Numbers 27

1 One day the five daughters of Zelophehad came [to Moses/me]. They were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

The daughters of Zelophehad came to present their case. Their father Zelophehad was the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, and was from the tribe of Manasseh, son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They came

2 They came to the entrance of the Sacred Tent and stood in front of Eleazar, Moses/me, the tribal leaders, and many [EUP] other Israeli people.

and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the Israelites at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. They said,

3 They said, “Our father died [during the time that we were] in the desert, and he did not have any sons. But he was not among those who supported Korah, who rebelled against Yahweh. He died just because he was a sinner [like everyone else].

“Our father died in the desert, but he wasn't one of Korah's followers who joined together to rebel against the Lord. No, he died from his own sins, and he didn't have any sons.

4 (Why should the name of his clan disappear [with the result that we do not receive any land] only because our father had no sons?/It is not right that the name of his clan disappear [with the result that we do not receive any land] only because our father had no sons.) [RHQ] So give us some land like our relatives will be getting!”

Why should our family name be lost simply because he didn't have a son? Give us land to own alongside our uncles.”

5 So Moses/I asked Yahweh [what to do about] their request.

Moses took their case before the Lord.

6 And Yahweh replied,

The Lord gave him this answer,

7 “What the daughters of Zelophehad are requesting is right. You must give them some land, just as you are giving to their father’s relatives. Give to each of them some of the land that would have been given to their brothers [if they had any].

“What the daughters of Zelophehad are saying is right. You really must give them land to own alongside their uncles—give to them what would have been allocated to their father.

8 “Also tell this to the Israeli people: ‘If a man who has no sons dies, give the things that his sons would have inherited to his daughters.

In addition, tell the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and doesn't have a no son, give his property to his daughter.

9 If the man has no sons or daughters, give to his brothers the things that his sons and daughters would have inherited.

If he doesn't have a daughter, give his property to his brothers.

10 If the man had no brothers, give to his father’s brothers the things that his sons or daughters or brothers would have inherited.

If he doesn't have brothers, give his property to his father's brothers.

11 If the man’s father has no brothers, give to his closest relative the things that the others would have inherited.’ That will be a rule for the Israeli people, because I am giving this as a command to you, Moses, [to tell them].”

If his father doesn't have brothers, give his property his family's next of kin so that they can own it. This is a legal regulation for the Israelites, given as an order by the Lord to Moses.’”

12 One day, Yahweh said to Moses/me, “Climb to the top of the Abarim Mountains [east of the Jordan River]. Then look out over the land that I am giving to the Israeli people.

The Lord told Moses, “Go up into the Abarim mountains so you can see the land that I have given the Israelites.

13 After you have seen it, you will die [EUP] just like your [older] brother Aaron did.

After you have seen it, you will also join your forefathers in death, just as your brother Aaron did,

14 The reason [that you will die and not enter that land] is that you both disobeyed my instructions/commands in the Zin Desert. When the Israeli people rebelled against me there at Meribah, near Kadesh, [I told you to speak to the rock to cause] water to flow out of it. [But because you struck the rock instead of speaking to it], you did not show the people my holy power.”

because when the Israelites complained in the Desert of Zin, you both rebelled against my instructions to show my holiness before them in regard to providing water.” (These were the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

15 Then Moses/I said this to Yahweh:

Then Moses pleaded with the Lord,

16 “Yahweh, you are the God who directs the spirits of all people. So please appoint a new leader for the Israeli people.

“May the Lord, the God who gives life to all living beings, choose a man to lead the Israelites

17 Appoint someone who will lead your people when they go to fight a battle, so that they will not [just wander around] like sheep that do not have a shepherd.” [SIM]

who will tell them what to do and show them where to go, so that the people of the Lord won't be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18 Yahweh replied, “Get Joshua, the son of Nun, who has my Spirit within him. Lay your hands on him [to appoint him].

The Lord told Moses, “Call for Joshua, son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him, and place your hands on him.

19 Cause him to stand in front of Eleazar the priest, as all the people are watching, and commission/appoint him to be the new leader of the Israeli people.

Make him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and all the Israelites, and dedicate him while they watch.

20 Give to him some of the authority that you now have, in order that all the Israeli people will [know that they must] obey him.

Hand over some of your authority to him so that all the Israelites will obey him.

21 When you all need me to guide you, Joshua will stand in front of Eleazar. Then by (casting lots/throwing marked stones on the ground) Eleazar will find out what they should do.”

When he needs instructions he is to go before Eleazar the priest who will ask the Lord on his behalf and find out the decision using the Urim. Joshua will give orders to all the Israelites concerning everything they are to do.”

22 So Moses/I did what Yahweh commanded. He/I presented Joshua to Eleazar and to all the Israeli people.

Moses followed the Lord's instructions. He had Joshua come and stand in front of Eleazar the priest and all the Israelites.

23 Moses/I laid his/my hands on him and commissioned/appointed him to do the work that Yahweh told Moses/me to tell him to do.

Moses placed his hands on Joshua and dedicated him, just as the Lord had told him to do.