The daughters of Zelophehad are found not once, but five times in the Bible. It’s a curious thing that their story isn’t more well-known because these five women were responsible for changing the Old Testament law.
The first time we hear about the daughters of Zelophehad is in the Book of Numbers. This is when Moses and Eleazar performed a census following a plague that killed twenty-four thousand people.
God directed them to count all the males 20 years of age and older. We find the daughters listed within the clan of Manasseh,
The descendants of Manasseh: through Makir, the Makirite clan (Makir was the father of Gilead); through Gilead, the Gileadite clan. These were the descendants of Gilead: through Iezer, the Iezerite clan; through Helek, the Helekite clan; through Asriel, the Asrielite clan; through Shechem, the Shechemite clan; through Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; through Hepher, the Hepherite clan. (Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.) These were the clans of Manasseh; those numbered were 52,700 (Numbers 26:29-34).
Take note that the verse doesn’t simply say “daughters of Zelophehad,” but records each of them by name.
These women lived during a time when sons inherited everything, and women were treated as property.
As Israel was preparing to enter the promised land, Moses had been instructed by God on how to divvy up the land. According to the law, only men would be given property, meaning the daughters of Zelophehad would receive nothing and be left destitute.
However, they didn’t sit idly by, allowing the status quo to determine their destiny. Neither did they grumble and complain, which was the behavior that caused the prior generation to perish.
Instead, these five women armed themselves with courage, humility, and faith in the character of God who is good to all, “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made (Psalm 145:9).
Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers” (Numbers 27: 1-4).
The five women stood together in solidarity presenting their case before those who had the power to change things. According to The Schechter Institute, the women didn’t choose a single spokesperson, but each of them presented a part of the argument. As they stood up for themselves, they were standing up for the rights of women.
The five daughters had a unique situation, a compelling argument, and presented it honorably. Moses realized that he didn’t have the answer and sought the Lord.
Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord said to Moses, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them (Numbers 27:5-7).
Their faith in God was met with honor. 1 Samuel 2:30 says “…those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”
The daughters of Zelophehad not only received what they requested for themselves, but the law was changed permanently for all. The Lord went on to instruct Moses in Numbers 27: 8-11,
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. And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”
These women not only caused a law to be changed for generations to come but modeled how to pursue change. They didn’t victimize themselves with despair and attempt to manipulate the situation. No, the daughters of Zelophehad were women of courage, faith, and honorable action who received justice for their faith.
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Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. She’s written Emerging With Wings, A Bird Named Payn, Love’s Manifesto, Because You Matter, and hosts the Victorious Souls Podcast. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. For more information or to connect with Danielle https://www.daniellebernock.com/