27Numbers 27

The Daughters of Zelophehad

1Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah were the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph.Select Numbers 27:1

2They went and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole community at the entrance of the Tent of the Lord's presence and said,Select Numbers 27:2

3“Our father died in the wilderness without leaving any sons. He was not among the followers of Korah, who rebelled against the Lord; he died because of his own sin.Select Numbers 27:3

4Just because he had no sons, why should our father's name disappear from Israel? Give us property among our father's relatives.”Select Numbers 27:4

5Moses presented their case to the Lord,Select Numbers 27:5

6and the Lord said to him,Select Numbers 27:6

7“What the daughters of Zelophehad request is right; give them property among their father's relatives. Let his inheritance pass on to them.Select Numbers 27:7

8Tell the people of Israel that whenever a man dies without leaving a son, his daughter is to inherit his property.Select Numbers 27:8

9If he has no daughter, his brothers are to inherit it.Select Numbers 27:9

10If he has no brothers, his father's brothers are to inherit it.Select Numbers 27:10

11If he has no brothers or uncles, then his nearest relative is to inherit it and hold it as his own property. The people of Israel are to observe this as a legal requirement, just as I, the Lord, have commanded you.”Select Numbers 27:11

Joshua Is Chosen as Successor to Moses

12The Lord said to Moses, “Go up the Abarim Mountains and look out over the land that I am giving to the Israelites.Select Numbers 27:12

13After you have seen it, you will die, as your brother Aaron did,Select Numbers 27:13

14because both of you rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin. When the whole community complained against me at Meribah, you refused to acknowledge my holy power before them.” (Meribah is the spring at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)Select Numbers 27:14

15Moses prayed,Select Numbers 27:15

16“Lord God, source of all life, appoint, I pray, a man who can lead the peopleSelect Numbers 27:16

17and can command them in battle, so that your community will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”Select Numbers 27:17

18The Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head.Select Numbers 27:18

19Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the whole community, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor.Select Numbers 27:19

20Give him some of your own authority, so that the whole community of Israel will obey him.Select Numbers 27:20

21He will depend on Eleazar the priest, who will learn my will by using the Urim and Thummim. In this way Eleazar will direct Joshua and the whole community of Israel in all their affairs.”Select Numbers 27:21

22Moses did as the Lord had commanded him. He had Joshua stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole community.Select Numbers 27:22

23As the Lord had commanded, Moses put his hands on Joshua's head and proclaimed him as his successor.Select Numbers 27:23