Daughters of Zelophehad

Biblical Account

Zelophehad was a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. His genealogy runs Manasseh–Machir–Gilead–Hepher–Zelophehad. He had no sons, only five daughters (Numbers 26:33; 1 Chronicles 7:15).

As the forty years in the wilderness were drawing to a close, the five daughters came to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation (the tent where God met with His people) and presented a petition before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation (Numbers 27:1-11). They stated that their father had not been part of the company of Korah but "died in his own sin" in the wilderness. Arguing that their father's name should not be removed from his family simply because he had no son, they asked for an inheritance (a share of the land to be allotted) among their father's brothers. When Moses brought their case before the LORD, the answer came: "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right" (Numbers 27:7). A general ordinance followed: the inheritance of a man who died without a son was to pass to his daughter; if he had no daughter, to his brothers; and after them, to his father's brothers and then to his nearest kinsman.

In Numbers 36 the leaders of the family of Gilead raised a concern: if the daughters married men from other tribes, their land would pass to those tribes. Moses acknowledged that their objection was also right and ruled that the daughters should marry within the families of their father's tribe. In obedience to this command, the five daughters married the sons of their father's brothers (Numbers 36:10-12). When the land of Canaan was distributed, they came before Eleazar and Joshua and received the inheritance they had been promised (Joshua 17:3-6).

Significance Within Scripture

Within the book of Numbers, this narrative illustrates how, when a case arose that the existing law did not address, God was consulted and a new ordinance was established. It also reveals the principle that land was to remain within each tribe and family. Numbers 36:4 mentions the issue in connection with the Jubilee. The daughters of Zelophehad are not mentioned directly in the New Testament.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• The order of the five daughters' names varies between passages. Numbers 27:1 lists Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, while Numbers 36:11 lists Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah.
• Jewish tradition is said to regard them as wise women with a sound understanding of the Law.
• Interpreters differ in how they read this passage. Some emphasize it as a text that recognizes the rights of women. Others hold that its central concern is the preservation of the family name and of the land of the tribe, as shown by the marriage restriction in Numbers 36.
• Details such as the daughters' ages, personalities, and later lives do not appear in the text. These should be distinguished from descriptions added in sermons or retellings.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, the daughters of Zelophehad are often presented in sermons and Bible studies as an example of seeking God's promises in faith. They are also sometimes cited in writings and lectures on the role of women. Because the account deals with inheritance among kin and the preservation of family property, it is sometimes discussed alongside the story of Ruth and the institution of the kinsman-redeemer.