Numbers 27:2
the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said,
the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,

Zelophehad’s five daughters brought their case to the public place where Israel gathered before the Lord. The setting acknowledged that the inheritance question required God’s righteous direction, not merely tribal custom.

Lev 1:3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd,…
Lev 3:2 He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering…
Lev 4:4 He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent…

stood before Moses,

Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah approached Israel’s appointed mediator with courage and order. Their appeal concerned preserving their father’s name and inheritance after his death without sons.

Exo 18:13 The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people…
Exo 18:14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing……
Exo 18:16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me…

Eleazar the priest,

Eleazar’s presence joined priestly oversight to the legal matter. Israel’s inheritance laws belonged to the covenant order established by God, and the priest was to help discern His judgment.

Num 20:25-28 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.…
Jos 14:1 Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited…
Jos 19:51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest…

the leaders,

Tribal representatives witnessed the petition because the ruling would affect the distribution of land within families and clans. The daughters did not seek a private favor but a just decision that could guide Israel as it entered Canaan.

Num 7:2 And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families,…
Num 1:16 These men were appointed from the congregation;…
Deu 1:15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected…

and the whole congregation,

The case was heard openly before the nation, ensuring that God’s judgment would be known and honored throughout Israel. Their appeal would establish an enduring provision for families lacking male heirs.

Lev 4:13 Now if the whole congregation of Israel strays…
Exo 16:2 And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel…
Exo 12:6 You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month…

and said,

The daughters respectfully presented their father’s circumstances and asked that his name not disappear from among his clan. The Lord affirmed the justice of their request and gave Moses instructions that became part of Israel’s inheritance law.

Jos 17:4 They approached Eleazar the priest and said…
Num 36:1-2 Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead…
Jos 21:1 Now the family heads of the Levites approached…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

2. Eleazar the Priest
The son of Aaron, serving as the high priest after Aaron's death, responsible for the spiritual leadership of Israel.

3. The Leaders
The heads of the tribes of Israel, who were responsible for governance and decision-making among the people.

4. The Whole Congregation
The assembly of the Israelites, representing the entire community of God's people.

5. The Tent of Meeting
The sacred place where God communicated with Moses and where important decisions and judgments were made.
Teaching Points
Approaching God with Boldness
The daughters of Zelophehad approached the leaders with confidence. Believers today are encouraged to approach God with boldness in prayer and supplication.

The Importance of Community
The presence of the whole congregation signifies the importance of community in decision-making and spiritual matters. Christians are called to engage with their faith community for support and guidance.

Leadership and Responsibility
The involvement of Moses, Eleazar, and the leaders highlights the importance of godly leadership. Christians in leadership roles should seek wisdom and guidance from God in their responsibilities.

Respect for Sacred Spaces
The Tent of Meeting was a place of divine encounter. Believers should respect and honor places of worship as spaces for encountering God.

Advocacy for Justice
The daughters' plea for their inheritance rights demonstrates the importance of advocating for justice and fairness, a principle that remains relevant for Christians today.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the boldness of the daughters of Zelophehad in approaching Moses and the leaders inspire you in your prayer life?

2. In what ways can you contribute to your faith community, similar to how the congregation was involved in the decision-making process?

3. What qualities of leadership do you see in Moses and Eleazar that you can apply to your own life or leadership roles?

4. How can you show respect and reverence for the sacred spaces in your life, such as your church or personal prayer area?

5. What are some areas in your life or community where you can advocate for justice and fairness, following the example of the daughters of Zelophehad?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 18
Jethro's advice to Moses about sharing leadership responsibilities connects to the presence of leaders in Numbers 27:2, emphasizing the importance of shared governance.

Leviticus 10
The role of Eleazar as a priest is further explained, highlighting the continuity of priestly duties from Aaron to his son.

Deuteronomy 1
The appointment of leaders among the tribes is detailed, providing context for the leadership structure seen in Numbers 27:2.

Hebrews 4
The concept of approaching God with confidence, as the daughters of Zelophehad did, is echoed in the New Testament, encouraging believers to seek God's guidance.
A Rightful ClaimC. H. Mackintosh.Numbers 27:1-11
The Daughters of ZelophehadJ. Parker, D. D.Numbers 27:1-11
The Disabilities of SexD. Young Numbers 27:1-11
The Request of the Daughters of ZelophehadW. Jones.Numbers 27:1-11
Woman is the Conscience of the WorldR. S. Storrs, D. D.Numbers 27:1-11
Women's Rights -- a ParableSpurgeon, Charles HaddonNumbers 27:1-11
People
Aaron, Eleazar, Hepher, Hoglah, Israelites, Joseph, Joshua, Korah, Machir, Mahlah, Manasseh, Milcah, Moses, Noah, Nun, Tirzah, Zelophehad
Places
Abarim, Jericho, Kadesh-barnea, Meribah, Zin
Topics
Assembly, Chiefs, Company, Congregation, Door, Doorway, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Entrance, Leaders, Meeting, Opening, Priest, Princes, Saying, Stand, Stood, Tabernacle, Tent
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 27:1-4

     5043   names, significance

Numbers 27:1-5

     5730   orphans

Numbers 27:1-7

     5707   male and female

Numbers 27:1-11

     5657   birthright
     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The First Blast of the Trumpet
The English Scholar's Library etc. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. The English Scholar's Library of Old and Modern Works. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. Edited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc., LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE, ETC., UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N. 15 August 1878. No. 2. (All rights reserved.) CONTENTS. Bibliography vii-viii Introduction
John Knox—The First Blast of the Trumpet

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought.
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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