Numbers 27 5

Numbers 27:5 kjv

And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.

Numbers 27:5 nkjv

So Moses brought their case before the LORD.

Numbers 27:5 niv

So Moses brought their case before the LORD,

Numbers 27:5 esv

Moses brought their case before the LORD.

Numbers 27:5 nlt

So Moses brought their case before the LORD.

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 5 Meaning

Numbers 27:5 signifies that when faced with a complex legal issue not covered by existing ordinances, Moses, acting as the divinely appointed leader and judge, humbly and faithfully brought the matter directly before the Lord for divine judgment. This highlights God's ultimate authority, His accessibility to His people, and His active role in dispensing justice and guiding their laws. It demonstrates that true wisdom and righteous decision-making in the Israelite community stemmed directly from the divine presence.

Numbers 27 5 Context

Numbers 27:5 is part of a narrative concerning the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11). Their father, Zelophehad, died without male heirs, leaving five daughters. According to prevailing custom and likely, some Mosaic laws as understood at the time, land inheritance typically passed only through sons to maintain tribal allotments and male family lines. These daughters, however, boldly presented their case, arguing that their father's name should not be lost and that they should inherit their father's property in his absence of sons. This was an unprecedented legal situation that existing laws did not explicitly cover. Moses' action in verse 5 — bringing their case before the Lord — highlights the extraordinary nature of their petition and his exemplary leadership in seeking divine, rather than merely human, adjudication for an unforeseen circumstance in the burgeoning legal system of Israel. The historical context reflects a patriarchal society where tribal land ownership was crucial for identity, livelihood, and military strength, making land inheritance a matter of utmost importance. God's response to this specific case, revealed through Moses, not only granted the daughters their inheritance but also established a new divine precedent for such situations in Israelite law, thereby demonstrating divine justice transcending rigid human custom.

Numbers 27 5 Word analysis

• Moses: Refers to Moses, the unique leader, prophet, and mediator of God's covenant with Israel. His act of seeking God's counsel underscores his humility and his recognition of a higher authority, characteristic of a true spiritual leader who does not rely solely on human wisdom, especially in groundbreaking legal matters.
• brought: From the Hebrew root qarab (קָרַב), specifically the Hifil form wayyaqreb. This implies "causing to approach," "bringing near," or "presenting." It signifies a formal and deliberate action of submitting an issue for judgment, not a casual inquiry. It suggests a structured appeal, demonstrating the weight and importance of the legal matter and due process within the Israelite legal system before the ultimate divine judge.
• their case: The Hebrew word mishpatam (מִשְׁפָּטָם), from mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), means "judgment," "justice," "legal right," "ordinance," or "custom." In this context, it refers specifically to their legal claim, their petition for justice regarding inheritance. This highlights that the matter was not just a general request, but a point of law and a challenge to customary legal interpretations.
• before the Lord: The Hebrew phrase lifnei Adonai (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה) literally translates to "before the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of the Lord." This indicates direct communion with God, specifically at the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting, where God spoke to Moses. It signifies seeking judgment from the ultimate, supreme authority, underscoring that no human court or leader could resolve this unique legal precedent without divine intervention.

Numbers 27 5 Bonus section

• This verse provides a blueprint for believers and leaders today: when human wisdom or existing principles fall short in complex moral or ethical dilemmas, the ultimate recourse should always be to seek divine guidance through prayer, scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
• The incident highlights God's sovereignty over legal precedent; human traditions or interpretations do not override divine justice.
• The fact that God directly engaged with Moses on such a specific case underscores the concept of imago Dei (image of God) and the inherent value of every individual within the community, whose rights and pleas matter to God.
• The narrative serves as a subtle polemic against rigid human legal systems that might fail to adapt to unforeseen circumstances or might unjustly marginalize certain groups based on customary law rather than divine righteousness.

Numbers 27 5 Commentary

Numbers 27:5 encapsulates a crucial aspect of Israelite spiritual leadership and divine governance. It highlights Moses' exemplary character: his humility in acknowledging the limits of his own wisdom and his absolute reliance on God for justice, especially when faced with novel legal challenges. This was not a private prayer but a public presentation of a legal "case" before the ultimate Divine Judge, setting a standard for all future difficult judicial decisions in Israel. The verse underlines God's direct involvement in the legal system of His people, portraying Him not as a distant deity but as an accessible, righteous Lawgiver who cares for justice and actively intervenes to establish equitable precepts, even for those traditionally overlooked, such as women in the matter of inheritance. This act of divine consultation reveals the dynamic and progressively revealed nature of God's law, which could expand and adapt to new situations through direct revelation, ensuring its continuing righteousness and fairness within the evolving community of Israel.