And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
NUMBERS 27:8KJVWhat does Numbers 27:8 mean?
Numbers 27:8 sets out a rule for inheritance among the Israelites: if a man dies without a son, his inheritance should be given to his daughter. This verse establishes a clear guideline for passing on property when there is no male heir.
In this verse, God is instructing Moses to tell the Israelites how to handle inheritance when a man dies without a son. The context is a response to the case of Zelophehad’s daughters, who asked for their father’s inheritance since he had no sons. This rule marks a significant moment in Israelite law, making sure daughters are included in the line of inheritance under these circumstances.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 27:8
- "Inheritance" (נַחֲלָה, nachalah): This word refers to property or land passed down within a family. Its use here highlights the importance of keeping land within the family line, even if that means passing it to daughters.
- "Pass" (עָבַר, avar): This word means to transfer or move something from one person to another. In this context, it emphasizes the legal transfer of property rights from the deceased man to his daughter.
- "Daughter" (בַּת, bat): The specific mention of "daughter" underlines that women could inherit if there were no sons, which was a notable exception in a male-centered inheritance system.
Why Numbers 27:8 matters
- Numbers 27:8 clarifies that daughters could inherit their father's property if there were no sons, which was not the usual practice in ancient Israel and shows a degree of legal protection for women.
- This rule comes in direct response to a real situation, showing that Israelite law could adapt to new circumstances and address the needs of individuals.
- The verse sets a precedent for later inheritance laws in Israel, influencing how families and tribes managed land and property for generations.