And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

NUMBERS 27:11KJV
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Numbers 27:11 (KJV)

What does Numbers 27:11 mean?

Numbers 27:11 explains that if a man in Israel dies without a father or brothers, his inheritance should go to his closest relative within his family, who will then possess it. This rule is established as a permanent legal statute for the Israelites, as commanded by God to Moses.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions about how property should be passed down when a man dies without direct male heirs. This comes after the daughters of Zelophehad asked for their father’s inheritance, prompting God to clarify the laws of inheritance for all Israel. The verse sets out a clear order for who receives property and makes this process a binding legal rule for the nation.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 27:11

  • Inheritance (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word means property or possession passed down within a family. The use of נַחֲלָה (nachalah) underscores the importance of keeping land and property within the extended family line.
  • Kinsman (שֵׁאֵר, she’er): This term refers to a close relative, often understood as the nearest male family member. The verse uses שֵׁאֵר (she’er) to make sure the inheritance stays as close as possible to the original family.
  • Statute (חֻקָּה, chuqqah) and Judgment (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): These words highlight that this is not just a suggestion but a binding legal decision (חֻקָּה, chuqqah) and a rule of justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) for the whole community.

Why Numbers 27:11 matters

  • Numbers 27:11 clarifies the order of inheritance, ensuring that property remains within the extended family if there are no direct male heirs, which was a key concern in ancient Israelite society.
  • The verse shows that this rule was not just for one family but was established as a lasting legal principle for all Israelites, giving structure and fairness to inheritance questions.
  • This law comes as a direct response to a real-life situation (the daughters of Zelophehad), showing how Israel’s laws could adapt to new circumstances while still following God’s guidance.

Where else these words appear

“kinsman” Hebrew H7607 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 21:10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
  • Leviticus 21:2 But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother,
  • Proverbs 5:11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

“next” Hebrew H7138 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
  • Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

“statute” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.