◄ Joshua 17:3 ►
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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 17:3? 2. How does Joshua 17:3 highlight God's provision for women in inheritance matters? 3. What does the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters teach about God's justice? 4. How can we apply the fairness shown in Joshua 17:3 to modern issues? 5. How does Joshua 17:3 connect with Numbers 27:1-11 regarding inheritance rights? 6. What lessons on faith and courage can we learn from Zelophehad's daughters? 7. Why does Joshua 17:3 emphasize Zelophehad's daughters' inheritance rights? 8. How does Joshua 17:3 challenge traditional gender roles in biblical times? 9. What does Joshua 17:3 reveal about God's justice and fairness? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 17? 11. Joshua 17:3–6: Is the story of Zelophehad’s daughters inheriting land plausible in a strict patriarchal society, or does it conflict with known ancient customs? 12. Numbers 27:1–11: If God’s law was perfect, why did He only address women’s inheritance rights after Zelophehad’s daughters complained? 13. 1 Chronicles 7:14–15 – How do we reconcile the lineage of Manasseh here with conflicting genealogical details elsewhere in Scripture? 14. Numbers 27:1-11 compared to Deuteronomy 21:15-17: Why do inheritance rules seem to evolve, potentially contradicting the idea of unchanging divine law? Discussion Questions 1. How does the account of Zelophehad's daughters challenge traditional views on inheritance and gender roles in biblical times? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate courage and faith in our own lives when facing societal norms that may seem unjust? 3. How does the inclusion of women in the inheritance laws reflect God's character and His view of justice? 4. What lessons can we learn from the daughters of Zelophehad about approaching God with our requests and concerns? 5. How can we ensure that we are leaving a spiritual legacy for future generations, similar to the inheritance sought by Zelophehad's daughters? Joshua 17 Bible Study Questions 1. How does the division of land among Manasseh's descendants reflect the fulfilment of God's promise? 2. Discuss the significance of the daughters of Zelophehad receiving an inheritance. What does this say about the status of women during this period? 3. In the context of Zelophehad's daughters, how does this passage address the issue of gender equality? What contemporary applications can you draw from this? 4. How do the detailed descriptions of the borders and cities contribute to the narrative and what do they symbolize? 5. Why were the descendants of Manasseh unable to fully occupy their cities, and what does this tell us about the importance of obedience in God's plan? 6. How does the dialogue between the sons of Joseph and Joshua demonstrate the balance between faith and action? 7. If you were in Joshua's position, how would you handle the complaints of the sons of Joseph? 8. Can you find parallels in the modern world where God's blessings, like the land in this passage, are in abundance but require work and bravery to fully claim? 9. In your life, have you experienced a time when, like the sons of Joseph, you were blessed abundantly but felt it wasn't enough? How did you address this feeling? 10. How does Joshua's response to the sons of Joseph challenge our understanding of problems and solutions? Can this be applied to challenges in your life? 11. If you were among the descendants of Manasseh, how would you address the issue of the persistent Canaanites? 12. How can we apply Joshua's encouragement to "clear the forest" in our modern lives? 13. How does the fear of the Canaanites and their iron chariots reflect our own fears when facing formidable obstacles? 14. In the face of fear and doubt, like the sons of Joseph faced with the Canaanites, how can we rely on God's promise and strength? 15. Can you identify situations in today's society where people are not fully claiming their 'inheritance' or potential because of fear or complacency? 16. How do the intertwined territories of Manasseh and Ephraim speak to the interconnectedness of human lives and communities? 17. How might the narrative change if the sons of Joseph didn’t speak up about their need for more land? How does this encourage communication and asserting one's needs? 18. The Canaanites are portrayed as obstacles to the tribes fully claiming their inheritance. What are the 'Canaanites' in your life, and how can you confront them? 19. How do faith and action play a part in overcoming the obstacles represented by the Canaanites and the iron chariots? 20. How can the story of Manasseh's inheritance inspire us to boldly claim God's promises, despite the challenges we face? Links Joshua 17:3 NIV Joshua 17:3 NLT Joshua 17:3 ESV Joshua 17:3 NASB Joshua 17:3 KJV Joshua 17:3 Commentaries Bible Hub