Bible Chapter Summary
Numbers 27 Summary
Zelophehad's Daughters and Joshua's Commission
The five daughters of Zelophehad petition Moses, Eleazar, and the congregation at the tabernacle entrance, arguing that their father—who died without sons—should not lose his family inheritance. God affirms their petition as just and establishes a tiered statute of inheritance covering daughters, brothers, uncles, and nearest kinsmen when a man dies without a son. The LORD then instructs Moses to ascend Mount Abarim to view the Promised Land before his death, citing his rebellion at the waters of Meribah in Kadesh as the reason he will not enter. In response, Moses intercedes for the people by asking God to appoint a new leader, and God commands him to commission Joshua son of Nun—a man with the spirit—by laying hands on him before Eleazar and the congregation, which Moses faithfully carries out.
Key themes
Key verses
Numbers 27:7
“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 27:8
“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 27:12
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.”
Numbers 27:18
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;”
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