Numbers 27 8

Numbers 27:8 kjv

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.

Numbers 27:8 nkjv

And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'If a man dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

Numbers 27:8 niv

"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.

Numbers 27:8 esv

And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

Numbers 27:8 nlt

"And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters.

Numbers 27 verses

Numbers 27 8 Meaning

This verse establishes a crucial divine law, decreed by God through Moses, stipulating that if a man dies without a son, his inheritance, particularly his allotted portion of the land, shall pass to his daughter. This progressive legislation directly addresses a specific scenario and ensures the continuation of the family's land and name within the community, preventing loss due to the absence of a male heir.

Numbers 27 8 Context

Numbers 27 unfolds a critical development in Israelite law, arising from a direct petition by Zelophehad's five daughters. Their father had died in the wilderness without a son, leaving his family facing the potential loss of their tribal land allotment in Canaan. These daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, boldly approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the entire congregation at the entrance of the Tabernacle, appealing for justice (Num 27:1-5). God responded directly to their plea through Moses (Num 27:6-7), issuing the immediate command articulated in Numbers 27:8. This law set a legal precedent not only for Zelophehad's family but for all future inheritance cases in Israel where there were no male heirs. This moment highlights God's justice, His responsiveness to the vulnerable, and the dynamic nature of His revelation as His people prepare to inherit the promised land.

Numbers 27 8 Word analysis

• And thou shalt speak (וְדִבַּרְתָּ, v'dibartta): This is a direct, imperative command from God to Moses, indicating the divine authority and mandatory nature of this new law. It's not a suggestion but a binding decree.
• unto the children of Israel (אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, el b'nei Yisra'el): The recipient of the command is the entire Israelite community. This signifies that the ruling for Zelophehad's daughters became a universal statute for the nation, setting a broad legal precedent.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor): A standard Hebrew introductory particle signaling the forthcoming direct quotation or instruction.
• If a man die (אִישׁ כִּי-יָמוּת, ish ki yamut): Specifies the event that triggers the application of this law—the passing of a male head of a household. "Ish" refers specifically to an adult male.
• and have no son (וּבֵן אֵין לוֹ, u-ven ein lo): This is the precise and crucial condition that activates the daughter's inheritance right. "Ben" (son) signifies a direct male heir essential for maintaining the family lineage and land ownership in a patrilineal society. The absence of a son makes this law applicable.
• then ye shall cause his inheritance (וְהַעֲבַרְתֶּם אֶת-נַחֲלָתוֹ, v'ha'avartem et nachalato): The verb ha'avartem is Hiphil (causative) and means "you shall cause to pass over" or "transfer." This indicates that the community, particularly the judicial authority (elders/judges), is mandated to ensure this transfer occurs. "Nachalato" refers to his nachalah, his inheritance, which primarily signifies the divinely allotted tribal land, highly significant for identity and covenant.
• to pass unto his daughter (עַל-בִּתּוֹ, al bitto): Direct instruction that the "daughter" (bat) becomes the legal heir. While the petition came from multiple daughters, the singular 'daughter' here implies the immediate recipient(s) of the right, usually to be distributed among all qualifying daughters, as seen in their specific case. This grants an extraordinary right in an ancient, male-dominated context.

• "And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying": This entire phrase underlines that the law originates directly from God's decree, channeled through His appointed mediator, Moses. It signifies not just a specific case ruling, but the establishment of a formal statute applicable throughout Israel. It elevates the legal decision to a divine command.
• "If a man die, and have no son": This segment clearly delineates the specific scenario for the law's application. It addresses the precise gap in existing law and tradition. It's an affirmation of God's attentiveness to circumstances that might lead to disenfranchisement within the tribal allocation of land, demonstrating His foresight and justice.
• "then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter": This is the core revolutionary command. It directly counters typical patrilineal societal norms of the ancient world. The emphasis is on nachalah (inheritance of land), which ensured a family's name and stake in the promised land, provided by God, would not be lost simply due to lack of a male heir. It empowered daughters with property rights for the continuity of family and land.

Numbers 27 8 Bonus section

• Polemical Implication: In comparison to contemporary ancient Near Eastern legal codes (e.g., Code of Hammurabi, Laws of Eshnunna), where daughters might receive some provision (often a dowry or maintenance but rarely full direct inheritance of land without convoluted stipulations like adopting a son), the Israelite law stands out for its straightforward and unreserved transfer of nachalah (land inheritance) directly to daughters in the absence of sons. This emphasizes a unique divine value on family continuity and preventing dispossession, distinct from and often more benevolent than surrounding legal systems. It subtly argues for the superiority and unique ethical framework of God's covenant with Israel.
• Theology of Succession: Beyond mere property, nachalah represents the divine allocation of land as the bedrock of Israel's national and tribal identity and existence. This law ensured that even through a female line, the sacred promise of the land continued, signifying God's overarching commitment to His covenant with all His people, male and female. This progressive revelation affirms that God provides equitable solutions to ensure His promises and design for His people's flourishing are fully realized, regardless of conventional social structures.

Numbers 27 8 Commentary

Numbers 27:8 marks a pivotal moment in the legal development of ancient Israel, reflecting God's compassionate justice and responsiveness to His people's specific needs. The general principle in the ancient Near East was male-preferential inheritance, securing lineage through sons. However, through the diligent appeal of Zelophehad's daughters, God establishes an innovative law: when a man dies without a son, his inheritance passes directly to his daughters. This demonstrates that divine law is not rigidly fixed but is dynamically revealed to address specific human dilemmas, preventing a family's land and name from perishing from their tribe. It underscores the profound spiritual significance of nachalah, the land as a perpetual covenant gift from God. This act also sets a precedent for seeking God's justice in unforeseen circumstances, illustrating His readiness to provide for all, even those traditionally overlooked, ensuring stability and fairness within the divinely ordered community. This ensures the full inclusion of every family unit in the Promised Land.