Numbers Chapter 27 · Verse 11
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
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
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
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
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
Cross References
Numbers 35:29So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.Jeremiah 32:8So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
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
- How does proper application of biblical principles to new situations differ from abandoning Scripture?
- What safeguards ensure that case law remains subordinate to divine revelation?
- How should church leaders handle unprecedented situations not explicitly addressed in Scripture?
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).