The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

NUMBERS 27:7KJV
Know the Bible

Numbers 27:7 (KJV)

What does Numbers 27:7 mean?

Numbers 27:7 records God affirming that the daughters of Zelophehad are correct in their request, and He commands that they should receive a share of land among their father’s relatives, with their father’s inheritance passing to them. This verse establishes that these women have the right to inherit property, even though inheritance usually went to sons.

God is speaking to Moses after the daughters of Zelophehad approached him with their concern that their family would lose its inheritance because their father died without sons. God’s response here sets a precedent for inheritance laws among the Israelites, showing that justice and fairness should apply even when tradition did not make clear provision. This moment is a turning point for women’s rights to property in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 27:7

  • "right" (כֵּן, ken): This word means "correct" or "just." God is not only granting the request but declaring it to be just and proper, giving strong weight to the daughters’ claim.
  • "possession" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This term refers to a hereditary portion of land. The use of this word emphasizes that the daughters are to receive a permanent, legal share, not just a temporary or symbolic gift.
  • "pass" (עָבַר, avar): This verb means "to pass over" or "transfer." Here, it highlights the formal transfer of inheritance from father to daughters, a significant legal act in the community.

Why Numbers 27:7 matters

  • Numbers 27:7 clarifies that God’s justice is not bound by tradition; He upholds the rights of those who might otherwise be overlooked, in this case, women without brothers.
  • This verse is a key legal turning point in Israel’s laws about inheritance, showing that God’s instructions could adapt to real-life situations and ensure fairness.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing how the Israelites handled challenges and questions during their journey, and how God’s guidance shaped their community’s laws and values.

Where else these words appear

“Zelophehad” Hebrew H6765 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 26:33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
  • Numbers 36:2 And they said, The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.
  • Numbers 36:11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons:

“right” Hebrew H3651 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 42:34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

“possession” Hebrew H272 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
  • Leviticus 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
  • Joshua 22:4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.