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.

Where else these words appear

“Nun” Hebrew H5126 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
  • Numbers 32:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
  • Joshua 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.

“Eleazar” Hebrew H499 · used in 70 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
  • Joshua 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

“princes” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:54 On the eighth day offered Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh:
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.