Joshua 17:3 kjv
But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Joshua 17:3 nkjv
But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Joshua 17:3 niv
Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.
Joshua 17:3 esv
Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Joshua 17:3 nlt
However, Zelophehad, a descendant of Hepher son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, had no sons. He had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Joshua 17 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 26:33 | Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters; and the names of the daughters... Mahlah... | First mention of Zelophehad's unique family situation during the census. |
| Num 27:1-11 | Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad... stood before Moses... saying, 'Our father died... give us... | Crucial narrative: Daughters' plea for inheritance and God's affirmative ruling. |
| Num 36:1-12 | And the heads of the fathers' houses... spoke before Moses... saying, 'If they are married... taken away...' | Further ruling: Marriage conditions for the daughters to preserve tribal land. |
| Josh 17:4 | And they came near before Eleazar... and before Joshua... saying, 'The LORD commanded Moses to give us...' | Fulfillment: The daughters' inheritance is granted according to divine command. |
| Deut 21:15 | "If a man has two wives... when he wills his property to his sons..." | Conventional law: Highlights male heir importance for inheritance. |
| Gen 48:5 | "And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine..." | Patriarchical lineage: Male line crucial for tribal identity and blessing. |
| Ruth 4:10 | "And all the people who were at the gate... 'The LORD make the woman who is coming... like Rachel and Leah'" | Lineage and land continuity through a woman, Ruth. |
| Ex 22:22 | "You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child." | God's concern: Protection for the vulnerable, including fatherless. |
| Deut 10:18 | "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow..." | God as upholder of justice for the marginalized. |
| Ps 146:9 | "The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless..." | Divine care: God's steadfast protection for the disadvantaged. |
| Prov 17:6 | "Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers." | Societal value: Emphasizes male lineage for family pride and continuation. |
| Job 42:15 | "And in all the land there were found no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them.." | Rare instance of daughters receiving inheritance directly. |
| Lev 25:23 | "The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me." | Land's sacredness: Underscores the divine ownership and tribal land allocations. |
| Isa 1:17 | "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless..." | Prophetic call: Emphasis on active pursuit of justice for those without male heirs. |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female..." | NT principle: Spiritual equality transcends societal gender norms. |
| 1 Pet 3:7 | "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman... as co-heirs." | NT application: Mutual respect and spiritual co-inheritance for all believers. |
| Eph 1:11 | "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose..." | Spiritual inheritance: Believers receive a spiritual inheritance in Christ. |
| Heb 11:8 | "By faith Abraham obeyed... to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance..." | Abraham's inheritance: Land as a central part of God's promise. |
| Col 3:24 | "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." | Reward: Spiritual inheritance given by the Lord as a reward for faithful service. |
| Num 35:29 | "These things shall be a statute and rule for you throughout your generations..." | God's statutes: His laws establish justice for all generations. |
| Zech 7:9 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another..." | True judgment: God commands justice and mercy. |
| Ps 16:6 | "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." | Blessed inheritance: The value and desirability of one's allocated portion. |
| Gen 15:7 | "I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to inherit." | Promise of land: God's commitment to provide an inheritance. |
Joshua 17 verses
Joshua 17 3 Meaning
Joshua 17:3 explicitly introduces Zelophehad, a descendant of Manasseh, detailing his lineage and stating a crucial demographic fact: he had no sons, only daughters. The verse then names these five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. This seemingly simple statement lays the foundational problem that triggers a significant legal precedent in the distribution of the Promised Land.
Joshua 17 3 Context
Joshua 17 describes the land allocation for the tribe of Manasseh, particularly the portion given to them alongside Ephraim. This chapter deals with the practical realities of distributing the Promised Land among the various clans according to their census numbers (as decreed in Num 26) and specific geographical features. Joshua 17:3 serves as a critical exposition, setting up a unique exception to the traditional male-centric inheritance laws. It introduces Zelophehad's daughters, whose lack of male siblings posed a dilemma to the standard land distribution protocols, prompting them to appeal for their rightful inheritance in order for their family and clan to receive a portion of God's promised land. This verse highlights the tension between established custom and divine justice as land possession was intrinsically linked to tribal identity and God's covenant promises.
Joshua 17 3 Word analysis
Zelophehad (צְלָפְחָד, Tselophkhad): A Manassehite, meaning potentially "first-born fracture" or "shadow of fear." This name subtly hints at a disruption in the expected lineage or a problem, here manifested as the lack of sons to carry on the family name and inheritance.
the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh: This detailed genealogy roots Zelophehad firmly within his tribal and clan structure. It establishes his legitimate claim as part of the Manassehite tribe, making his daughters' later appeal all the more potent—they are not outsiders but rightful members seeking their share.
had no sons, but daughters (בָּנִים אֵין לוֹ כִּי אִם־בָּנוֹת לוֹ – banim ein lo ki im banot lo): This is the central phrase. "Had no sons" specifies the problem in a patriarchal society where male heirs were essential for transmitting family name, legacy, and particularly land inheritance. "But daughters" points to the existence of rightful descendants, challenging the narrow scope of the traditional inheritance law and paving the way for divine intervention and legal reform.
Mahlah (מַחְלָה, Machlah): Possibly "sickness" or "weakness," or "flute/dance."
Noah (נֹעָה, Noah): "movement" or "trembling."
Hoglah (חָגְלָה, Choglah): "partridge" or "festive dance."
Milcah (מִלְכָּה, Milkah): "queen."
Tirzah (תִּרְצָה, Tirtsah): "pleasant" or "pleasing." The specific naming of each daughter emphasizes their individual identity and importance within God's sight, affirming their personhood and inherent right to an inheritance, challenging the societal tendency to overlook female claims. The mention of five distinct individuals, rather than an undifferentiated group, highlights their agency and God's particular attention to their case.
Words-group: "But Zelophehad the son of Hepher... had no sons, but daughters": This entire phrase serves to frame the impending legal dilemma. It precisely identifies the subject, establishes their familial position within the clan of Manasseh, and then presents the specific condition—the absence of male heirs and the presence of female heirs—that will necessitate an unprecedented divine decree concerning land inheritance in Israel.
Joshua 17 3 Bonus section
- The case of Zelophehad's daughters established a crucial precedent (recorded in Num 27 and implemented in Josh 17) for situations where no male heirs were available. This legal innovation demonstrates God's commitment to ensure the equitable distribution of the promised land, a core element of the Mosaic covenant, regardless of existing social norms regarding gender and inheritance.
- This account challenges rigid patriarchal interpretations by showcasing how divine law could adapt and expand to address specific circumstances and ensure justice, preventing disinheritance and preserving family names within tribal allotments. It reflects God's desire for all His people to partake in His blessings.
- The persistence and collective voice of the five daughters highlights a powerful example of faithful petitioning and advocacy for justice, which ultimately brought about a divinely sanctioned change in the legal landscape of Israel.
Joshua 17 3 Commentary
Joshua 17:3 is a concise yet pivotal verse. It sets the stage for one of the most significant legal reforms in the Pentateuch regarding women's rights to inheritance and land. In ancient Israelite society, land inheritance was paramount as it signified covenantal blessings, identity, and tribal continuity, typically passing solely through male lines. By explicitly stating that Zelophehad had no sons but five named daughters, this verse immediately flags a deviation from the norm. It anticipates the daughters' bold plea (Num 27) and God's gracious response, which overturned traditional male-only inheritance for this specific scenario. The naming of each daughter underscores their individual significance and agency. This verse is thus not just a genealogical detail but a foundational element illustrating God's responsiveness to pleas for justice and His progressive revelation, ensuring that no one, even daughters in a male-dominated society, would be excluded from their portion of the Promised Land based on gender.