Bible Commentaries
Numbers 27

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 27:1, The daughters of Zelophehad sue for an inheritance; Numbers 27:6, The law of inheritances; Numbers 27:12, Moses, being told of his death, sues for a successor; Numbers 27:18, Joshua is appointed to succeed him.

Verse 1

the daughters: In the orders for the division of the land, just given, no provision had been made for females, in case of failure of male issue. The five daughters of Zelophehad, therefore, considered themselves as destitute, having neither father nor brother, and being themselves entirely overlooked; and they agreed to refer the case to Moses and the rulers, whether it were not equitable that they should inherit their father's portion. This led to the enactment of an additional law to the civil code of Israel, which satisfactorily ascertained and amply secured the right of succession in cases of inheritance. This law, which is as reasonable as it is just, stands thus -

1. On the demise of the father, the estate descends to the sons.

2. If there be no son, the daughters succeed.

3. If there be no daughter, the brothers of the deceased inherit.

4. If there be no brethren, or paternal uncles, the estate goes to the grand uncles, or brothers of his father.

5. If there be no grand uncles, then the nearest of kin succeeds to the inheritance.

Beyond this fifth degree the law does not extend, because there must always have been some among the Israelites who could be called kinsmen.

Zelophehad: Numbers 26:33, Numbers 36:1-12, Joshua 17:3-6, 1 Chronicles 7:15, Galatians 3:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 35:29 - General Numbers 36:2 - The Lord commanded Numbers 36:11 - General Joshua 17:1 - Machir 1 Chronicles 2:21 - Machir 1 Chronicles 7:14 - Machir

Verse 2

Numbers 15:33, Numbers 15:34, Exodus 18:13, Exodus 18:14, Exodus 18:19-26, Deuteronomy 17:8-10

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:22 - great Numbers 9:6 - they came 1 Kings 3:16 - stood Ezra 7:5 - Eleazar

Verse 3

Rosenmuller translates this verse as follows: "Our father died in the wilderness, leaving no sons; nor was he among those who rebelled against the Lord with Korah, who died on account of his own sin." Professor Dathe, however, understands by "his own sin," that sin which was common to all the Israelites, who died on account of their unbelief.

died in the: Numbers 14:35, Numbers 26:64, Numbers 26:65

in the company: Numbers 16:1-3, Numbers 16:19, Numbers 16:32-35, Numbers 16:49, Numbers 26:9, Numbers 26:10

died in his: Ezekiel 18:4, John 8:21, John 8:24, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:23

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:31 - General Deuteronomy 11:6 - he did unto 1 Chronicles 2:34 - no sons Ezekiel 33:8 - that wicked Luke 7:41 - the other

Verse 4

Why: Exodus 32:11, Psalms 109:13, Proverbs 13:9

done away: Heb. diminished

Give: Joshua 17:4

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:34 - no sons

Verse 5

Numbers 15:34, Exodus 18:15-19, Exodus 25:22, Leviticus 24:12, Leviticus 24:13, Job 23:4, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:19 - bring Numbers 9:6 - they came Numbers 9:8 - I will Judges 20:18 - asked

Verse 6

Psalms 68:5, Psalms 68:6, Galatians 3:28

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:16 - make Joshua 17:4 - The Lord commanded

Verse 7

Numbers 36:1, Numbers 36:2, Psalms 68:5, Jeremiah 49:11, Galatians 3:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 36:5 - hath said well Deuteronomy 5:28 - they have well said all Joshua 17:4 - The Lord commanded Job 42:15 - gave

Verse 8

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:34 - no sons

Verse 11

kinsman: Leviticus 25:25, Leviticus 25:49, Ruth 4:3-6, Jeremiah 32:8

a statute: Numbers 35:29, 1 Samuel 30:25

Verse 12

mount: Numbers 33:47, Numbers 33:48, Deuteronomy 3:27, Deuteronomy 32:49, Deuteronomy 34:1-4

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 3:26 - the Lord Deuteronomy 32:48 - General Deuteronomy 32:52 - General Ecclesiastes 3:2 - and a time 2 Timothy 4:6 - and

Verse 13

thou also: Numbers 31:2, Genesis 25:8, Genesis 25:17

as Aaron: Numbers 20:24-28, Numbers 33:38, Deuteronomy 10:6, Deuteronomy 32:50

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:15 - And thou Deuteronomy 1:37 - General Deuteronomy 31:2 - Thou shalt not Deuteronomy 31:14 - that thou must die Deuteronomy 32:48 - General Judges 2:10 - General Psalms 106:32 - so that Ecclesiastes 3:20 - go

Verse 14

ye rebelled: Numbers 20:8-13, Deuteronomy 1:37, Deuteronomy 32:51, Deuteronomy 32:52, Psalms 106:32, Psalms 106:33

Meribah: Numbers 20:1, Numbers 20:13, Numbers 20:24, Exodus 17:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:21 - from the wilderness of Zin Numbers 20:12 - sanctify Numbers 33:36 - the wilderness of Zin Deuteronomy 31:2 - Thou shalt not Isaiah 8:13 - Sanctify 1 Peter 3:15 - sanctify

Verse 15

Reciprocal: Numbers 13:6 - Caleb

Verse 16

the Lord: Yehowah elohey haroochoth lechol basar, "Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh." This address sufficiently proves, that this holy man believed man to be compounded of flesh and spirit, and that these principles are perfectly distinct. Either the materiality of the soul is a human fable, or, if it be a true doctrine, Moses did not pray under the influence of the Divine Spirit. There is a similar form of expression in Numbers 16:22 : "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh;" and in Job 12:10, "In whose hand is the soul (nephesh) of all living; and the spirit (rooach) of all flesh of man." These seem decisive proofs, among many others, that the Old Testament teaches that there is an immortal spirit in man; for though rooach sometimes denotes breath or wind, yet it certainly has not that signification here, nor in the other passages cited.

the God: Numbers 16:22, Hebrews 12:9

set a man: Deuteronomy 31:14, 1 Samuel 12:13, 1 Kings 5:5, Jeremiah 3:15, Jeremiah 23:4, Jeremiah 23:5, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 37:24, Matthew 9:38, John 10:11, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2-4

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:7 - a living Genesis 49:24 - the shepherd Numbers 20:28 - put them Joshua 1:2 - arise 1 Samuel 18:13 - he went out 2 Kings 2:9 - Ask what Ecclesiastes 12:7 - God Isaiah 28:6 - for a spirit Jeremiah 32:27 - God Jeremiah 38:16 - that made Ezekiel 18:4 - all souls Hosea 13:1 - exalted Zechariah 4:6 - Not Acts 1:24 - Lord Acts 9:28 - coming Acts 17:25 - seeing 1 Thessalonians 2:4 - but God 2 Timothy 2:7 - and

Verse 17

go out: Deuteronomy 31:2, 1 Samuel 8:20, 1 Samuel 18:13, 2 Samuel 5:2, 1 Kings 3:7, 2 Chronicles 1:10, John 10:3, John 10:4, John 10:9

as sheep: 1 Kings 22:17, 2 Chronicles 18:16, Ezekiel 34:5, Zechariah 10:2, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 10:6, Matthew 15:24, Mark 6:34, 1 Peter 2:25

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:21 - at his word Deuteronomy 28:6 - General 1 Samuel 12:2 - walketh 1 Samuel 18:16 - he went 1 Samuel 29:6 - thy going 2 Samuel 3:25 - and to know 1 Chronicles 11:2 - that leddest Acts 1:21 - went Acts 9:28 - coming 2 Timothy 2:7 - and

Verse 18

Take thee: Numbers 11:28, Numbers 13:8, Numbers 13:16, Exodus 17:9, Deuteronomy 3:28, Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:8, Deuteronomy 31:23, Deuteronomy 34:9

a man: Numbers 11:17, Genesis 41:38, Judges 3:10, Judges 11:29, 1 Samuel 16:13, 1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Samuel 16:18, Daniel 5:14, John 3:34, Acts 6:3, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

lay: Numbers 27:23, Deuteronomy 34:9, Acts 6:6, Acts 8:15-19, Acts 13:3, Acts 19:6, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:22, Hebrews 6:2

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 1:38 - encourage him Deuteronomy 3:21 - I commanded Deuteronomy 31:3 - and Joshua 1 Kings 19:21 - ministered 1 Chronicles 7:27 - Jehoshuah 1 Chronicles 22:6 - charged him Acts 8:17 - laid

Verse 19

give him: Deuteronomy 31:7, Luke 9:1-5, Luke 10:2-11, Acts 20:28-31, Colossians 4:17, 1 Timothy 5:21, 1 Timothy 6:13-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-6

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:13 - General Numbers 27:23 - General Deuteronomy 1:16 - charged Deuteronomy 31:14 - I may give 1 Kings 2:1 - charged 1 Chronicles 22:6 - charged him Mark 8:15 - he charged Acts 6:3 - full 1 Thessalonians 2:11 - charged

Verse 20

put some: Numbers 11:17, Numbers 11:28, Numbers 11:29, 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:9, 2 Kings 2:9, 2 Kings 2:10, 2 Kings 2:15, 1 Chronicles 29:23, 1 Chronicles 29:25

may be: Joshua 1:16-18

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:2 - glory Deuteronomy 31:14 - I may give

Verse 21

he shall: Joshua 9:14, Judges 1:1, Judges 20:18, Judges 20:23, Judges 20:26-28, 1 Samuel 22:10, 1 Samuel 23:9, 1 Samuel 28:6, 1 Samuel 30:7

Urim: Exodus 28:30, Leviticus 8:8, Deuteronomy 33:8, 1 Samuel 28:6, Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65

at his word: Numbers 27:17, Joshua 9:14, 1 Samuel 22:10-15

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:2 - glory Joshua 4:10 - Moses Judges 20:27 - inquired 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 1 Samuel 14:18 - Bring hither 1 Samuel 14:36 - Then said the priest 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Samuel 30:8 - he answered him 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 16:23 - as if 2 Samuel 21:1 - of the Lord 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire Isaiah 30:2 - and have

Verse 22

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:50 - Eleazar

Verse 23

Numbers 27:19, Deuteronomy 3:28, Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:13 - General Numbers 27:18 - lay Joshua 1:7 - which Moses 1 Chronicles 22:6 - charged him Acts 13:3 - General 1 Thessalonians 5:27 - I charge