What does Numbers 27:1 mean?
"Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah." - Numbers 27:1
Numbers 27:1 - "Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah."
A vivid illustration, digitally rendered celebrating a significant event from Biblical history. Focusing on the five daughters of Zelophehad: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, as they come forward. Each hailing from the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. Their attire is reflective of historic Hebrew culture and each woman displays a unique feature emblematic of their respective names. The atmosphere should reflect both their courage and their conviction with strong lines, rich colors, and contrasts to depict courage and determination.
Numbers 27:1 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah." This verse marks the beginning of an important story in the Bible, concerning the daughters of Zelophehad and the issue of inheritance in Israel.
To fully understand the significance of Numbers 27:1, it is important to provide some context about the book of Numbers and the larger narrative of the Israelites in the Old Testament. The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and it is named after the several censuses that were taken of the Israelites during their desert wanderings. This book also contains various laws, regulations, and accounts of important events that shaped the nation of Israel.
In Numbers 27, the narrative focuses on the daughters of Zelophehad, a man from the tribe of Manasseh. Zelophehad had passed away without leaving any sons, which raised a significant issue regarding the inheritance of his possessions. In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, inheritance typically passed from fathers to sons, and daughters were not usually entitled to receive an inheritance. However, the daughters of Zelophehad, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, approached Moses and the leaders of the Israelite community to request their father's portion of the land, as he had no sons.
This request presented a unique challenge to the existing laws and customs regarding inheritance, and it forced the leaders of Israel to seek guidance from God. The story of the daughters of Zelophehad highlights a theme of justice and fairness, as the women advocated for their rights in a society where their concerns might have been easily dismissed. This theme of justice is often resonant throughout the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, where God's concern for the marginalized and oppressed is emphasized.
The daughters of Zelophehad represent the voice of the marginalized and the disenfranchised in society, and their story serves as a powerful example of God's concern for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their gender or social status. In response to their plea, God commended the daughters of Zelophehad for their courage and integrity, and instructed Moses to grant them their father's portion of land as their inheritance. This act of divine intervention reaffirmed the principle of fairness and justice, and it established a new precedent for inheritance laws in Israel.
Symbolically, the story of the daughters of Zelophehad represents the broader spiritual truth that God is a God of justice and equity. It underscores the principle that all individuals are equal in the eyes of God, and that he cares deeply about the rights and well-being of all people. This story also conveys a message of empowerment, particularly for women, as it demonstrates the importance of standing up for what is right and seeking justice in the face of injustice.
In conclusion, Numbers 27:1 and the subsequent story of the daughters of Zelophehad provide important insights into the themes of justice and equality in the Bible. This story challenges traditional notions of inheritance and highlights the importance of advocating for the rights of the marginalized. The divine intervention in response to the daughters' request serves as a powerful demonstration of God's concern for justice and fairness, and it reinforces the principle that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and opportunities. This story continues to be a source of inspiration and empowerment for those who seek to address issues of inequality and injustice in today's world.
Numbers 27:1 Artwork
Numbers 27:1 - "Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah."
Numbers 1:27 - "Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred."
Numbers 33:27 - "And they departed from Tahath, and pitched at Tarah."
Numbers 27:6 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Numbers 27:15 - "¶ And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,"
Numbers 27:5 - "And Moses brought their cause before the LORD."
Numbers 34:27 - "And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi."
Numbers 10:27 - "And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan."
Numbers 27:16 - "Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,"
Numbers 26:27 - "These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred."
Numbers 29:27 - "And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:"
Numbers 6:27 - "And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."
Numbers 21:27 - "Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:"
Numbers 11:27 - "And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp."
Numbers 20:27 - "And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation."
Numbers 3:27 - "¶ And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites."
Numbers 7:27 - "One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:"
Numbers 27:9 - "And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren."
Numbers 27:19 - "And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight."
Numbers 18:27 - "And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress."
Numbers 27:10 - "And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren."
1 Chronicles 1:27 - "Abram; the same is Abraham."
Numbers 27:23 - "And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses."
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Numbers 2:27 - "And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran."
Numbers 32:27 - "But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith."
Numbers 27:20 - "And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient."