Numbers 27

The daughter of Zelaphead sue for an inheritance among the brethren of their father.4.1.etc. God grants their suite, 5. Makes a civil lase on this occasion, touching the right of succession, in any inheritance 8. Moses being charged by God to overlooke or take a view of the land of Canaan from a mountain, for to die upon it, without entering into the land, 12 whereof the reason is given. He prayeth the LORD to give the people an able leader, in his stead, 15. and God orders Joshua to be chosen, for that purpose, and to be confirmed in that office of his, by the imposition of hands before all the people, 18. which is performed by Moseh.22.

1. Then drew near the daughters of Zelaphead, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, among the families of Manasseh, [To whom appertaining, they appear among them, before Moseh for to sue for their deceased fathers inheritance] the son of Joseh: 9and these are the names of his [viz Zelapheads daughters] Machla, Noa, and Hogla, and Milka, and Tirza.)

2. And they stood before the face of Moseh, and before the face of Eleazar the priest, and before the face of the chief (Rulers) and of all the Congregation, at the door of the Tent of the Congregation, saying,

3. Our father died in the wilderness, and he hath not been in the midst of the Congregation of those which gathered themselves against the LORD, in the congregation of Korah: [i.e. they were not mixt with them, nor had any hand in, or communion with their evil enterprise and doings, in that mutiny and insurrection, described ab.chap.16.1.2, 3,&c i.e. but ne died in his (own) sin, [though he was not guilty of partaking in the conspiracy of Korah, yet he] people, for which God had threatened them, they should all die and perish in the wilderness: see Numbers 14.] and had no sons.

4. Why should our fathers name be taken away [Hebr. lessened] out of the midst of his family, because he hath no son? give us a possession in the midst of the brethren of our father.

5. And Moseh brought their case [Heb. the judgement i.e. their case, plea, business, being to be brought before, and determined by Gods own sentence, it being then a doubtful matter yet, whether daughters in case of the male-line failing, might be admitted to inherit, or, by onely receiving a dowry quit the inheritance to others] before the face of the LORD. [i.e. in the tent of the congregation where Moses heard the voice of the LORD speaking to him from above the Expiation-cover, between the Cherubims, see Ex.25.22. and Num.7.89. or else it may be, that Moses understood the mind and will of God in such like cases, by certain signs and tokens of the Urim and Thummim, that was in the brest-plate of the high-priest; comp.bel.v.21.]

6. And the LORD spake to Moses, saying:

7. The daughters of Zelaphead speak aright; thou shalt wholly give them [Heb. giving give them] the possession of an inheritance in the midst of the brethren of their father; [understand, that part or portion of inheritance, which should have fallen to their fathers share if he had lived] and thou shall cause the inheritance of their father to come upon them.

8. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying: when any dyeth, and hath no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to come upon his daughter.

9. And if he have no daughter, then shall ye give his inheritance to his brethren. [viz. after the decease of him that hath no son nor daughters; and so also in the latter end of the next verse.]

10. Now if he have no brethren, then shall ye give his inheritance to the brethren of his father.

11. If his father also have no brethren, then shall ye give his inheritance to his nearest kindred, to him that is the nearest to his family, [viz. his fathers, from whom the sons are denominated.] that he may hereditarily possess:

12. After that the LORD said to Moseh: ascend on this mount Abarim: [The LORD sheweth him a certain hill from mount Abarim: at this mount there was the one and fourtieth (i.e. the last saving one) resting, or camping-place of the children of Israel, in their journeying toward the land of Canaan, together with mount Nebo, whereon Moseh died, Deut.32.49, 50. And 34.1, 5.] and see that land, which I have given to the children of Israel.

13. When thou shalt have seen the same, then shalt thou be gathered to thy people [See Gen.15. on v.15.and 25. On v.8.] thy self also, according as thy brother Aaron was gathered.

14. After that thou hast been rebellious to my mouth in the Wilderness of Zin, [Heb Tsin, above, chap.20.12.] in the contention of the Congregation, for to hallow me at the waters before their eyes: [we do hallow or sanctify God, when we conceive aright of his Holiness, virtues and operations, when we speak reverently of them, and by our works and actions cause his Name to be praise and magnified, Lev.22.2. also above, chapter 20.12. Joh.8.13. and 29.23.] those are the waters of Meriba; [i.e. of contention, distinguished by the place from those at Raphidim, where they (viz. Moseh and Aaron) had not sinned against the LORD with unbelief, Exod.17.7.] of Kades in the wilderness of Zin.

15. Then Moseh spake unto the LORD saying:

16. Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh; [i.e. he that hath created the souls of all men, and poureth forth into the same such gifts of both nature and grace, as are fit and requisite for them, to go through the work of their calling: see above, chapter 16. On verse 22.] put (or set, place) a man over this Congregation.

17. That may go forth before their face, and that may come in before their face, [i.e. such a one as may carefully observe and courageously perform the works of his calling, both at home and abroad, upon all occasions. See Deut.28.6. and 31.2. with the Annot.] and that may lead them forth, and that may lead them in: [i.e. guide and command them by his authority, prudence and discretion, and faithfully govern and protect them, so that every one may discharge the duty of his Calling, and enjoying both spiritual and temporal bliss and welfare, under him] that the Congregation of the LORD be not as sheep that have no shepherd.

18. Then the LORD said to Moseh; Take unto thee Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom the Spirit is; [i.e. such a measure and portion of the Spirit as is needful for him to manage so great a Government; viz. the Spirit of the fear of the LORD, of wisdom, of power, of righteousness, of patience, of temperance, which are the special graces of my spirit] and lay thy hand upon him: [by this Ceremony he was to be consecrated and dedicated unto God, faithfully to administer his Office, and to receive the necessary gifts for it; see of the various use of this Ceremony, Gen.48. on v.14. Lev.1. on v.4. Numb.8. on verse 10.]

19. And set him before the face of Eleazar the Priest, and before the face of the whole Congregation; and give him charge before their eyes: [viz. of what he is to do or forbearing the administration of his Office.]

20. And lay upon him [Compare above, chap.11.17. and the Annot. there] of the glory: [understand hereby, not onely the outward luster of authority and respect, but especially the inward endowment and worthy qualification for the Office] that they may hear, [i.e. obey him] to wit, the whole Congregation of the children of Israel.

21. And he shall stand before the face of Eleazar the Priest, that shall ask counsel for him, according to the manner of Urim; [See hereof, Exod.28.on v.30. Lev.8. on v.8. By means hereof Gods counsel was asked extraordinarily in very doubtful and weighty cases; see above the notes on v.5. But otherwise the Rulers were to square their actions according to the written Word, and revealed Will of God; Deut.17.19. Joshua, 7, 8.] before the face of the LORD; according to his mouth shall they go forth, and according to his mouth shall they come in, he and all the children of Israel with him, and the whole Congregation. [i.e. both he and they shall perform the duties of their calling, according to the command and prescript of the LORD. Compare above, the Annot.on v.17.]

22. And Moseh did, according as the LORD had commanded him: for he took Joshua, and set him before the face of Eleazar the Priest, and before the face of the whole Congregation.

23. And he laid his hands upon him, [See above, on v.18.] and gave him charge: according as the LORD had spoken, by the ministry [Heb.hand] of Moseh.