Who were the daughters of Zelophehad?

Eldest of Zelophehad's five daughters who had a possession assigned them because their father had no sons. Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1; Num. 36:11; Joshua 17:3.

A daughter of Zelophehad, grandson of Gilead. Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1; Num. 36:11; Joshua 17:3.

One of the daughters of Zelophehad. Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1; Num. 36:11; Joshua 17:3.

Daughter of Zelophehad. Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1; Num. 36:11; Joshua 17:3.

Youngest daughter of Zelophehad. Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1; Num. 36:11; Joshua 17:3.

Son of Hepher, of the tribe of Manasseh. He had died without leaving any sons, but had five daughters, who claimed an inheritance in the tribe. A law was made allowing this, but they were not to marry out of their own tribe. Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1-7; Num. 36:2-11; Joshua 17:3; 1 Chr. 7:15.

Some words concerning these latter would not be inappropriate. They are mentioned five times in the course of biblical history (Num. 26:33; Num. 27:1-11; Num. 36:3-12; Joshua 17:3-6; 1 Chron. 7:15), proof of the important place they occupy in God's thoughts. Not one of their names is forgotten; they are Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (Num. 26:33). In Numbers 27 we notice several interesting details about them. First, they recognized that their abnormal condition was the result of their father's sin. Although “he was not in the band of them that banded themselves together against Jehovah in the band of Korah,” yet he “died in the wilderness,” and “died in his own sin,” and this was the reason why “he had no sons” (v. 3). Nonetheless his five daughters desire to perpetuate their father's name; as true daughters of Israel they value their genealogy and, consequently, their inheritance. The Lord waits to set their situation in order until they express this need before Him (cf. Num. 26:33 with Num. 27:2). He answers them when they stand “before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the tent of meeting” (Num. 27:2), and when Moses “brought their cause before Jehovah” (v. 5). God says: “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right.” Wherever there is zeal to appropriate God's blessings and promises, an answer is sure. But the Lord gives them much more than they were asking. He conveys the inheritance of their father to them and adds a clause containing four articles to His law — these weak women are the occasion for this — which becomes “unto the children of Israel a statute of right.” “And unto the children of Israel shalt thou speak,” says the Lord, “saying: (1) If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. (2) And if he have no daughter, ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. (3) And if he have no brethren, ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. (4) And if his father have no brethren, ye shall give his inheritance to his kinsman that is nearest to him in his family, and he shall possess it” (vv. 8-11). Besides the precepts set down in the law, God thus gives a special revelation in response to the desire expressed by some daughters of Israel. This desire had His approbation, and it was necessary in order for them to be able to enter into the possession of their inheritance.

In Numbers 27 the daughters of Zelophehad themselves had presented their petition before God, but in chapter 36 Manasseh, the entire tribe to which they belonged, inspired by the zeal of these women, pleads for them before Moses and the princes. The high priest who could intercede for them before the tent of meeting is not found here: Manasseh itself has turned intercessor in favour of the daughters of its people. The tribe is just as zealous to see its inheritance remain complete, without impairment, as the daughters of Zelophehad had been zealous to possess it. The Lord is pleased to acknowledge how right Manasseh's desire is. He declares: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph has said well” (Num. 36:5), just as in chapter 27 He had acknowledged that the daughters of Zelophehad had spoken well. God then gives a new revelation governing marriage in relation to the inheritance, for Manasseh was jealous to prevent even the least bit of the patrimony which he had conquered from being taken away from him. Some might otherwise have appropriated a portion of it to themselves by pleading the natural rights of marriage, an institution originally hallowed by God, but such a usurpation of rights could not be according to God's thoughts. After having given the sons of Joseph opportunity to express their desire — for if man is to receive an answer from God, his faith must ever be active — the Lord grants every liberty to the institution of marriage, giving it His full approval on condition that it take place within the bounds of the tribe (vv. 6-9).

Christians, is it not likewise with us with regard to marriage? Marriage must be within the bounds of the family of God, and within the realm of faith, else disorder will rapidly be introduced into the Assembly. It will lose the portion of her heavenly inheritance or see it diminished. This inheritance should not be impaired nor can it pass into other hands. Every individual alliance with those from without is a loss for the body as a whole, which, in the measure in which this takes place, is hindered in the enjoyment of at least a part of its inheritance.

Some words concerning these latter would not be inappropriate. They are mentioned five times in the course of biblical history (Num. 26: 33; Num. 27: 1-11; Num. 36: 3-12; Joshua 17: 3-6: 1 Chron. 7: 15), proof of the important place they occupy in God's thoughts. Not one of their names is forgotten; they are Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (Num. 26: 33). In Numbers 27 we notice several interesting details about them. First, they recognized that their abnormal condition was the result of their father's sin. Although "he was not in the band of them that banded themselves together against Jehovah in the band of Korah," yet he "died in the wilderness," and "died in his own sin," and this was the reason why "he had no sons" (v. 3). Nonetheless his five daughters desire to perpetuate their father's name; as true daughters of Israel they value their genealogy and, consequently, their inheritance. The Lord waits to set their situation in order until they express this need before Him (cf. Num. 26: 33 with Num. 27: 2). He answers them when they stand "before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the tent of meeting" (Num. 27: 2), and when Moses "brought their cause before Jehovah" (v. 5). God says: "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right." Wherever there is zeal to appropriate God's blessings and promises, an answer is sure. But the Lord gives them much more than they were asking. He conveys the inheritance of their father to them and adds a clause containing four articles to His law-these weak women are the occasion for this-which becomes "unto the children of Israel a statute of right." "And unto the children of Israel shalt thou speak," says the Lord, "saying: (1) If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. (2) And if he have no daughter, ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. (3) And if he have no brethren, ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. (4) And if his father have no brethren, ye shall give his inheritance to his kinsman that is nearest to him in his family, and he shall possess it" (vv. 8-11). Besides the precepts set down in the law, God thus gives a special revelation in response to the desire expressed by some daughters of Israel. This desire had His approbation, and it was necessary in order for them to be able to enter into the possession of their inheritance.

In the next chapter (Num. 27) there is an incident of considerable interest which illustrates the tender thoughtfulness of God. "Then came 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: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he has no son?" There was no son left. This was a case which had not yet arisen; but as we see the daughters of Zelophehad counted on God, and not in vain. It is impossible for God to be like poor man, who says, "You expect more good than I am prepared to bestow." God could not make such an answer. He always gives more. Whatever may be the petition of faith, the answer of grace never fails to go beyond it. And so the daughters of Zelophehad have their place secured to them in the goodness of God, though outside the usual routine of law.

Perhaps we should not include these five young ladies: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah; names that are to endure forever. But they so remind us of Achsah, of whom I am so fond, that I could not resist at least a mention of them. They had no brothers, only girls in that family; but they also had learned to love and value the Land of Promise, and long before they reach that land, they come to Moses and plead their cause. Because we are girls, are we not to have an inheritance in that glorious land? "Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father." Moses does not know what to do, so he brings the matter before the Lord, and did the Lord ever turn away any girl or boy, daughter or son? Nay, I am sure it rejoiced His heart to find five girls who so valued the Land which in His eyes was the glory of all lands. And so we hear His judgment: "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right." (Numbers 27).

But what would happen if they married into another tribe? And so in chapter 36, a special law must be enacted, and a whole chapter of the Bible given up, for the daughters of Zelophehad.