Bamidbar (Numbers) 27

1The daughters of Zelophehad, of Manassite family—son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph—came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

2They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chieftains, and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and they said,

3“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not one of the faction, Korah’s faction, that banded together against GOD, but died for his own sin; and he has left no sons.

4Let not our father’s name be lost to his clan just because he had no son! Give us a holding among our father’s kinsmen!”

5Moses brought their case before GOD.

6And GOD said to Moses,

7“The plea of Zelophehad’s daughters is just: you should give them a hereditary holding among their father’s kinsmen; transfer their father’s share to them.

8“Further, speak to the Israelite people as follows: ‘If a man dies without leaving a son, you shall transfer his property to his daughter.

9If he has no daughter, you shall assign his property to his brothers.

10If he has no brothers, you shall assign his property to his father’s brothers.

11If his father had no brothers, you shall assign his property to his nearest relative in his own clan, who shall inherit it.’ This shall be the law of procedure for the Israelites, in accordance with GOD’s command to Moses.”

12GOD said to Moses, “Ascend these heights of Abarim and view the land that I have given to the Israelite people.

13When you have seen it, you too shall be gathered to your kin, just as your brother Aaron was.

14For, in the wilderness of Zin, when the community was contentious, you disobeyed My command to uphold My sanctity in their sight by means of the water.” Those are the waters of Meribath-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin.†

15Moses spoke to GOD, saying,

16“Let GOD, Source of the breath of all flesh, appoint someone over the community†

17who shall go out before them and come in before them, and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that GOD’s community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.”†

18And GOD answered Moses, “Single out Joshua son of Nun, an inspired man, and lay your hand upon him.

19Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community, and commission him in their sight.†

20Invest him with some of your authority, so that the whole Israelite community may obey.

21But he shall present himself to Eleazar the priest, who shall on his behalf seek the decision of the Urim before GOD. By such instruction they shall go out and by such instruction they shall come in, he and all the Israelites, and the whole community.Ӡ

22Moses did as GOD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community.

23He laid his hands upon him and commissioned him—as GOD had spoken through Moses.