Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Numbers 27
Numbers 27:7The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.
In this verse, God directly affirms the daughters' plea, establishing a new law that demonstrates His commitment to justice and the preservation of family heritage.Numbers 27:16-17"Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation" who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
Facing his own death, Moses' immediate prayer is for the people's welfare, revealing his heart as a true shepherd who cares more for the flock than for himself.Numbers 27:18So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
God answers Moses' prayer by appointing Joshua, a man already filled with His Spirit, showing that God prepares and equips leaders for their appointed time.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Bold Appeal for Justice
As Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land, a recent census has outlined how the land will be divided among the tribes and families, based on male lineage. The five daughters of a man named Zelophehad realize this system will erase their family's name and inheritance because their father had no sons. In a remarkable act of courage, they bring their case before Moses, the priest, and all the leaders at the most public place in the camp - the entrance to the tent of meeting.
Passing the Mantle of Leadership
Immediately after God establishes a just law for inheritance, He turns to Moses with a personal and sobering command. Moses is to ascend a mountain to see the land he will never enter, a consequence of his disobedience at Meribah. Instead of protesting or grieving his fate, Moses' first response is to ensure the people he has led for forty years will not be left leaderless. This sets the stage for one of the most important leadership transitions in Israel's history.
Securing the Future: Inheritance and Leadership
Numbers 27 unfolds on the plains of Moab as Israel prepares for its future in the Promised Land. The chapter addresses two critical issues for the nation's stability: how property is passed down to secure a family's future, and how leadership is transferred to secure the nation's future. It begins with a specific legal case brought by five courageous women and ends with the formal commissioning of Israel's next great leader.
The Daughters' Plea (Numbers 27:1-4)
1 Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
2 They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chiefs, and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying,
3 Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons.
4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers."
Commentary:
Five sisters boldly ask Moses for the right to inherit their father's land, challenging a law that favored only male heirs.
God's Just Ruling (Numbers 27:5-11)
5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord.
6 And the Lord said to Moses:
7 The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.
8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
10 and if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers.
11 "If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses."
Commentary:
God declares the daughters' request is just and establishes a new law allowing daughters to inherit property.
Moses' Final Glimpse (Numbers 27:12-14)
12 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel.
13 And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was,
14 for when the congregation quarreled in the wilderness of Zin, you rebelled against my command to treat me as holy before their eyes at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
Commentary:
God tells Moses he will see the Promised Land from a mountain but will not enter it because of his past sin.
A Shepherd's Prayer for a Shepherd (Numbers 27:15-17)
15 Moses spoke to the Lord, saying,
16 "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation"
17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
Commentary:
Instead of despairing, Moses selflessly prays for God to appoint a successor to lead the people.
Joshua's Commissioning (Numbers 27:18-23)
18 So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
19 and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight.
20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.
21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.”
22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation,
23 And he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses.
Commentary:
God chooses Joshua as the next leader, and Moses publicly commissions him before all of Israel.
God's Justice, Provision, and Plan for the Future
The Justice of God
This chapter reveals that God's justice extends to everyone, including those who might be overlooked by cultural norms. By siding with Zelophehad's daughters, God shows He is concerned with fairness and is willing to amend laws to protect the vulnerable and ensure family lines are not erased.
Orderly Leadership Transition
God is a God of order, not chaos. The careful, public commissioning of Joshua demonstrates the importance of a planned succession. This prevents a power vacuum and ensures the people have a clear, divinely appointed leader to follow, securing the nation's future.
The Heart of a True Shepherd
Moses provides a powerful example of selfless leadership. Even when facing the personal consequence of not entering the Promised Land, his immediate concern is for the well-being of his flock. His intercession for a new leader shows that a godly leader's ultimate goal is the success and stability of the people they serve.
Applying God's Justice and Wisdom Today
Their story shows that you can approach God and authority with boldness and respect when you see an injustice. Like them, you can present your case thoughtfully, trusting that God is a God of fairness who hears those who seek what is right (Numbers 27:7). It encourages you to be an advocate for yourself and others, not with anger, but with reasoned confidence in God's character.
Moses' reaction teaches you to prioritize the well-being of the community over personal disappointment. Instead of focusing on his own loss, he immediately prayed for a successor to care for the people (Numbers 27:15-17). This challenges you to think about your legacy in terms of how you prepare others to carry on the work, ensuring the mission continues beyond your own involvement.
Joshua's commissioning demonstrates that God is always preparing the next leader for the next season. God saw the Spirit in Joshua long before this moment and had been training him under Moses for decades (Numbers 27:18). This should give you confidence that God has a plan for the future of your family, church, or community, and He is already equipping the people needed for the tasks ahead.
God Secures His People's Future
Numbers 27 reveals that God is deeply invested in the future stability and justice of His people. Through the case of five determined women, He establishes laws that protect the vulnerable and preserve family heritage. In the transition from Moses to Joshua, God shows His provision for leadership, ensuring the nation is never left without a shepherd. The message is clear: God's plan moves forward through both righteous laws and righteous leaders, securing a future for the community He loves.
What This Means for Us Today
This chapter is an invitation to trust God with the future. The daughters of Zelophehad trusted Him with their family's legacy, and Moses trusted Him with the nation's leadership. Numbers 27 invites us to bring our concerns for justice and our anxieties about the future to God, confident that He will provide a way forward.
- Where in my life do I need to boldly but respectfully ask for justice or provision?
- How can I better prepare the next generation for leadership in my family or community?
- Am I more focused on my own legacy or on the well-being of those who will come after me?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter contains the second census of Israel, which prompted the questions about land allocation and inheritance.
This chapter revisits the case of Zelophehad's daughters, adding a rule that they must marry within their own tribe to preserve the tribal inheritance.
Connections Across Scripture
This passage describes the fulfillment of God's word to Moses, where he views the Promised Land from a mountain and then dies.
This chapter shows Joshua stepping into his leadership role after Moses' death, receiving God's direct commission and encouragement to be strong and courageous.
This New Testament verse speaks of equality in Christ, a principle foreshadowed in God's just ruling that valued the daughters of Zelophehad.
Theological Themes
This verse describes God as a 'father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,' which reflects His actions in protecting the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters.
Discussion Questions
- The daughters of Zelophehad challenged a cultural and legal norm. When is it appropriate for us to question established systems in our communities or churches in the pursuit of justice?
- Moses was barred from the Promised Land for one act of disobedience, yet God still used him to appoint the next leader. What does this teach us about consequences, forgiveness, and finishing our race well?
- The public commissioning of Joshua was crucial for the nation's acceptance of his leadership. Why is public affirmation and a clear transfer of authority important in leadership transitions today?
Glossary
places
figures
Zelophehad
An Israelite from the tribe of Manasseh who died in the wilderness, leaving five daughters but no sons.
Eleazar
The son of Aaron and the High Priest of Israel during the leadership of Moses and Joshua.
Joshua, son of Nun
Moses' long-time assistant, chosen by God to be the next leader to guide Israel into the Promised Land.
Korah
An Israelite who led a major rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron, which was decisively crushed by God.