Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters.Zelophehad belonged to the clan of Hepher within the tribe of Manasseh, descended from Joseph. His death without sons raised a serious question concerning the preservation of his family’s name and inheritance in the promised land. His daughters later brought their case before Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and the congregation, asking that their father’s name not disappear because he had no son. The Lord affirmed their claim in Numbers 27, establishing that daughters could inherit when a man died without sons. Their inheritance was later protected within Manasseh through marriage within their tribal clan, ensuring that tribal land would not pass from one tribe to another (Numbers 36:1–12). Their faith-filled appeal upheld both justice for their father’s household and God’s ordered distribution of the land. Num 27:5-11 So Moses brought their case before the LORD,… The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Scripture preserves the names of all five daughters because they became central participants in the establishment of Israel’s inheritance law. Mahlah (meaning sickness or disease), Noah (meaning motion or rest), Hoglah (meaning partridge), Milcah (meaning queen or counsel), and Tirzah (meaning delight or pleasure) stood together in requesting the portion assigned to their father’s household. Their united action demonstrated respect for God’s covenant order while seeking the justice God Himself provided. Joshua later records that they received their inheritance among the sons of Manasseh, showing that the Lord’s command was carried out faithfully after Israel entered the land (Joshua 17:3–6). Jos 17:3 But Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters.… Persons / Places / Events 1. ZelophehadA member of the tribe of Manasseh, son of Hepher. He had no sons, which was significant in the context of inheritance laws in ancient Israel. 2. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah The five daughters of Zelophehad. Their mention is significant as they later petition Moses for the right to inherit their father's land, challenging the traditional inheritance laws. 3. Tribe of Manasseh One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's son Manasseh. The tribe's inheritance and lineage are part of the broader account of the Israelites' journey and settlement in the Promised Land. Teaching Points Courage to Challenge InjusticeZelophehad's daughters exemplify the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it goes against societal norms. Believers are encouraged to seek justice and fairness in their communities. God's Provision and Justice The account illustrates God's concern for justice and provision for all His people, regardless of gender. It reminds us that God sees and cares for the marginalized. The Role of Women in God's Plan This account highlights the significant role women can play in God's unfolding plan, encouraging believers to recognize and support the contributions of women in the church and society. Faith in Action The daughters' faith in God's promises led them to take action. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises and act in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the account of Zelophehad's daughters teach us about God's view of justice and equality?2. How can we apply the courage of Zelophehad's daughters in our own lives when facing unjust situations? 3. In what ways does the account of Zelophehad's daughters challenge traditional views of inheritance and gender roles? 4. How does the resolution of this account in Numbers 27:1-11 and Joshua 17:3-6 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His people? 5. How can the principles seen in this account be applied to modern issues of gender equality and justice within the church and society? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 27:1-11This passage details the petition of Zelophehad's daughters to Moses, requesting the right to inherit their father's land. It highlights their courage and the subsequent change in inheritance laws. Joshua 17:3-6 This passage confirms the fulfillment of the daughters' request, as they receive their inheritance among their father's brothers, demonstrating God's justice and provision. Galatians 3:28 This New Testament verse speaks to the equality of all believers in Christ, echoing the theme of breaking traditional barriers seen in the account of Zelophehad's daughters.
People Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, ZerahitesPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, SinaiTopics Daughters, Hepher, Hoglah, Mahlah, Milcah, Names, Noah, Sons, Tirzah, ZelophehadDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 26:1-61Library The Census of IsraelThirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 The Training of a Statesman. Numbers Links Numbers 26:33 NIVNumbers 26:33 NLT Numbers 26:33 ESV Numbers 26:33 NASB Numbers 26:33 KJV Numbers 26:33 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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