Then came 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.
Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward. Zelophehad was descended from Hepher, who was descended from Gilead, who was descended from Machir, who was descended from Manasseh. They were from the families of Manasseh, who was Joseph's son. The names of Zelophehad's daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
This verse introduces five sisters from the tribe of Manasseh who are about to make a bold request that will change inheritance laws for women in Israel.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Numbers, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their Exodus from Egypt, and God was providing laws through Moses to guide the community as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This specific verse introduces the daughters of Zelophehad, who belonged to the tribe of Manasseh and were seeking to inherit their father's portion of land since he had no sons, reflecting the societal norms around property and family lineage in ancient Israel. It sets the stage for a key legal discussion on inheritance rights that would influence future generations.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.