Zelophehad

From Bible Exegesis

First-born, of the tribe of Manasseh, and of the family of Gilead; died in the wilderness. Having left no sons, his daughters, concerned lest their father's name should be “done away from among his family,” made an appeal to Moses, who, by divine direction, appointed it as “a statute of judgment” in Israel that daughters should inherit their father's portion when no sons were left (Num_27:1-11). But that the possession of Zelophehad might not pass away in the year of jubilee from the tribe to which he belonged, it was ordained by Moses that his daughters should not marry any one out of their father's tribe; and this afterwards became a general law (Num_36:1-13).

zḗ-lō´fḗ-had (צלפחד, celophḥādh, meaning unknown):

Head of a Manassite family who died without male issue (Num_26:33; Num_27:1, Num_27:7; Num_36:2, Num_36:6, Num_36:10, Num_36:11; Jos_17:3; 1Ch_7:15). His daughters came to Moses and Eleazar and successfully pleaded for a possession for themselves (Num_27:1 ff). This became the occasion for a law providing that in the case of a man dying without sons, the inheritance was to pass to his daughters if he had any. A further request is made (Num_36:2 ff) by the heads of the Gileadite houses that the women who were given this right of inheritance should be compelled to marry members of their own tribe, so that the tribe may not lose them and their property. This is granted and becomes law among the Hebrews.

Gray says (ICC on Num_26:33) that the “daughters” of Zelophehad are towns or clans.