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Numbers 27:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 27:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.
Numbers 27:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
2And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting, saying,
3Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among the company of them that gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah: but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons.
4Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.
5And Moses brought their cause before Jehovah.
6And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
7The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father`s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
← Numbers 27:3Numbers 27:5 →
← Full Chapter 27 Numbers Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son etc.] Or be withdrawn, and his family lose their part and share on that account; this they thought was unreasonable: according to the Targum of Jonathan, to prevent the name of their father being lost, and his part in the land, their motion was, that their mother might marry their father’s brother, according to the law in (<052505>Deuteronomy 25:5,6), with which Jarchi agrees; but it does not appear that that law was as yet in being; though how otherwise the name of their father would be preserved, than by raising up seed in that way, is not easy to say; except, as some think, it was done by a son of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father--Those young women perceived that the males only in families had been registered in the census. Because there were none in their household, their family was omitted. So they made known their grievance to Moses, and the authorities conjoined with him in administering justice. The case was important; and as the peculiarity of daughters being the sole members of a family would be no infrequent or uncommon occurrence, the law of inheritance, under divine authority, was extended not only to meet all similar cases, but other cases also--such as when there were no children left by the proprietor, and no brothers to succeed him. A…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Give unto us - As representing our father; that so he, through us his representatives, may enjoy a like inheritance with his brethren. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Be done away - As it will be, if it be not preserved by an inheritance given to us in his name and for his sake. Hence some gather, that the first son of each of these heiresses was called by their father's name, by virtue of that law, Deu 25:6, whereby the brother's first son was to bear the name of his elder brother, whose widow he married. Give us a possession - In the land of Canaan upon the division of it, which though not yet conquered, they concluded would certainly be so, and thereby gave glory to God. Numbers 27:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Why: Exo 32:11; Psa 109:13; Pro 13:9 done away: Heb. diminished Give: Jos 17:4 Numbers 27:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification