Bible Dictionaries
Zelophehad

Holman Bible Dictionary

(zih loh' fih had) Personal name meaning, “protection from terror” or the kinsman is my protector.” A Hebrew who wandered in the wilderness with Moses. He had no sons to receive his property and carry on his name, so his daughters pled with Moses to receive a share of inheritance following his death (Numbers 26:33; Numbers 27:1-4 ). Despite the inheritance customs which allowed only men to own property, God led Moses to declare the daughters eligible (Numbers 27:6-7 ). The only stipulation was that the women had to marry within their own tribe (Numbers 36:5-9 ).