Numbers 27:8
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
Original Language Analysis
וּבֵן֙
and have no son
H1121
וּבֵן֙
and have no son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
תְּדַבֵּ֣ר
And thou shalt speak
H1696
תְּדַבֵּ֣ר
And thou shalt speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אִ֣ישׁ
If a man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
If a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 15
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָמ֗וּת
die
H4191
יָמ֗וּת
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
8 of 15
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וּבֵן֙
and have no son
H1121
וּבֵן֙
and have no son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥ם
to pass
H5674
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥ם
to pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
12 of 15
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Land inheritance in Israel carried theological significance beyond economics. God gave each tribe specific territory (Joshua 13-21) as fulfillment of Abrahamic promises. Land represented covenant blessing, and losing it meant losing tangible connection to God's promises. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) and these inheritance laws ensured land stayed within families, preventing permanent disinheritance. This preserved tribal identities until Messiah's coming.
Questions for Reflection
- How does physical inheritance in the Old Testament picture spiritual inheritance in Christ?
- What does God's concern for preserving family inheritance teach about covenant faithfulness?
- How should we view our spiritual inheritance as believers—secure or uncertain?
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Analysis & Commentary
God's command 'If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter' establishes the principle of female inheritance. The Hebrew he'evir nachalah (cause inheritance to pass) indicates legal transfer of property rights. This law ensured family land remained within bloodlines, preventing tribal territory loss. The specification moves from daughters to progressively more distant relatives (verses 9-11), ensuring no Israelite family lost its covenant inheritance in the land. This points to spiritual inheritance—believers inherit eternal life and the new creation (Romans 8:17) through covenant relationship.