Open English Translation NUM Chapter 27

27 Then the daughters of Tselofehad (son of Hefer, son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Menashsheh) approached. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirtsah. 2 They stood in front of Mosheh and the priest Eleazar and all the leaders and the people there at the entrance to the sacred tent, and asked, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness, although he wasn’t part of the group who joined Korah to rebel against Yahweh—it was for his own personal disobedience that he died. He didn’t have any sons 4 but why should his family name disappear from our clan just because he had no sons? So give us some land like our father’s relatives will be getting.”

5 So Mosheh took their case to Yahweh 6 and he responded, 7 “It’s right what Tselofehad’s daughters are saying. You must give them some land like their father’s relatives will be getting. Give them whatever would have been given to their father as his inheritance. 8 Also, tell the people that if a man dies without sons, then his inheritance should go to his daughter(s). 9 If he had no children, then it should go to his brothers, 10 and if he has no brothers, then it should go to his father’s brothers. 11 However, if his father had no brothers, then the inheritance should go to his nearest blood-relative to become his possession. That will become a permanent regulation for Yisrael, just as Yahweh has commanded.”

12 Then Yahweh told Mosheh (Moses), “Go up Mt. Avarim and look at the land that I’ve given to the Israelis,[ref] 13 and then you’ll die and join your ancestors just like your brother Aharon did. 14 That’s because back in the Tsin wilderness when the people complained about water, you two rebelled against my command and failed to respect my holiness in front of them. That was when you struck the rock at Meribah near Kadesh in the Tsin wilderness.”

15 Then Mosheh requested Yahweh, 16 “Yahweh, you are the god who directs the spirits of all humankind, so please appoint a new leader for the Israeli people 17 who will stand in front of them and lead them out and bring them in so they won’t be like sheep without a shepherd.[ref]

18 Then Yahweh told Mosheh, “Get Nun’s son Yehoshua (Joshua), a man who has my spirit in him, and place your hands on him to indicate the transfer of leadership.[ref] 19 Stand him in front of the priest Eleazar and all the assembly, and commission him as they watch. 20 Give him some of your authority so that all the Israeli people can hear it. 21 When he needs guidance, he must stand in front of the priest Eleazar and ask for Yahweh’s decision to be given via the Urim. Then Yehoshua and all the people will go in or come out as per Yahweh’s instructions.”[ref] 22 So Mosheh did what Yahweh had ordered him to, and he presented Yehoshua to the priest Eleazar and to the entire community. 23 Mosheh placed his hands on Yehoshua and commissioned him, just has Yahweh had said he should.