Numbers 27:8
New International Version
“Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.

New Living Translation
“And give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If a man dies and has no son, then give his inheritance to his daughters.

English Standard Version
And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

Berean Standard Bible
Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

New American Standard Bible
Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

NASB 1995
“Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

NASB 1977
“Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

Legacy Standard Bible
Further, you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall have his inheritance pass on to his daughter.

Amplified Bible
Further, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and has no son, you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

Christian Standard Bible
Tell the Israelites: When a man dies without having a son, transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tell the Israelites: When a man dies without having a son, transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Tell the Israelites that when a man dies without a son, his daughter will inherit his land.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Tell the Israelites: If a man dies and leaves no sons, turn his property over to his daughters.

Good News Translation
Tell the people of Israel that whenever a man dies without leaving a son, his daughter is to inherit his property.

International Standard Version
Tell the Israelis that when a man dies without a son, you are to pass his inheritance to his daughter.

Majority Standard Bible
Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ?If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter.

NET Bible
And you must tell the Israelites, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you must transfer his inheritance to his daughter;

New Heart English Bible
You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a man shall die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

World English Bible
You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you speak to the sons of Israel, saying, When a man dies and has no son, then you have caused his inheritance to pass over to his daughter;

Young's Literal Translation
'And unto the sons of Israel thou dost speak, saying, When a man dieth, and hath no son, then ye have caused his inheritance to pass over to his daughter;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to the sons of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, A man when he shall die, and no son to him, and cause ye his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When a man dieth without a son, his inheritance shall pass to his daughter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When a man dies without a son, his inheritance shall be transferred to his daughter.

New American Bible
Tell the Israelites: If a man dies without leaving a son, you shall transfer his heritage to his daughter;

New Revised Standard Version
You shall also say to the Israelites, “If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall pass his inheritance on to his daughter.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall say to the children of Israel, If a man dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say to the children of Israel: ‘When a man will die and he has no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If a man die, and have no son, ye shall assign his inheritance to his daughter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Daughters of Zelophehad
7“The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers, and transfer their father’s inheritance to them. 8Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.…

Cross References
Joshua 17:3-6
But Zelophehad son of Hepher (the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh) had no sons but only daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. / They approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders, and said, “The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance among their father’s brothers, in keeping with the command of the LORD. / Thus ten shares fell to Manasseh, in addition to the land of Gilead and Bashan beyond the Jordan, ...

Numbers 36:1-12
Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them, / saying, “When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, He also commanded him to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. / But if they marry any of the men from the other tribes of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the portion of our fathers and added to the tribe into which they marry. So our allotted inheritance would be taken away. ...

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

Genesis 31:14-16
And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house? / Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us. / Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”

Job 42:15
No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers.

1 Chronicles 23:22
Eleazar died without having any sons; he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.

Ezekiel 46:16-18
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons as an inheritance, it will belong to his descendants. It will become their property by inheritance. / But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it will belong to that servant until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs only to his sons; it shall be theirs. / The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people by evicting them from their property. He is to provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of My people will be displaced from his property.’”

Ruth 4:5-10
Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. ...

Leviticus 25:46
You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother.

2 Kings 8:1-6
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines. / At the end of seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to the king to appeal for her house and her land. ...

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 21:38
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’

Luke 12:13-14
Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” / But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”

Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.

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Cause Caused Children Daughter Death Die Dies Dieth Heritage Inheritance Israel Israelites Leaves Speak Time Transfer Turn
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Cause Caused Children Daughter Death Die Dies Dieth Heritage Inheritance Israel Israelites Leaves Speak Time Transfer Turn
Numbers 27
1. The daughters of Zelophehad ask for an inheritance
6. The law of inheritances
12. Moses, being told of his death, asks for a successor
18. Joshua is appointed to succeed him














And you shall speak to the Israelites
This phrase begins with a direct command from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of communication and leadership. The Hebrew root for "speak" is דָּבַר (dabar), which implies not just speaking, but conveying a message with authority and purpose. In the historical context, Moses serves as the intermediary between God and the Israelites, highlighting the importance of clear and divinely guided leadership. This command underscores the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people, the Israelites, who are to be guided by His statutes and laws.

If a man dies and has no son
The phrase addresses a specific legal situation within the Israelite community. The Hebrew word for "dies" is מוּת (muth), which is often used in the context of mortality and the human condition. The absence of a son in this context is significant because, in ancient Israelite society, inheritance typically passed through male descendants. This reflects the patriarchal structure of the time, where lineage and property were closely tied to male heirs. The situation presented here necessitates a divine directive to ensure justice and continuity within the family and community.

you shall transfer his inheritance
The term "transfer" comes from the Hebrew root עָבַר (avar), meaning to pass over or pass on. This indicates a legal and formal process of moving property rights from one individual to another. The concept of inheritance is deeply rooted in the covenantal promises given to Abraham, where land and legacy are central themes. This directive ensures that the inheritance remains within the family, preserving the tribal and familial integrity that is crucial to the Israelite identity and God's promises to His people.

to his daughter
This phrase marks a significant development in the inheritance laws of ancient Israel. The inclusion of daughters as rightful heirs in the absence of a son is a progressive step within the cultural and historical context. It reflects God's justice and care for all members of the community, ensuring that women are provided for and that family property remains within the family line. This provision highlights the value and dignity of women in God's eyes, even within a patriarchal society, and sets a precedent for equitable treatment in matters of inheritance.

(8) If a man die, and have no son . . . --On the general law of inheritance which is here laid down, see Selden's De Successionibus, London, 1636, and Keil's Arch?ol., 2, s. 142.

Verse 8. - If a man die, and have no son. On this particular case a general rule of much wider incidence was founded. The Mosaic law of succession followed the same lines as the feudal law of Europe, equally disallowing disposition by will, and discouraging, if not disallowing, alienation by grant. Upon the land was to rest the whole social fabric of Israel, and all that was valued and permanent in family life and feeling was to be tied as it were to the landed inheritance. Hence the land was in every case so to pass that the name and fame, the privilege and duty, of the deceased owner might be as far as possible perpetuated. Unto his daughter. Not for her maintenance, but in order that her husband might represent her father. In most cases he would take her name, and be counted as one of her father's family. This had no doubt already become customary among the Jews, as among almost all nations. Compare the cases of Sheshan and Jarha (1 Chronicles 2:34, 35), of Jair (Numbers 32:41), and subsequently of the Levitical "sons of Barzillai" (Ezra 2:61). The question, however, would only become of public importance at the time when Israel became a nation of landed proprietors.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Furthermore,
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

you shall say
תְּדַבֵּ֣ר (tə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to the Israelites,
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

‘If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a man
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

dies
יָמ֗וּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and leaves no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

son,
וּבֵן֙ (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

you are to transfer
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥ם (wə·ha·‘ă·ḇar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

his inheritance
נַחֲלָת֖וֹ (na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

to his daughter.
לְבִתּֽוֹ׃ (lə·ḇit·tōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter


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OT Law: Numbers 27:8 You shall speak to the children (Nu Num.)
Numbers 27:7
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