Numbers 27 2

Numbers 27:2 kjv

And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Numbers 27:2 nkjv

And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying:

Numbers 27:2 niv

and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said,

Numbers 27:2 esv

And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying,

Numbers 27:2 nlt

These women stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal leaders, and the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 2 Meaning

Numbers 27:2 sets the scene for the formal petition of the daughters of Zelophehad. It describes their resolute stand before the highest spiritual, judicial, and community authorities of Israel: Moses, Eleazar the priest, the tribal princes, and the assembled congregation. Their action at the sacred and public door of the Tabernacle signifies a formal, public, and serious request for justice, addressing a specific legal matter concerning inheritance within the community.

Numbers 27 2 Context

Numbers chapter 27 is pivotal, detailing the land distribution to the Israelite tribes as they prepare to enter Canaan. The prior census (Numbers 26) showed that Zelophehad, from the tribe of Manasseh, had died in the wilderness without sons, only daughters. Under the existing Israelite law, inheritance typically passed through the male line. This verse marks the beginning of a crucial legal challenge presented by Zelophehad's daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Their bold and respectful appeal to the nation's supreme leadership at the most sacred and public place, the Tabernacle, is unprecedented. It highlights a potential lacuna in the current law regarding daughters inheriting their father's property, especially vital for maintaining family lines and tribal land allotments in the Promised Land. This event sets a precedent for legal adjudication that involves direct divine intervention and sets an important precedent regarding women's rights and land tenure in ancient Israel.

Numbers 27 2 Word analysis

• And they stood (וַתַּעֲמַֽדְנָה - wayyaamâdnâh`): From the root amad (to stand). This indicates a posture of formal respect and determination. It is not a casual approach but a deliberate, authoritative presentation of a matter of law. Their act of standing implies a readiness to present their case formally and to await judgment.
• before Moses (לִפְנֵ֤י מֹשֶׁה֙ - lipnê Moshêh): "Before" (liphne) means in the presence of. Moses served as the highest human authority, prophet, lawgiver, and judge of Israel, representing God's will and embodying judicial power. Any legal appeal ultimately passed through him.
• and before Eleazar the priest (וְלִפְנֵ֣י אֶלְעָזָר֩ הַכֹּהֵ֗ן - wəliphne’ ’Elāzār haKōhēn`): Eleazar was the High Priest, responsible for the spiritual well-being of the nation and consulted on matters requiring divine revelation, often through the Urim and Thummim. His presence signifies the sacred dimension of the appeal, implying it required divine input or approval.
• and before the princes (וְלִפְנֵי֙ הַנְּשִׂאִ֔ים - wəliphne hannaśśī’im): The nesi'im were the heads of the tribes or clans. Their inclusion signifies the representation of all tribal leaders, highlighting the national scope and significance of the legal challenge, as land division involved all tribes.
• and all the congregation (וְכָל־הָעֵדָ֔ה - wəkhol hā‘edāh): The edah refers to the assembled community or general assembly of Israel. This implies the public nature of their petition, giving it collective visibility and implicitly seeking public support or acknowledgment. It makes the ruling a publicly witnessed event, not a private one.
• by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation (פֶּ֥תַח אֹֽהֶל־מוֹעֵ֖ד - pethakh ’ohel-moed`): The "door" (pethach) or entrance of the Tabernacle (ohel-mo'ed - "tent of meeting"). This was the central place of worship, where God's presence dwelled, where Moses met with God, and where judicial pronouncements often occurred. Positioning themselves here underscores the solemnity and divine sanction they sought for their appeal, presenting it before God Himself. It suggests the matter was not just a legal technicality but one with profound religious and communal implications, deserving God's direct attention and judgment.
• saying (לֵאמֹֽר׃ - leʼmor): This word formally introduces the speech or declaration that follows, emphasizing that their approach was articulate, purposeful, and structured.

Numbers 27 2 Bonus section

The act of the daughters of Zelophehad appearing before such a formidable array of leadership, in such a public and holy place, signifies immense courage and spiritual fortitude. In a patriarchal society where women typically had limited public legal standing, their bold initiative demonstrates a profound understanding of their rights as part of the Israelite community and a deep faith that the Lord, through Moses, would address their concern. Their unique approach also illustrates the principle that divine law can expand or clarify to ensure justice and protect the rights of all, even when a precedent does not explicitly exist. This case is a remarkable instance of proactive legal reform in ancient Israel, initiated by women, leading to a new statute through divine revelation.

Numbers 27 2 Commentary

Numbers 27:2 highlights the structured, formal, and sacred process of seeking justice in ancient Israel. The setting — at the Tabernacle door, before a hierarchy of spiritual, judicial, and community leaders — underscores the gravity of the daughters' petition. Their courage in standing publicly, facing the full weight of established legal precedent and social custom, testifies to their conviction and faith in a just God and an equitable law. This verse acts as a solemn prelude, framing their plea not as a personal grievance but as a national concern with potential implications for future generations and land tenure in the Promised Land. It prepares the reader for a divinely inspired legal amendment, demonstrating that God's law is dynamic and compassionate, adaptable to ensure equity.