a man with the Spirit, and tells Moses to lay hands on him.
- Numbers 11:28 (BSB)“Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!””Shows Joshua had served as Moses’ attendant since his youth.
- Deuteronomy 34:9 (BSB)“Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.”Joshua is filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid hands on him, and Israel obeys him.
- Acts 6:6 (BSB)“They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.”The apostles lay hands on those appointed to serve, a later use of the same act.
General
True or False: Moses commissioned Joshua privately inside the tent, with only Eleazar present (Numbers 27:19-23).
Answer: False
This is false. God tells Moses to have Joshua stand before Eleazar and the entire congregation and to commission him publicly, sharing part of his own authority so that all Israel would obey him (27:19-20). Moses carried out the instruction exactly, in front of everyone (27:22-23). Later Moses encouraged Joshua with all Israel watching (Deuteronomy 31:7-8), and after Moses died the people promised to obey Joshua just as they had obeyed Moses (Joshua 1:16-17).
- Numbers 27:19-20 (BSB)“Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him.”God commands Joshua to be commissioned before Eleazar and the whole congregation.
- Numbers 27:22-23 (BSB)“Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses.”Moses commissions Joshua publicly, as the LORD had commanded.
- Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (BSB)“Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.””Moses charges Joshua in the presence of all Israel.
- Joshua 1:16-17 (BSB)“So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.”The people pledge to obey Joshua as they obeyed Moses.
Theological
True or False: Numbers 27:19-23 describes Joshua’s commissioning as a private act witnessed only by Eleazar.
Answer: False
This is false. Joshua is to stand before Eleazar and all the people and be commissioned publicly, with part of Moses’ authority conferred on him so that Israel will obey (27:19-20), and Moses does precisely as instructed (27:22-23). The public character of the transfer secures Joshua’s recognized authority, confirmed when Moses charges him before all Israel (Deuteronomy 31:7-8) and when the people pledge the same obedience they gave Moses (Joshua 1:16-17).
- Numbers 27:19-20 (BSB)“Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him.”God commands Joshua to be commissioned before Eleazar and the whole congregation.
- Numbers 27:22-23 (BSB)“Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses.”Moses commissions Joshua publicly, as the LORD had commanded.
- Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (BSB)“Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.””Moses charges Joshua in the presence of all Israel.
- Joshua 1:16-17 (BSB)“So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.”The people pledge to obey Joshua as they obeyed Moses.
General
How did Moses respond to the daughters’ request (Numbers 27:5)?
Answer: He presented their case to God and waited for His answer
Moses does not settle the question on his own. He takes the matter to the LORD (27:5). He had done the same when men who were ceremonially unclean asked about keeping the Passover (9:8), and Israel held the blasphemer in custody while waiting for God to make His will known (Leviticus 24:12). Jethro had advised Moses that his job was to stand for the people before God and carry their disputes to Him (Exodus 18:19). So the new inheritance law rests on God’s own word, not on Moses’ opinion.
- Numbers 27:5 (BSB)“So Moses brought their case before the LORD,”Moses brings the daughters’ case before the LORD.
- Numbers 9:8 (BSB)““Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied.”Moses likewise waits to hear God’s command when faced with a new question about the Passover.
- Leviticus 24:12 (BSB)“They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them.”Israel waits for God’s will to be made clear in another unprecedented case.
- Exodus 18:19 (BSB)“Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him.”Moses’ role was to represent the people before God and bring their causes to Him.
Theological
What procedure does Moses follow in Numbers 27:5?
Answer: He presented their case to God and waited for His answer
Moses refers the case to the LORD (27:5) instead of ruling by his own judgment. This is his consistent practice with unprecedented cases, as with the unclean men and the Passover (9:8) and the blasphemer held until God disclosed His will (Leviticus 24:12), in keeping with his role as the people’s mediator who brings their causes to God (Exodus 18:19). The resulting statute therefore carries divine, not merely Mosaic, authority.
- Numbers 27:5 (BSB)“So Moses brought their case before the LORD,”Moses brings the daughters’ case before the LORD.
- Numbers 9:8 (BSB)““Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied.”Moses likewise waits to hear God’s command when faced with a new question about the Passover.
- Leviticus 24:12 (BSB)“They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them.”Israel waits for God’s will to be made clear in another unprecedented case.
- Exodus 18:19 (BSB)“Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him.”Moses’ role was to represent the people before God and bring their causes to Him.
General
What did the LORD tell Moses to do in Numbers 27:12-13?
Answer: Go up a peak in the Abarim hills and look over the land
God tells Moses to go up a mountain in the Abarim hills and look at the land He has given Israel. After seeing it, Moses would die and join his people, as Aaron had (27:12-13). Being gathered to one’s people is the Bible’s way of speaking of death. Deuteronomy repeats the command and names the mountain as Nebo (Deuteronomy 32:48-50), and later tells how God showed Moses all the land from Pisgah before he died (Deuteronomy 34:1-4).
- Numbers 27:12-13 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was;”God tells Moses to view the land from the Abarim range, after which he will die as Aaron did.
- Deuteronomy 32:48-50 (BSB)“On that same day the LORD said to Moses, “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites as their own possession. And there on the mountain that you climb, you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.”Repeats the command and names Mount Nebo in the Abarim range as the place.
- Deuteronomy 34:1-4 (BSB)“Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead as far as Dan, all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho (the City of Palms) all the way to Zoar. And the LORD said to him, “This is the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.””Records God showing Moses the whole land from the top of Pisgah.
Theological
What does the LORD command Moses in Numbers 27:12-13?
Answer: Go up a peak in the Abarim hills and look over the land
Moses is to ascend a peak of the Abarim hills and survey the land God has given, after which he will die and join his people as Aaron did (27:12-13), the familiar Old Testament idiom for death. Deuteronomy repeats the command, identifying the mountain as Nebo (Deuteronomy 32:48-50), and records its fulfillment when the LORD showed Moses the land from Pisgah (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). Moses is permitted to see the land promised to Israel even though he is barred from entering it.
- Numbers 27:12-13 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was;”God tells Moses to view the land from the Abarim range, after which he will die as Aaron did.
- Deuteronomy 32:48-50 (BSB)“On that same day the LORD said to Moses, “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites as their own possession. And there on the mountain that you climb, you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.”Repeats the command and names Mount Nebo in the Abarim range as the place.
- Deuteronomy 34:1-4 (BSB)“Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead as far as Dan, all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho (the City of Palms) all the way to Zoar. And the LORD said to him, “This is the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.””Records God showing Moses the whole land from the top of Pisgah.
General
Under the law given in Numbers 27:8-11, if a man died with no son and no daughter, who received his inheritance next?
Answer: The dead man’s brothers
God turns this one case into a general rule for all Israel, a lasting statute (27:8, 11). A son inherits first; if there is no son, the daughter; if no daughter, the man’s brothers; if no brothers, the man’s uncles; and if none of those, the nearest relative in his clan (27:8-11). This order keeps each family’s land inside its own clan. The land belonged to God, and Israel held it as His tenants (Leviticus 25:23). Chapter 36 later adds that daughters who inherit must marry within their father’s tribe, so land would not pass from one tribe to another (36:6-8).
- Numbers 27:8-11 (BSB)“Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. And if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the next of kin from his clan, that he may take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites, as the LORD has commanded Moses.’””God sets out the order of inheritance as a lasting statute for Israel.
- Leviticus 25:23 (BSB)“The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.”The land belonged to God, which is why each family’s share was kept within its clan.
- Numbers 36:6-8 (BSB)“This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers.”Later adds that heiresses must marry within their tribe so land stays in the tribe.
Theological
According to the order of succession in Numbers 27:8-11, who inherits when a man leaves neither son nor daughter?
Answer: The dead man’s brothers
The case of Zelophehad becomes a permanent statute for Israel (27:8, 11) establishing an order of succession: son, then daughter, then the deceased’s brothers, then his father’s brothers, then the nearest kinsman of his clan (27:8-11). The effect is to keep each allotment within the clan, since the land was the LORD’s and Israel held it as tenants (Leviticus 25:23). Numbers 36:6-8 supplements the ruling by requiring heiresses to marry within their father’s tribe, so that no inheritance passes between tribes.
- Numbers 27:8-11 (BSB)“Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. And if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the next of kin from his clan, that he may take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites, as the LORD has commanded Moses.’””God sets out the order of inheritance as a lasting statute for Israel.
- Leviticus 25:23 (BSB)“The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.”The land belonged to God, which is why each family’s share was kept within its clan.
- Numbers 36:6-8 (BSB)“This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers.”Later adds that heiresses must marry within their tribe so land stays in the tribe.
General
What did Moses ask of the LORD after hearing that he would die (Numbers 27:15-17)?
Answer: That God would appoint a leader to shepherd the people after him
Moses responds here with a prayer for the people. Calling on God as the One who rules over the life of every person, he asks Him to set a leader over the people who will guide them in all their movements, so that they are not left like a flock with no shepherd (27:16-17). His concern is for the people, not for himself. Jesus later felt compassion for crowds who were just as shepherdless (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34), and He is the good shepherd who gives His own life for His flock (John 10:11).
- Numbers 27:15-17 (BSB)“So Moses appealed to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.””Moses asks God to appoint a leader so the congregation will not be like sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 9:36 (BSB)“When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”Jesus has compassion on crowds described with the same image Moses used.
- Mark 6:34 (BSB)“When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.”Jesus again sees the people as shepherdless and responds by teaching them.
- John 10:11 (BSB)“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”Jesus identifies Himself as the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
Theological
What is the substance of Moses’ request in Numbers 27:15-17?
Answer: That God would appoint a leader to shepherd the people after him
Addressing God as sovereign over the life of every person, Moses asks Him to appoint a leader who will go before the congregation in every undertaking, lest the LORD’s people be shepherdless (27:16-17). The request is selfless, concerned for the flock rather than for his own exclusion. The image recurs when Jesus, moved with compassion, sees the crowds in the same condition (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34), and He presents Himself as the good shepherd who gives His life for His flock (John 10:11).
- Numbers 27:15-17 (BSB)“So Moses appealed to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.””Moses asks God to appoint a leader so the congregation will not be like sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 9:36 (BSB)“When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”Jesus has compassion on crowds described with the same image Moses used.
- Mark 6:34 (BSB)“When Jesus stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.”Jesus again sees the people as shepherdless and responds by teaching them.
- John 10:11 (BSB)“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”Jesus identifies Himself as the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
General
True or False: The LORD answered that Zelophehad’s daughters were right and must be given their father’s inheritance (Numbers 27:6-7).
Answer: True
This is true. God declares that the daughters have spoken rightly and commands that they be given land among their father’s relatives, with his inheritance passed on to them (27:7). Later, when leaders of their clan raise a follow-up question, they recall this same command (36:2). Joshua carried it out when the land was divided (Joshua 17:3-4). God’s answer granted their request and kept their father’s name and portion in Israel.
- Numbers 27:6-7 (BSB)“and the LORD answered him, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them.”God rules that the daughters are right and must receive their father’s inheritance.
- Numbers 36:2 (BSB)“saying, “When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, He also commanded him to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.”The clan leaders later recall that the LORD commanded the inheritance be given to the daughters.
- Joshua 17:3-4 (BSB)“But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.”Joshua gives the daughters their inheritance in keeping with the LORD’s command.
Theological
True or False: In Numbers 27:6-7 the LORD rules in favor of Zelophehad’s daughters and orders his inheritance transferred to them.
Answer: True
This is true. The LORD affirms that the daughters speak correctly and commands that they receive a possession among their uncles, with his inheritance transferred to them (27:7). The ruling is cited as settled law when the clan leaders return with a related question (36:2), and it is executed at the distribution of the land (Joshua 17:3-4). God not only grants the request but secures the father’s name and allotment within Israel.
- Numbers 27:6-7 (BSB)“and the LORD answered him, “The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them.”God rules that the daughters are right and must receive their father’s inheritance.
- Numbers 36:2 (BSB)“saying, “When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, He also commanded him to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters.”The clan leaders later recall that the LORD commanded the inheritance be given to the daughters.
- Joshua 17:3-4 (BSB)“But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD.”Joshua gives the daughters their inheritance in keeping with the LORD’s command.
General
What reason did the LORD give that Moses would not enter the land (Numbers 27:14)?
Answer: He had rebelled at Meribah by not upholding God’s holiness
God reminds Moses that at Meribah, at Kadesh in the desert of Zin, when the people quarreled, he and Aaron rebelled against God’s command and did not show His holiness before them (27:14). At the time God had said that because they did not trust Him, they would not bring the Israelites into Canaan (20:12). Deuteronomy calls it breaking faith and failing to treat God as holy (Deuteronomy 32:51-52), and the psalmist says Moses spoke rashly (Psalm 106:32-33). Even Israel’s greatest prophet was held to account, though God still let him see the land.
- Numbers 27:14 (BSB)“for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.”God explains that Moses rebelled at the waters of Meribah and did not show His holiness.
- Numbers 20:12 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.””God’s original verdict at Meribah: because Moses did not trust Him, he would not lead Israel in.
- Deuteronomy 32:51-52 (BSB)“For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence. Although you shall see from a distance the land that I am giving the Israelites, you shall not enter it.””Describes the sin as breaking faith and failing to treat God as holy, so Moses would only see the land.
- Psalm 106:32-33 (BSB)“At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.”Recalls Moses speaking rashly at Meribah.
Theological
On what grounds does Numbers 27:14 exclude Moses from the land?
Answer: He had rebelled at Meribah by not upholding God’s holiness
The LORD recalls that at Meribah, at Kadesh in the desert of Zin, Moses and Aaron rebelled against His command and failed to display His holiness before the contending congregation (27:14). This restates the verdict of 20:12, where the failure is identified as not trusting God. Deuteronomy 32:51-52 describes it as breaking faith, and Psalm 106:32-33 notes Moses’ rash speech. The discipline is real even for the mediator of the covenant, yet it is tempered with grace, since he is allowed to see the land.
- Numbers 27:14 (BSB)“for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.”God explains that Moses rebelled at the waters of Meribah and did not show His holiness.
- Numbers 20:12 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.””God’s original verdict at Meribah: because Moses did not trust Him, he would not lead Israel in.
- Deuteronomy 32:51-52 (BSB)“For at the waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you broke faith with Me among the Israelites by failing to treat Me as holy in their presence. Although you shall see from a distance the land that I am giving the Israelites, you shall not enter it.””Describes the sin as breaking faith and failing to treat God as holy, so Moses would only see the land.
- Psalm 106:32-33 (BSB)“At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.”Recalls Moses speaking rashly at Meribah.