Numbers Chapter 27 · Verse 1
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּקְרַ֜בְנָה
Then came
H7126
וַתִּקְרַ֜בְנָה
Then came
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 23
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
בְּנֹתָ֔יו
of his daughters
H1323
בְּנֹתָ֔יו
of his daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
2 of 23
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
גִּלְעָד֙
of Gilead
H1568
גִּלְעָד֙
of Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
7 of 23
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
11 of 23
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
of the families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֖ת
of the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
12 of 23
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
of Manasseh
H4519
מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה
of Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
13 of 23
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שְׁמ֣וֹת
and these are the names
H8034
שְׁמ֣וֹת
and these are the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
17 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בְּנֹתָ֔יו
of his daughters
H1323
בְּנֹתָ֔יו
of his daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
18 of 23
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Numbers 26:33And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.1 Chronicles 7:15And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
Historical Context
Mount Abarim (likely Mount Nebo, Deuteronomy 32:49) stood east of the Jordan opposite Jericho. From there, Moses could survey Canaan from Dan to the Negev. The location's significance continued—it was from Moabite territory (where Israel then camped) that they would launch the conquest. Moses' death location became a testimony that even the greatest leaders are merely servants; God accomplishes His purposes through successive generations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God show mercy even within the consequences of sin?
- What does Moses seeing but not entering Canaan teach about partial earthly fulfillment pointing to complete heavenly fulfillment?
- How should we respond when consequences of past failures prevent complete earthly success?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD speaking to Moses 'Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel' is both mercy and judgment. The Hebrew re'eh (see) allowed Moses visual fulfillment of the promise, though he could not enter. This demonstrates that sin's consequences remain even for forgiven leaders—Moses' striking the rock (Numbers 20:11) disqualified him from entering Canaan. However, God's grace permitted him to see it, and later to enter the ultimate Promised Land (Jesus spoke with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:3). Partial earthly fulfillment pointed to complete heavenly fulfillment.