UST NUM Chapter 27

◄ NUM 27 ► ║ ═ ©

27 Now a man whose name was Zelophehad had five daughters. Zelophehad’s father was Hepher, his father was Gilead, his father was Machir, and his father was Manasseh. So, the daughters belonged to the tribal groups descended from Manasseh, who was Joseph’s son. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. After Moses and Eleazar listed the Israelite men, they approached Moses and Eleazar. 2 They stood at the entrance to the sacred tent in the presence of Moses, Eleazar the priest, the men who led the Israelites, and the whole Israelite community. They said, 3 “Our father was not part of the community that Korah assembled to gather together to oppose Yahweh. He died in the desolate area because of what he himself had done wrong, not because he opposed Yahweh. Now he did not have any sons. 4 So, you must assign to us the land that he would have received, just as our uncles and their descendants are receiving land. Otherwise, out of all the land that belongs to our tribal group, none of it will belong to a descendant from our father because he had no sons. That would not be right!” 5 So Moses asked Yahweh what to do about what the women had requested.

6 Yahweh told Moses, 7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters have requested is correct. You must assign to them the land that their father would have received. They must surely receive land, just as their uncles and their descendants are receiving land. 8 Also, tell this to the Israelite people: Suppose that a man dies without having any sons. If he has a daughter, she should receive the land he had. 9 If he has no daughter but has brothers, they should receive the land he had. 10 If he has no brothers but has uncles, they should receive the land he had. 11 If he has no uncles, his closest relative from his tribal group should receive the land he had. All the Israelites must follow this rule. They must do what Yahweh told Moses that they should do.”

12 Yahweh told Moses, “Climb up the nearby peak in the Abarim mountain range. From there, you can look at the land that I am giving to the Israelite people. 13 After you look at the land, you too, like your brother Aaron, will die and be with your ancestors who have already died. 14 That will happen because you and Aaron disobeyed what I said to do at the desolate area of Zin. When the Israelite community argued with you, you did not show the Israelite people how holy I am when you provided water for them.” That happened in the desolate area of Zin, at Meribah Kadesh, where the water gushed out of the rock.

15 Then Moses replied, 16 “Yahweh, you are the God who makes everything live. Please appoint someone to lead this community. 17 This person will lead them when they fight battles and will bring them home safely. Otherwise, the community that worships you, Yahweh, would be without a leader, like a flock of sheep without a shepherd.” 18 So Yahweh told Moses, “Summon Nun’s son Joshua. I have enabled him to lead well. Place your hand on him to commission him. 19 Have him stand in the presence of the priest Eleazar and the whole Israelite community. While they are watching, commission him. 20 Share some of how glorious you are with him. That way, the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 When Joshua must decide something, he must present himself to Eleazar the priest. Eleazar will use the Urim and Thummim in Yahweh’s presence to ask Yahweh where to go and what to do. Joshua and the whole Israelite community must do whatever Yahweh says.” 22 Moses did what Yahweh had ordered him to do. He summoned Joshua and had him stand in the presence of the priest Eleazar and the whole Israelite community. 23 Moses placed his hands on Joshua and commissioned him. Moses did exactly what Yahweh commanded through him.

NUM C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C26 C27 C28 C29 C30 C31 C32 C33 C34 C35 C36