Numbers 27:3
Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.
Original Language Analysis
אָבִינוּ֮
Our father
H1
אָבִינוּ֮
Our father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
1 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מֵ֔ת
but died
H4191
מֵ֔ת
but died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 20
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בַּמִּדְבָּר֒
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּר֒
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
3 of 20
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְה֨וּא
H1931
וְה֨וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָ֜ה
H1961
הָיָ֜ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּת֣וֹךְ
and he was not in
H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ
and he was not in
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
7 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
בַּֽעֲדַת
in the company
H5712
בַּֽעֲדַת
in the company
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
8 of 20
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
הַנּֽוֹעָדִ֛ים
of them that gathered themselves together
H3259
הַנּֽוֹעָדִ֛ים
of them that gathered themselves together
Strong's:
H3259
Word #:
9 of 20
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֖ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בַּֽעֲדַת
in the company
H5712
בַּֽעֲדַת
in the company
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
12 of 20
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
קֹ֑רַח
of Korah
H7141
קֹ֑רַח
of Korah
Strong's:
H7141
Word #:
13 of 20
korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵ֔ת
but died
H4191
מֵ֔ת
but died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
16 of 20
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וּבָנִ֖ים
and had no sons
H1121
וּבָנִ֖ים
and had no sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Ezekiel 18:4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.Numbers 14:35I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.
Historical Context
Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16) resulted in immediate, spectacular judgment—the earth swallowed the rebels and fire consumed their 250 followers. This divine wrath marked their sin as uniquely heinous—challenging God's appointed priesthood. The wilderness generation's death sentence, while still judgment, came through natural death over forty years. The daughters distinguished their father from the worse category, arguing he deserved inheritance despite dying under general judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Scripture distinguish between degrees of sin and judgment?
- What does it mean that all die for sin, but some face special judgment?
- How should we evaluate people who die under general judgment versus specific divine wrath?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The daughters' testimony about their father—'Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah'—establishes his righteous character. They distinguished their father from Korah's rebels (Numbers 16) who died under divine judgment. The phrase 'but died in his own sin' acknowledges that Zelophehad died under the wilderness generation's judgment for unbelief at Kadesh (Numbers 14:29-35), but had not committed the aggravated rebellion of Korah. This nuanced distinction shows that degrees of sin exist, though all sin brings death. Some die in general judgment; others in special judgment for particular wickedness.