Zelophehad
“Uncertain; possibly first-born or shadow from fear”
Summary
A man of Manasseh who died without male heirs, whose daughters' petition established an important legal precedent for inheritance rights in Israel.
☩Background
Zelophehad was a son of Hepher, of the tribe of Manasseh through Gilead and Machir. He came out of Egypt with Moses and died in the wilderness as did the entire generation from the exodus. Importantly, he took no part in Korah's rebellion—his death was among the general mortality decreed for that faithless generation, not as punishment for any particular sin.
☩The Daughters' Petition
Since Zelophehad had no sons, his five daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—came before Moses, Eleazar, and the congregation just after the second census in the wilderness. They petitioned that their father's name not disappear from his family simply because he had no son, and requested his inheritance in the land of Canaan. Their case was brought before the Lord, who ruled in their favor.
☩Legal Precedent Established
Through this case, God established a general law: if a man dies without sons, his inheritance passes to his daughters. This was then expanded to cover additional scenarios—passing to brothers, uncles, or nearest kinsman if there were no daughters. A further ruling required such heiresses to marry within their own tribe to prevent tribal inheritances from being transferred, which the five daughters dutifully obeyed by marrying sons of Manasseh.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zelophehad," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zelophehad," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).