Numbers 27

Chapter 27

The Daughters of Zelophehad

1 One day a petition was presented by the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their father, Zelophehad, was a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph.2 These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle.t3 “Our father died in the wilderness,” they said. “He was not among Korah’s followers, who rebelled against the LORD; he died because of his own sin. But he had no sons.

4 Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives.”
5 So Moses brought their case before the LORD.6 And the LORD replied to Moses,

7 “The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give them a grant of land along with their father’s relatives. Assign them the property that would have been given to their father.
8 “And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters.9 And if he has no daughter either, transfer his inheritance to his brothers.10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.

11 But if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan. This is a legal requirement for the people of Israel, just as the LORD commanded Moses.”

Joshua Chosen to Lead Israel

12 One day the LORD said to Moses, “Climb one of the mountains east of the river,t and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel.13 After you have seen it, you will die like your brother, Aaron,

14 for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesht in the wilderness of Zin.)
15 Then Moses said to the LORD,16 “O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community.

17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18 The LORD replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people.20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.

21 When direction from the LORD is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the LORD—to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.”
22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community.

23 Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses.

NUMBERS 27

The Daughters of Zelophehad //Are Given Land

1 Zelophehadt was from the Manasseh tribe, and he had five daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

2 One day his daughters went to the sacred tent, where they met with Moses, Eleazar, and some other leaders of Israel, as well as a large crowd of Israelites. The young women said:

3 You know that our father died in the desert. But it was for something he did wrong, not for joining with Korah in rebelling against the [Lord].
Our father left no sons

4 to carry on his family name. But why should his name die out for that reason? Give us some land like the rest of his relatives in our clan, so our father's name can live on.
5 Moses asked the [Lord] what should be done,

6 and the [Lord] answered:

7  t Zelophehad's daughters are right. They should each be given part of the land their father would have received.
8 Tell the Israelites that when a man dies without a son, his daughter will inherit his land. 9 If he has no daughter, his brothers will inherit the land. 10 But if he has no brothers, his father's brothers will inherit the land.

11 And if his father has no brothers, the land must be given to his nearest relative in the clan. This is my law, and the Israelites must obey it.

Joshua Is Appointed //Israel's Leader

(Deuteronomy 31.1-8)

14 because both of you disobeyed me at Meribah near the town of Kadesh in the Zin Desert. When the Israelites insulted me there, you didn't believe in my holy power.”t
15 Moses replied, 16 “You are the [Lord] God, and you know what is in everyone's heart. So I ask you to appoint a leader for Israel.

17 t Your people need someone to lead them into battle, or else they will be like sheep wandering around without a shepherd.”
18  t The [Lord] answered, “Joshua son of Nun can do the job. Place your hands on him to show that he is the one to take your place. 19 Then go with him and tell him to stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the Israelites. Appoint Joshua as their new leader 20 and tell them they must now obey him, just as they obey you.

21 t But Joshua must depend on Eleazar to find out from met what I want him to do as he leads Israel into battle.”
22 Moses followed the [Lord]'s instructions and took Joshua to Eleazar and the people, 23 t then he placed his hands on Joshua and appointed him Israel's leader.