Overview
Zelophehad died in the wilderness without sons, leaving only five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These daughters approached Moses with a concern about their family's inheritance, as the law of that time typically passed property to sons. Their petition led Moses to seek God's guidance, resulting in a new ordinance that expanded inheritance rights to include daughters when no sons were present. This case later required clarification regarding tribal land boundaries and marriage restrictions for inheriting daughters.
Key Scriptures
"Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward. Their father was Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Makir, son of Manasseh, a member of the Manassite clans" (Numbers 27:1, ESV).
"Our father died in the wilderness... and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away with from his clan because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers" (Numbers 27:3-4, ESV).
"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying" (Numbers 27:6-7, ESV).
Application
This account demonstrates God's justice in protecting the vulnerable and shows how believers should seek biblical wisdom for novel circumstances.