And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

JOSHUA 17:4KJV
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Joshua 17:4 (KJV)

What does Joshua 17:4 mean?

Joshua 17:4 describes how a group of people approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of Israel to claim the land inheritance that the LORD had commanded Moses to give them among their relatives. Because of the LORD’s command, they received an inheritance among their father’s brothers.

In this verse, the daughters of Zelophehad are coming before the religious and civil leaders to remind them of God’s earlier command, given through Moses, that they should receive a share of land even though their father had no sons. The leaders honor this request, following God’s instruction, and give them land among their uncles, showing both faithfulness to God’s word and the importance of justice in Israel’s inheritance laws.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 17:4

  • "before" (פָּנִים, pānîm): This word appears several times, highlighting that the daughters are presenting their case openly and directly in front of the highest authorities, not in secret or behind closed doors.
  • "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, naḥălāh): This term refers to a permanent possession of land, which in Israelite society was deeply tied to family identity and future security. Its use here underscores the significance of the request and the outcome.
  • "commandment" (פֶּה, peh): Literally meaning "mouth," this word is used for "commandment" here, emphasizing that the instruction came directly from what God had spoken, not just a written rule.

Why Joshua 17:4 matters

  • Joshua 17:4 clarifies that God’s commands about inheritance were to be followed even when they broke with tradition, such as giving land to daughters when there were no sons.
  • The verse highlights the role of leaders in carrying out God’s justice and the importance of appealing to God’s word as the final authority in community decisions.
  • This moment connects back to Numbers 27, showing the continuity of God’s promises and the careful fulfillment of His instructions as Israel settled the land.