Numbers 27:11

Authorized King James Version

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And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Original Language Analysis

וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֵ֣ין H369
אֵ֣ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 2 of 23
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
אַחִים֮ have no brethren H251
אַחִים֮ have no brethren
Strong's: H251
Word #: 3 of 23
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
לְאָבִיו֒ And if his father H1
לְאָבִיו֒ And if his father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 4 of 23
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וּנְתַתֶּ֣ם then ye shall give H5414
וּנְתַתֶּ֣ם then ye shall give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 5 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַֽחֲלָת֗וֹ his inheritance H5159
נַֽחֲלָת֗וֹ his inheritance
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 7 of 23
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
לִשְׁאֵר֞וֹ unto his kinsman H7607
לִשְׁאֵר֞וֹ unto his kinsman
Strong's: H7607
Word #: 8 of 23
flesh (as swelling out), as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood
הַקָּרֹ֥ב that is next H7138
הַקָּרֹ֥ב that is next
Strong's: H7138
Word #: 9 of 23
near (in place, kindred or time)
אֵלָ֛יו H413
אֵלָ֛יו
Strong's: H413
Word #: 10 of 23
near, with or among; often in general, to
מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ to him of his family H4940
מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ to him of his family
Strong's: H4940
Word #: 11 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
וְיָרַ֣שׁ and he shall possess H3423
וְיָרַ֣שׁ and he shall possess
Strong's: H3423
Word #: 12 of 23
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֹתָ֑הּ H853
אֹתָ֑הּ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְֽהָ֨יְתָ֜ה H1961
וְֽהָ֨יְתָ֜ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 14 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִבְנֵ֤י it and it shall be unto the children H1121
לִבְנֵ֤י it and it shall be unto the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 15 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
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 16 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְחֻקַּ֣ת a statute H2708
לְחֻקַּ֣ת a statute
Strong's: H2708
Word #: 17 of 23
a statute
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט of judgment H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט of judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 18 of 23
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 19 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוָּ֥ה commanded H6680
צִוָּ֥ה commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 20 of 23
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 21 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 22 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ Moses H4872
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 23 of 23
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

Analysis & Commentary

The conclusion 'and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses' establishes this as permanent case law. The Hebrew chukat mishpat (statute of judgment) indicates binding legal precedent. The phrase 'as the LORD commanded Moses' grounds human legislation in divine authority. This demonstrates that proper case law development flows from applying scriptural principles to specific situations under divine guidance. The church similarly develops application of biblical principles to new situations, always subordinate to Scripture's final authority (Acts 15:1-29).

Historical Context

This became foundational for Israel's inheritance law, later cited when Zelophehad's daughters married within their tribe (Numbers 36:1-12) to prevent tribal land transfer. The law functioned throughout Israel's history until the monarchy's corruption and eventually the exile. Jesus later addressed inheritance disputes (Luke 12:13-14), not by providing specific legal rulings but by exposing the greed motivating the request—showing that heart issues underlie property disputes.

Questions for Reflection

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