Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the property rights of daughters are addressed within the framework of ancient Israelite society, which was predominantly patriarchal. The inheritance laws and property rights for daughters are primarily discussed in the Old Testament, particularly in the Pentateuch.Inheritance Rights The primary biblical passage concerning the inheritance rights of daughters is found in the Book of Numbers. The case of the daughters of Zelophehad is a significant narrative that addresses the issue of inheritance for daughters in the absence of male heirs. Zelophehad, a member of the tribe of Manasseh, died without leaving any sons. His daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—approached Moses and the leaders of Israel to claim their father's inheritance. Their plea is recorded in Numbers 27:4-7 : “Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s brothers.” So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to 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.” This passage establishes a precedent for daughters to inherit property in the absence of sons, ensuring that the family name and property remain within the clan. It reflects a divine directive that acknowledges the rights of daughters to inherit, albeit under specific circumstances. Marriage and Property The inheritance rights of daughters were also influenced by marriage customs. In Numbers 36, further instructions are given to ensure that property remains within the tribe. The leaders of the tribe of Manasseh raised concerns that if the daughters of Zelophehad married outside their tribe, their inheritance would transfer to another tribe. In response, the LORD commanded through Moses that daughters who inherit must marry within their father’s tribal clan. Numbers 36:6-9 states: “This is what the LORD commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, as long as they marry within the clan of their father’s tribe. No inheritance in Israel is to pass from tribe to tribe, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits.” This regulation was intended to preserve tribal boundaries and ensure that land inheritance remained within the original tribe, thereby maintaining the integrity of the tribal allotments established by God. Dowry and Bride Price In addition to inheritance rights, daughters were often involved in property transactions through the customs of dowry and bride price. The dowry, a portion of the family’s wealth given to the daughter at marriage, served as a form of financial security for her. The bride price, on the other hand, was a payment made by the groom or his family to the bride’s family, reflecting the value placed on the daughter and the union. While these customs are not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, they are inferred from various narratives and legal codes. For example, the account of Jacob and Laban in Genesis 29 illustrates the concept of bride price, as Jacob worked for Laban for fourteen years to marry his daughters Leah and Rachel. Conclusion The biblical treatment of daughters' property rights reflects the cultural and societal norms of ancient Israel, where inheritance and property were closely tied to family lineage and tribal affiliation. The case of the daughters of Zelophehad stands as a notable example of the accommodation of daughters' rights within the legal framework of Israel, ensuring that family inheritance could be preserved even in the absence of male heirs. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 27:1-11Then came 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. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 36:1 Joshua 17:3-6 Ruth 4:3 Library The Old Testament and Comparative Religion The Age, Birth, and Life of Moses. The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... The Dutch Calvinist Colony on the Hudson and the Swedish Lutheran ... Injustice Shown Towards the Christians. Chaldaean Civilization The Mother of Xerxes. Joseph, the Prime Minister The Wicked Heart Set to do Evil. Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel Resources What should Christian parents do if they have a prodigal son (or daughter)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of talitha cumi? | GotQuestions.org How does radiometric dating fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.org Daughter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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