Numbers 27, Two Questions of Succession

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

As the Israelites approach the invasion of Canaan, two questions arise.

1. Since land will be distributed by tribes and families, and inheritance passes down through the male line, what happens to families with only daughters?
2. Who will follow Moses as leader?

Numbers 27:1-4, Five daughters

The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They approached the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly, and said, "Our father died in the desert. He was not among Korah's followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives."

What happens if a man has only daughters? How, in a patriarchal society, is his name preserved?

Numbers 27:5-11, Zelophehad's daughters to inherit

So Moses brought their case before the LORD and the LORD said to him, "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and turn their father's inheritance over to them.

"Say to the Israelites, `If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter.
 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. 

This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.'"

The daughters are to inherit property among their father's relatives. This account will be expanded and completed in Numbers 36.

Numbers 27:12-14, Look upon future Israel

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes." (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

Moses is instructed to hike up a mountain in the Abarim range and gaze on the future land of Israel.

Numbers 27:15-17, Leadership succession

Moses said to the LORD, "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."

Moses asks for a successor.

Numbers 27:18-21, Joshua

So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in."

The successor to Moses will be Joshua, who proved himself forty years prior and who has presumably continue to serve well.

Numbers 27:22-23, Joshua commissioned

Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses.

Moses and Eleazar commission Joshua, laying their hands on him.

First published October 1, 2025; updated October 1, 2025