271 Then 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 , came near ; and these are the names of his daughters : Mahlah , Noah and Hoglah and Milcah and Tirzah . 2 They stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and all the congregation , at the doorway of the tent of meeting , saying , 3 "Our father died in the wilderness , yet he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah ; but he died in his own sin , and he had no sons . 4 "Why should the name of our father be withdrawn from among his family because he had no son ? Give us a possession among our father's brothers ." 5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord . 6 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 7 " The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements . You shall surely give them a hereditary possession among their father's brothers , and you shall transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 "Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel , saying , 'If a man dies and has no son , then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter . 9 'If he has no daughter , then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers . 10 'If he has no brothers , then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers . 11 'If his father has no brothers , then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his own family , and he shall possess it; and it shall be a statutory ordinance to the sons of Israel , just as the Lord commanded Moses .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 27:1-11
Commentary on Numbers 27:1-11
(Read Numbers 27:1-11)
The five daughters of Zelophehad considered themselves as left destitute, having neither father nor brother to inherit any land. Their believing expectation that the word of the Lord would be performed in due season, and their desire of an interest in the promised inheritance; and the modest, candid manner in which they asked, without secret murmurs or discontents, are a good example. They ask for a possession in the land of Canaan. Herein they discovered, 1. Strong faith in the power and promise of God, concerning the giving of the land of Canaan to Israel. 2. And earnest desire of a place and name in the land of promise, which was a type of heaven. 3. Respect and honour for their father, whose name was dear to them now he was gone. He never had done any thing that might bar his children's claim. It is a comfort to parents when they come to die, if though they have smarted for their own sin, yet they are not conscious of any of those iniquities which God will visit on their children. God himself gives judgment. He takes notice of the affairs, not only of nations, but of private families, and orders them according to his will. The petition is granted. Those who seek an inheritance in the land of promise, shall have what they seek for, and other things shall be added to them.