Numbers 27:6-11 | The Way of Scripture

Numbers 27:6-11

What ruling does the Lord give about inheritance without a son?

Berean Standard Bible

6 and the LORD answered him, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them. 8 Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the next of kin from his clan, that he may take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites, as the LORD has commanded Moses.’”

What is the context?

The Lord affirms that the daughters speak rightly and orders that their father’s inheritance pass to them. Their petition leads to an instruction for other cases rather than a private exception with no wider effect.

The order is then stated: a daughter inherits if there is no son; without a daughter the inheritance passes to brothers, then paternal uncles, then the nearest clan relative. The law preserves a family inheritance through a defined sequence of relatives.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes relate this ruling to other laws preserving landed property within a tribe. Wesley emphasizes the justice of the daughters’ claim. The decision gives daughters an inheritance in the stated circumstance; it should be explained accurately without treating it as an identical rule for every later society’s property system.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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