27:1 his daughters Introduced prior, in the census of Num 26:29–33.

27:2 before Eleazar The eldest living son of Aaron, Eleazar became high priest after his father died (20:25–28).

leaders See note on 1:16.

the entire community Refers to the entire nation (men, women, and children). See note on 1:2.

the tent of assembly See note on 14:10.

27:3 Our father died in the desert Their father was part of the first generation of Israelites who were not allowed to enter the promised land due to their rebellion (14:26–35).

the company of Korah He was not among the guilty during Korah’s rebellion (ch. 16).

in his own sin He died along with his entire generation (14:29). The phrase may also parallel the previous statement indicating he had not joined in the rebellion against Moses. In that sense, the reference about his sin may indicate he was not guilty of persuading others to sin like the leaders of the rebellion had been.

27:4 should the name of our father disappear Zelophehad’s line would continue through his grandsons once the daughters married; in the meantime, they needed to inherit a share of his property to survive. If they did not survive, their father’s name would die out. The Israelites associated the disappearance of family name with divine judgment (Deut 9:14; 29:20).

in the midst of the brothers of our father The law contains no provisions up to this point for women to inherit a share of their father’s property. Instead, his inheritance would be absorbed by his brothers and, by extension, their sons. Hints in the patriarchal narratives, as well as ancient Near Eastern legal codes, do suggest that customs regarding female inheritance rights did exist (e.g., Gen 31:14; compare Naomi’s situation in Ruth; see Ruth 2:20).

27:5 Moses brought their case Only the most difficult cases were brought to Moses to bring before Yahweh (Exod 18). This statement suggests that the women had already worked through several layers of bureaucracy before their case was brought to Moses’ attention.

27:7 You must surely give them the property of an inheritance Yahweh sides with Zelophehad’s daughters. This passage consequently begins to lay out the rights of Israelite women with respect to property law.

27:11 his nearest relative from his own clan An example of the nearest kinsman being offered the right of inheritance appears in the legal proceedings of the book of Ruth (Ruth 4).

27:12 this mountain of Abarim See 21:11. The Abarim was a mountain range northeast of the Dead Sea (compare 33:47–48). According to Deut 32:49, the particular mountain in this range from which Moses viewed the land was Mount Nebo.

27:13 will be gathered to your people A euphemism for death.

just as Aaron your brother was gathered The death of Aaron appears in Num 20:22–29. The scene of Aaron’s death is similar to the one described here.

27:14 you rebelled against Moses is reminded of Yahweh’s punishment, which He promised after Moses lost his temper against the people (20:12).

Meribah-Kadesh Means “quarreling.” See 20:13; compare Deut 32:51.

Meribah-Kadesh This site was on the southern border of the promised land (Num 34:4). See note on 20:1.

the desert of Zin See note on 20:1.

27:16 the spirits of all flesh See note on 14:24.

27:17 bring them in These idiomatic expressions refer to military command and activity.

a flock that does not have a shepherd Describes an absence of leadership. Moses is elsewhere described as Israel’s shepherd (Isa 63:11; Psa 78:71). Later, King David is referred to as a shepherd, effectively casting him as a new Moses.

27:18 Joshua Moses’ apprentice and military general since the beginning of the Israelite’s trek in the wilderness (Exod 17:9; see note on Josh 1:1).

in whom is the spirit This phrase can be understood as the ot way of describing the working of the Holy Spirit. It may be describing the gift of wisdom (Deut 34:9), special skills (Exod 35:31), or courage (Josh 2:11; 5:1).

place your hand on him The transfer of Moses’ authority to Joshua was represented by Moses laying his hands on him (33; compare Num 8:10; Lev 16:21).

27:19 Eleazar Aaron’s successor as high priest. See Num 20:25–28.

27:20 from your authority For another example of a portion of Moses’ spirit or authority being bestowed upon others, see ch. 11, where a portion of Moses’ spirit is enough to cause 70 people to prophesy.

27:21 by the decision of the Urim An abbreviated reference to the Urim and Thummim, a mode of divination by which Israel’s high priest determined the will of Yahweh. See Exod 28:30 and note. Compare Lev 8:8; 1 Sam 28:6.

On his command At the word of Joshua; the language that follows parallels the description of the authority of the military commander in Num 27:17.