Numbers 27 6

Numbers 27:6 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 27:6 nkjv

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Numbers 27:6 niv

and the LORD said to him,

Numbers 27:6 esv

And the LORD said to Moses,

Numbers 27:6 nlt

And the LORD replied to Moses,

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 6 Meaning

Numbers 27:6 records God's direct affirmation of the petition made by the daughters of Zelophehad. In response to their request for an inheritance in the Promised Land, even though their father had no sons, the Lord unequivocally declared, "The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying." This verse establishes a critical legal precedent within Israelite law, ensuring that a man's name and inheritance would not be lost if he died without male heirs, demonstrating God's justice, responsiveness to unique situations, and careful administration of His people's welfare.

Numbers 27 6 Context

Numbers chapter 27 is situated during the latter part of Israel's wilderness wanderings, immediately following the second census that enumerated those who would enter the Promised Land. The immediate context sees five sisters – Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah – the daughters of Zelophehad, approaching Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the entire congregation at the entrance of the tabernacle. Their father, Zelophehad, had died in the wilderness not as a participant in Korah's rebellion, but due to his own sin, leaving no sons. According to prevailing custom and general understanding of inheritance laws, their father's family line and his designated portion of land in Canaan would be lost. The daughters eloquently argued against this perceived injustice, advocating for the perpetuation of their father's name through their inheritance. This verse serves as the direct divine response to their petition, affirming the righteousness of their cause and signaling a modification to existing law, setting a critical precedent for future generations regarding female inheritance. This episode underscores the importance of every family's portion in the land and God's attention to the particularities of individuals' lives and situations.

Numbers 27 6 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): Refers to the personal covenant God of Israel. His utterance signifies supreme, unchanging authority and truth. This is a direct divine communication, making the pronouncement unequivocally binding and divine.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vai-yo'mer): The Hebrew verb "said" implies a direct, verbal communication. It highlights that this instruction comes from God Himself to Moses, the appointed mediator, ensuring no ambiguity regarding its source.
• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - el Mosheh): Moses serves as the chosen prophet and lawgiver through whom God communicates His will to Israel. This emphasizes the established divine channel for revelation and legislative decisions for the nation.
• The daughters of Zelophehad (בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד - b'not Tzelophchad): This specific naming signifies the recognition of the petitioners. "B'not" (daughters) highlights their female gender in a patriarchal society where male inheritance was the norm, making their request, and its affirmation, particularly noteworthy. Zelophehad's name being lost was the specific issue they sought to prevent.
• are right (כֵּן - ken): This is the pivotal word in the verse. In Hebrew, "ken" (so, thus, rightly, correctly, indeed) is a strong and emphatic affirmation. It indicates complete agreement and validation of their arguments. It means their proposal is not merely permissible but morally and justly correct in God's eyes, even establishing a new legal principle. It speaks to the absolute righteousness of their cause.
• in what they are saying (אֲשֶׁר הֵן דֹּבְרוֹת - asher hen dovrot): Literally "that which they are speaking/telling." This phrase confirms that God is directly responding to the substance of their precise, articulated petition from verses 3-4, concerning their father's lost inheritance and name. It validates the specific content of their argument.

• "The Lord said to Moses": This opening establishes the divine origin and authority of the subsequent legal ruling. It highlights that the solution to this specific legal challenge does not come from human debate or existing societal custom, but directly from God through His chosen leader, solidifying the divine authority of Israelite law.
• "The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying": This powerful declaration underscores God's commitment to justice and His responsiveness to His people's specific needs. It indicates a flexibility within divine law, not compromising its holiness but ensuring its application promotes fairness and perpetuates lineage where otherwise lost. It is a revolutionary statement for its time, affirming women's legal agency and demonstrating that justice transcends strict custom.

Numbers 27 6 Bonus section

This narrative demonstrates a fascinating instance of "case law" development within the Mosaic covenant. Instead of abstract principles, the law often evolved or was clarified through specific cases presented to God via Moses. This interactive form of jurisprudence highlights that God is not a distant, disengaged lawgiver but actively involved in the legal and social justice of His people. The divine endorsement of the daughters' petition showcases that God’s righteousness extended beyond merely enforcing existing rules; it also meant ensuring equity and preventing disinheritance, even if it meant adjusting how traditional norms were understood or applied. This moment provides a strong foundation for understanding God's care for every individual and His readiness to break precedents for the sake of true justice. It subtly reminds us that genuine justice sometimes requires innovative approaches rooted in righteousness.

Numbers 27 6 Commentary

Numbers 27:6 stands as a profound illustration of God's character as a just and attentive Judge, who listens to the cries of His people, even when their petitions challenge established norms. In a societal structure where inheritance predominantly flowed through male heirs, the daughters of Zelophehad boldly appealed for their father's name and portion not to be lost simply because he had no sons. God's immediate and unequivocal affirmation—"The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying"—reveals several key theological and practical insights.

Firstly, it showcases the dynamic nature of divine revelation and the Law. While core principles are eternal, the application and specific statutes could be expanded or clarified under divine guidance to ensure justice in unforeseen circumstances. This demonstrates that God's Law is not rigid in a way that creates injustice but is alive and adaptable to His purposes. Secondly, it elevates the status and agency of women within ancient Israelite society. The daughters are presented as articulate, reasoned, and successful legal petitioners. Their success paves the way for legal rights for women in inheritance that were not previously codified or generally understood. Lastly, the verse highlights God's concern for the perpetuation of family identity and the land allocation—integral aspects of Israel's national and tribal existence. By ensuring the daughters inherit, God maintains the integrity of tribal land portions and protects the memory and lineage of the deceased father, Zelophehad. This instance is a powerful reminder that divine justice addresses particularities and brings equitable solutions where human traditions might falter.