Numbers 27:2
And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֜דְנָה
And they stood
H5975
וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֜דְנָה
And they stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 14
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 14
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ם
the princes
H5387
הַנְּשִׂיאִ֖ם
the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעֵדָ֑ה
and all the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֑ה
and all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
10 of 14
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
פֶּ֥תַח
by the door
H6607
פֶּ֥תַח
by the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
11 of 14
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
אֹֽהֶל
of the tabernacle
H168
אֹֽהֶל
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
12 of 14
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Historical Context
This incident occurred after the wilderness generation's death sentence (Numbers 14) but before entering Canaan. The daughters' concern was about land inheritance in the soon-to-be-conquered territory. Their bold approach demonstrated faith that Israel would indeed possess the land despite the forty-year delay. Their question prompted permanent legislation (verses 6-11) governing female inheritance throughout Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does bringing difficult cases to divine wisdom through proper channels demonstrate faith?
- What does the daughters' boldness teach about approaching authority with legitimate concerns?
- How should churches handle unprecedented situations—by abandoning biblical principles or applying them faithfully?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The daughters of Zelophehad standing 'before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle' demonstrates public legal proceedings in Israel's theocratic system. The Hebrew amad lipnei (stand before) indicates formal court proceedings. Their case was brought to the highest authorities at the central sanctuary, ensuring divine guidance in the decision. This establishes that difficult legal cases should seek divine wisdom through authorized channels—a principle affirmed in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). God's law accommodates new circumstances without compromising justice.