Numbers 26 33

Numbers 26:33 kjv

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 26:33 nkjv

Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters; and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

Numbers 26:33 niv

(Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.)

Numbers 26:33 esv

Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters. And the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

Numbers 26:33 nlt

(One of Hepher's descendants, Zelophehad, had no sons, but his daughters' names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.)

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 33 Meaning

Numbers 26:33 establishes a specific detail about the family of Zelophehad within the tribe of Manasseh during the second census: that he had no sons but only daughters. This factual statement is critically important as it introduces an exceptional circumstance within the traditional patriarchal system of land inheritance, where property primarily passed through male heirs. The verse specifically lists the five daughters by name, thereby highlighting their individual identity and significance, and setting the stage for the groundbreaking legal precedent they would establish concerning the inheritance rights of women in Israel.

Numbers 26 33 Context

Numbers chapter 26 records the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness, taken in the plains of Moab before they enter the Promised Land. The primary purpose of this census was not merely to count the fighting men (20 years and older), but also to prepare for the precise and equitable distribution of the land among the tribes and clans (Num 26:52-56). The size of each clan would determine the size of their allotted land. Within this extensive genealogical record, the mention of Zelophehad in verse 33 stands out. It interrupts the straightforward enumeration to highlight a unique situation: a family line that lacked male heirs. This detail is crucial because it foreshadows the legal challenge that will be brought forward by Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27. In ancient Israelite society, inheritance traditionally passed through the male line to keep family lands intact within tribal territories. The specific mention here establishes the factual basis for an unprecedented legal and social dilemma, demonstrating God's meticulous concern for justice in land distribution and challenging patriarchal norms when circumstances warrant it.

Numbers 26 33 Word analysis

• But (אַךְ - ʾak): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a contrast, an exception, or something that follows against the expected pattern. It signals that what follows for Zelophehad is unusual in the context of male lineage inheritance.
• Zelophehad (צְלָפְחָ֑ד - Tselophchad): A proper noun, the man whose lack of sons necessitates a divine ruling. The meaning is uncertain, possibly "first-born," or related to a word for "fear," "shame," or "shadow," but the specific case of his daughters makes his name memorable regardless of its etymology. His entire lineage is provided: "the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh." This comprehensive genealogy validates his standing and connection to the tribe, reinforcing the legitimacy of his daughters' claim within the structured Israelite society. Machir was a notable son of Manasseh (Num 32:39-40), indicating a prominent tribal family.
• had no sons, but daughters: This phrase is the pivot of the entire verse. In a patrilineal society, having no male heirs meant the family name and its allotted land risked being absorbed by another clan, potentially disenfranchising the family and violating the principle of ancestral landholding. This precise wording underlines the anomaly that requires a unique divine intervention.
• the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah: Listing the five sisters by name is significant. It imbues them with individuality and agency, distinguishing them from a mere abstract legal problem. In a cultural context where women's names were less frequently recorded in genealogies unless exceptional circumstances demanded it, their enumeration elevates their status and emphasizes their role in shaping future Israelite law.
  • Mahlah (מַחְלָה - Machlah): Possibly "sickness," "weakness," or "dancing" (same root as "Hoglah").
  • Noah (נֹעָה - No'ah): Meaning "movement" or "stirring."
  • Hoglah (חָגְלָה - Choglah): "Partridge" or "dancing."
  • Milcah (מִלְכָּה - Milkah): "Queen," "counsel," or "royal."
  • Tirzah (תִּרְצָה - Tirtzah): "Pleasure," "delight." Tirzah was also a city later associated with northern Israel, hinting at prosperity or desirability.
  • The collection of names, while individually possibly reflecting various meanings, collectively emphasizes the concrete identity of these women and their foundational role in the subsequent legal precedent.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But Zelophehad the son of Hepher...son of Manasseh,": This establishes the direct connection to a specific tribal and clan lineage. The comprehensive genealogy is crucial for establishing the daughters' claim to inheritance within the precise boundaries of the clan and tribe. It confirms they are rightful descendants within a framework of patriarchal descent, thereby making their specific situation more poignant.
• "had no sons, but daughters": This simple phrase sets the fundamental legal and social dilemma into motion. It creates a tension between the societal norm (inheritance via sons) and a particular family's reality, prompting the need for divine intervention and legal adaptation. This specific situation posed a threat to the principle of ancestral land not passing out of its family line.
• "the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.": This final phrase ensures that these women are not anonymous. By individually naming them, the narrative not only grants them respect and acknowledgment but also underscores their crucial agency as the instigators of legal reform in Numbers 27. It dignifies them, turning a societal problem into a personal narrative of five determined women.

Numbers 26 33 Bonus section

The story of Zelophehad's daughters stands as a remarkable testament to women's legal agency and initiative in the ancient Near East, particularly within the patriarchal Israelite society. Their names being preserved and their legal case becoming a central point of study in Numbers indicate a higher status or significant recognition given to them beyond mere societal norms. They proactively brought a legal dilemma to Moses, a move that showcases both their determination and faith in the just nature of God's law. This episode is also a powerful reminder of God's attentiveness to individual and family needs, ensuring that His overarching promise of land and heritage would extend fairly to all qualified members of the community, even if it required adapting established legal practices. It also foreshadows a spirit of equality that resonates in the New Covenant, where spiritual inheritance is granted regardless of gender or social status.

Numbers 26 33 Commentary

Numbers 26:33, though brief, is a foundational verse. In the meticulous accounting of Israel's tribal strength and family lineages for land distribution, this verse draws attention to a critical anomaly: a family line that was effectively 'dying out' in terms of land inheritance under existing patrilineal custom. The census's purpose was to ensure fair land distribution among families to whom God was granting an inheritance, but the default structure implicitly favored male heirs. Zelophehad's specific circumstances—having no sons—highlighted a significant vulnerability within this system.

By interrupting the census enumeration to highlight this specific detail and list the five daughters by name, the Holy Spirit emphasizes that the divine law is not rigid or arbitrary, but just and compassionate. It sets the stage for God's forthcoming, precedent-setting legal ruling in Numbers 27 and 36, which broadened inheritance rights for women. This moment demonstrates that God listens to the petitions of the vulnerable and is willing to adapt and expand His law to ensure justice, uphold promises of inheritance, and prevent disenfranchisement within His covenant community. This provision reflects God's justice over mere human tradition, affirming the sanctity of family land inheritance for all rightful heirs, irrespective of gender when unique circumstances prevail.