Numbers 27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 27

Here is, I. The case of Zelophehad's daughters determined, Num. 27:1-11. II. Notice given to Moses of his death approaching, Num. 27:12-14. III. Provision made of a successor in the government, 1. By the prayer of Moses, Num. 27:15-17. 2. By the appointment of God, Num. 27:18-23 read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 27:1-11

Mention is made of the case of these daughters of Zelophehad in the chapter before, Num. 26:33. It should seem, by the particular notice taken of it, that it was a singular case, and that the like did not at this time occur in all Israel, that the head of a family had no sons, but daughters only. Their case is again debated (Num. 36:1-13) upon another article of it; and, according to the judgments given in their case, we find them put in possession, Josh. 17:3; 4. One would suppose that their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 27:12-14

Here, 1. God tells Moses of his fault, his speaking unadvisedly with his lips at the waters of strife, where he did not express, so carefully as he ought to have done, a regard to the honour both of God and Israel, Num. 27:14. Though Moses was a servant of the Lord, a faithful servant, yet once he rebelled against God's commandment, and failed in his duty; and though a very honourable servant, and highly favoured, yet he shall hear of his miscarriage, and all the world shall hear of it too,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 27:15-23

Here, I. Moses prays for a successor. When God had told him that he must die, though it appears elsewhere that he solicited for a reprieve for himself (Deut. 3:24; 25), yet, when this could not be obtained, he begged earnestly that the work of God might be carried on, though he might not have the honour of finishing it. Envious spirits do not love their successors, but Moses was not one of these. We should concern ourselves, both in our prayers and in our endeavours, for the rising generation,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 27 This chapter relates, that, upon a petition of the daughters of Zelophehad, the affair of inheritances was settled; and it is directed that, in case of want of male issue, inheritances should pass to females, and in failure of them to the next of kin, whether father's brethren or any near kinsman, Numbers 27:1 , also an order to Moses to go up to the Mount Abarim, and take a view of the good land, and die; with the reason of it, Numbers 27:12 , upon which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:1

Then came the daughters of Zelophehad ,.... Who are mentioned among the families of Manasseh, under that of the Hepherites, Numbers 26:33 , their father being dead, and they having no brethren, when they heard the land was to be divided among those that were numbered, and who were only males of twenty years old and upwards, were concerned, lest they should have no share in the division of the land; and therefore came, according to the Targum of Jonathan, to the house of judgment, or court... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:2

And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes, and all the congregation ,.... Who were now sitting in court, to hear and try causes brought before them; here were Moses the chief magistrate, Eleazar the high priest, the princes of the several tribes, and the representatives of the whole congregation, or it may be the seventy elders; a very grand and august assembly, before whom these ladies appeared, and from whom they might expect to have justice done... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:3

Our father died in the wilderness ,.... As all the generation of the children of Israel did, that came out of Egypt, who were twenty years old and upwards, excepting Joshua and Caleb: and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah ; which is observed, not so much to obtain the favour and good will of Moses as to clear the memory of their father from any reproach upon it, he dying in the wilderness; and chiefly to show that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:4

Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son .... Or be withdrawn, and his family lose their part and share on that account; this they thought was unreasonable: according to the Targum of Jonathan, to prevent the name of their father being lost, and his part in the land, their motion was, that their mother might marry their father's brother, according to the law in Deuteronomy 25:5 , with which Jarchi agrees; but it does not appear that that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 27:5

And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. For it seems it was too difficult for this court to decide; and it devolving upon Moses, as the president of it, and who only could have recourse to God at all times, he carried it to him and consulted with him about it: this, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem say, was one of the four causes that came before Moses the prophet, that he solved according to the mind of the Lord, which he consulted; one was concerning the blasphemer, ... read more

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