The Daughters of Zelophehad

27 The daughters of Zelophehad showed up. Their father was the son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Makir son of Manasseh, belonging to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

2-4 They came to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. They stood before Moses and Eleazar the priest and before the leaders and the congregation and said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He wasn’t part of Korah’s rebel anti-God gang. He died for his own sins. And he left no sons. But why should our father’s name die out from his clan just because he had no sons? So give us an inheritance among our father’s relatives.”

Moses brought their case to God.

6-7 God ruled: “Zelophehad’s daughters are right. Give them land as an inheritance among their father’s relatives. Give them their father’s inheritance.

8-11 “Then tell the People of Israel, If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give it to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give it to his father’s brothers. If his father had no brothers, give it to the nearest relative so that the inheritance stays in the family. This is the standard procedure for the People of Israel, as commanded by God through Moses.”

Joshua

12-14 God said to Moses, “Climb up into the Abarim Mountains and look over at the land that I am giving to the People of Israel. When you’ve had a good look you’ll be joined to your ancestors in the grave—yes, you also along with Aaron your brother. This goes back to the day when the congregation quarreled in the Wilderness of Zin and you didn’t honor me in holy reverence before them in the matter of the waters, the Waters of Meribah (Quarreling) at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.”

15-17 Moses responded to God: “Let God, the God of the spirits of everyone living, set a man over this community to lead them, to show the way ahead and bring them back home so God’s community will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

18-21 God said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun—the Spirit is in him!—and place your hand on him. Stand him before Eleazar the priest in front of the entire congregation and commission him with everyone watching. Pass your magisterial authority over to him so that the whole congregation of the People of Israel will listen obediently to him. He is to consult with Eleazar the priest who, using the oracle-Urim, will prayerfully advise him in the presence of God. He will command the People of Israel, the entire community, in all their comings and goings.”

22-23 Moses followed God’s orders. He took Joshua and stood him before Eleazar the priest in front of the entire community. He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, following the procedures God had given Moses.

Offerings

28 1-8 God spoke to Moses: “Command the People of Israel. Tell them, You’re in charge of presenting my food, my Fire-Gifts of pleasing fragrance, at the set times. Tell them, This is the Fire-Gift that you are to present to God: two healthy yearling lambs each day as a regular Whole-Burnt-Offering. Sacrifice one lamb in the morning, the other in the evening, together with two quarts of fine flour mixed with a quart of olive oil for a Grain-Offering. This is the standard Whole-Burnt-Offering instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing fragrance, a Fire-Gift to God. The Drink-Offering that goes with it is a quart of strong beer with each lamb. Pour out the Drink-Offering before God in the Sanctuary. Sacrifice the second lamb in the evening with the Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering the same as in the morning—a Fire-Gift of pleasing fragrance for God.

* * *

9-10 “On the Sabbath, sacrifice two healthy yearling lambs, together with the Drink-Offering and the Grain-Offering of four quarts of fine flour mixed with oil. This is the regular Sabbath Whole-Burnt-Offering, in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering and its Drink-Offering.

* * *

11 “On the first of the month offer a Whole-Burnt-Offering to God: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male yearling lambs—all healthy.

12-14 “A Grain-Offering of six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil goes with each bull, four quarts of fine flour mixed with oil with the ram, and two quarts of fine flour mixed with oil with each lamb. This is for a Whole-Burnt-Offering, a pleasing fragrance, a Fire-Gift to God. Also, Drink-Offerings of two quarts of wine for each bull, one and a quarter quarts of wine for the ram, and a quart of wine for each lamb are to be poured out.

14-15 “This is the first of the month Whole-Burnt-Offering to be made throughout the year. In addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its accompanying Drink-Offering, a he-goat is to be offered to God as an Absolution-Offering.

* * *

16-17 God’s Passover is to be held on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the fifteenth day of this month hold a festival.

17-22 “For seven days, eat only unraised bread: Begin the first day in holy worship; don’t do any regular work that day. Bring a Fire-Gift to God, a Whole-Burnt-Offering: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare a Grain-Offering of six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull, four quarts for the ram, and two quarts for each lamb, plus a goat as an Absolution-Offering to atone for you.

23-24 “Sacrifice these in addition to the regular morning Whole-Burnt-Offering. Prepare the food this way for the Fire-Gift, a pleasing fragrance to God, every day for seven days. Prepare it in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering and Drink-Offering.

25 “Conclude the seventh day in holy worship; don’t do any regular work on that day.

* * *

26-30 “On the Day of Firstfruits when you bring an offering of new grain to God on your Feast-of-Weeks, gather in holy worship and don’t do any regular work. Bring a Whole-Burnt-Offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male yearling lambs as a pleasing fragrance to God. Prepare a Grain-Offering of six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull, four quarts for the ram, and two quarts for each lamb, plus a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering to atone for you.

31 “These are all over and above the daily Whole-Burnt-Offering and its Grain-Offering and the Drink-Offering. Remember, the animals must be healthy.

* * *

29 1-5 “On the first day of the seventh month, gather in holy worship and do no regular work. This is your Day-of-Trumpet-Blasts. Sacrifice a Whole-Burnt-Offering: one young bull, one ram, and seven male yearling lambs—all healthy—as a pleasing fragrance to God. Prepare a Grain-Offering of six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for the bull, four quarts for the ram, and two quarts for each lamb, plus a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering to atone for you.

“These are all over and above the monthly and daily Whole-Burnt-Offerings with their Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings as prescribed, a pleasing fragrance, a Fire-Gift to God.

* * *

“On the tenth day of this seventh month, gather in holy worship, humble yourselves, and do no work.

8-11 “Bring a Whole-Burnt-Offering to God as a pleasing fragrance: one young bull, one ram, and seven yearling male lambs—all healthy. Prepare a Grain-Offering of six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for the bull, four quarts for the ram, and two quarts for each of the seven lambs. Also bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering to atone for you in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

* * *

12-16 “Gather in holy worship on the fifteenth day of the seventh month; do no regular work. Celebrate a Festival to God for seven days. Bring a Whole-Burnt-Offering, a Fire-Gift of pleasing fragrance to God: thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen yearling male lambs—all healthy. Prepare a Grain-Offering of six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for each of the bulls, four quarts for each ram, and two quarts for each of the fourteen lambs. Also bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

17-19 “On the second day: twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen yearling male lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

20-22 “On the third day: eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

23-25 “On the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

26-28 “On the fifth day: nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

29-31 “On the sixth day: eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

32-34 “On the seventh day: seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

35-38 “On the eighth day: Gather in holy worship; do no regular work. Bring a Fire-Gift of pleasing fragrance to God, a Whole-Burnt-Offering: one bull, one ram, and seven male yearling lambs—all healthy. Prepare Grain-Offerings and Drink-Offerings to go with the bulls, rams, and lambs following the prescribed recipes. And bring a he-goat as an Absolution-Offering in addition to the regular Whole-Burnt-Offering with its Grain-Offering and Drink-Offering.

39 “Sacrifice these to God as a congregation at your set feasts: your Whole-Burnt-Offerings, Grain-Offerings, Drink-Offerings, and Peace-Offerings. These are all over and above your personal Vow-Offerings and Freewill-Offerings.”

40 Moses instructed the People of Israel in all that God commanded him.

Zelophehad’s Daughters(A)

27 The daughters of Zelophehad(B) son of Hepher,(C) the son of Gilead,(D) the son of Makir,(E) the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward and stood before Moses,(F) Eleazar the priest, the leaders(G) and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting(H) and said, “Our father died in the wilderness.(I) He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord,(J) but he died for his own sin and left no sons.(K) Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”

So Moses brought their case(L) before the Lord,(M) and the Lord said to him, “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance(N) among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.(O)

“Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to have the force of law(P) for the Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”

Joshua to Succeed Moses

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain(Q) in the Abarim Range(R) and see the land(S) I have given the Israelites.(T) 13 After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people,(U) as your brother Aaron(V) was, 14 for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin,(W) both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy(X) before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah(Y) Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.)

15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things,(Z) appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”(AA)

18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership,[a](AB) and lay your hand on him.(AC) 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him(AD) in their presence.(AE) 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.(AF) 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring(AG) of the Urim(AH) before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”

22 Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. 23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him,(AI) as the Lord instructed through Moses.

Daily Offerings

28 The Lord said to Moses, “Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time(AJ) my food(AK) offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me.’(AL) Say to them: ‘This is the food offering you are to present to the Lord: two lambs a year old without defect,(AM) as a regular burnt offering each day.(AN) Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,(AO) together with a grain offering(AP) of a tenth of an ephah[b] of the finest flour(AQ) mixed with a quarter of a hin[c] of oil(AR) from pressed olives. This is the regular burnt offering(AS) instituted at Mount Sinai(AT) as a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.(AU) The accompanying drink offering(AV) is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink(AW) with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the Lord at the sanctuary.(AX) Offer the second lamb at twilight,(AY) along with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering that you offer in the morning.(AZ) This is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(BA)

Sabbath Offerings

“‘On the Sabbath(BB) day, make an offering of two lambs a year old without defect,(BC) together with its drink offering and a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah[d](BD) of the finest flour mixed with olive oil.(BE) 10 This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath,(BF) in addition to the regular burnt offering(BG) and its drink offering.

Monthly Offerings

11 “‘On the first of every month,(BH) present to the Lord a burnt offering of two young bulls,(BI) one ram(BJ) and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.(BK) 12 With each bull there is to be a grain offering(BL) of three-tenths of an ephah[e](BM) of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, a grain offering of two-tenths(BN) of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; 13 and with each lamb, a grain offering(BO) of a tenth(BP) of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil. This is for a burnt offering,(BQ) a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.(BR) 14 With each bull there is to be a drink offering(BS) of half a hin[f] of wine; with the ram, a third of a hin[g]; and with each lamb, a quarter of a hin. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon(BT) during the year. 15 Besides the regular burnt offering(BU) with its drink offering, one male goat(BV) is to be presented to the Lord as a sin offering.[h](BW)

The Passover(BX)

16 “‘On the fourteenth day of the first month the Lord’s Passover(BY) is to be held. 17 On the fifteenth day of this month there is to be a festival; for seven days(BZ) eat bread made without yeast.(CA) 18 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.(CB) 19 Present to the Lord a food offering(CC) consisting of a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.(CD) 20 With each bull offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah(CE) of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths;(CF) 21 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.(CG) 22 Include one male goat as a sin offering(CH) to make atonement for you.(CI) 23 Offer these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering. 24 In this way present the food offering every day for seven days as an aroma pleasing to the Lord;(CJ) it is to be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering. 25 On the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.

The Festival of Weeks(CK)

26 “‘On the day of firstfruits,(CL) when you present to the Lord an offering of new grain during the Festival of Weeks,(CM) hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.(CN) 27 Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(CO) 28 With each bull there is to be a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths;(CP) 29 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.(CQ) 30 Include one male goat(CR) to make atonement for you. 31 Offer these together with their drink offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offering(CS) and its grain offering. Be sure the animals are without defect.

The Festival of Trumpets(CT)

29 “‘On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.(CU) It is a day for you to sound the trumpets. As an aroma pleasing to the Lord,(CV) offer a burnt offering(CW) of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old,(CX) all without defect.(CY) With the bull offer a grain offering(CZ) of three-tenths of an ephah[i] of the finest flour mixed with olive oil; with the ram, two-tenths[j]; and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.[k](DA) Include one male goat(DB) as a sin offering[l] to make atonement for you. These are in addition to the monthly(DC) and daily burnt offerings(DD) with their grain offerings(DE) and drink offerings(DF) as specified. They are food offerings presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma.(DG)

The Day of Atonement(DH)

“‘On the tenth day of this seventh month hold a sacred assembly. You must deny yourselves[m](DI) and do no work.(DJ) Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.(DK) With the bull offer a grain offering(DL) of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths;(DM) 10 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.(DN) 11 Include one male goat(DO) as a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering for atonement and the regular burnt offering(DP) with its grain offering, and their drink offerings.(DQ)

The Festival of Tabernacles(DR)

12 “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh(DS) month,(DT) hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days. 13 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord(DU) a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.(DV) 14 With each of the thirteen bulls offer a grain offering(DW) of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with each of the two rams, two-tenths; 15 and with each of the fourteen lambs, one-tenth.(DX) 16 Include one male goat as a sin offering,(DY) in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.(DZ)

17 “‘On the second day(EA) offer twelve young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.(EB) 18 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings(EC) and drink offerings(ED) according to the number specified.(EE) 19 Include one male goat as a sin offering,(EF) in addition to the regular burnt offering(EG) with its grain offering, and their drink offerings.(EH)

20 “‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.(EI) 21 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.(EJ) 22 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

23 “‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 24 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 25 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

26 “‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 27 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 28 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

29 “‘On the sixth day offer eight bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 30 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 31 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

32 “‘On the seventh day offer seven bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 33 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 34 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

35 “‘On the eighth day hold a closing special assembly(EK) and do no regular work. 36 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord(EL) a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of one bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old,(EM) all without defect. 37 With the bull, the ram and the lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 38 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

39 “‘In addition to what you vow(EN) and your freewill offerings,(EO) offer these to the Lord at your appointed festivals:(EP) your burnt offerings,(EQ) grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings.(ER)’”

40 Moses told the Israelites all that the Lord commanded him.[n]

Footnotes

  1. Numbers 27:18 Or the Spirit
  2. Numbers 28:5 That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms; also in verses 13, 21 and 29
  3. Numbers 28:5 That is, about 1 quart or about 1 liter; also in verses 7 and 14
  4. Numbers 28:9 That is, probably about 7 pounds or about 3.2 kilograms; also in verses 12, 20 and 28
  5. Numbers 28:12 That is, probably about 11 pounds or about 5 kilograms; also in verses 20 and 28
  6. Numbers 28:14 That is, about 2 quarts or about 1.9 liters
  7. Numbers 28:14 That is, about 1 1/3 quarts or about 1.3 liters
  8. Numbers 28:15 Or purification offering; also in verse 22
  9. Numbers 29:3 That is, probably about 11 pounds or about 5 kilograms; also in verses 9 and 14
  10. Numbers 29:3 That is, probably about 7 pounds or about 3.2 kilograms; also in verses 9 and 14
  11. Numbers 29:4 That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms; also in verses 10 and 15
  12. Numbers 29:5 Or purification offering; also elsewhere in this chapter
  13. Numbers 29:7 Or must fast
  14. Numbers 29:40 In Hebrew texts this verse (29:40) is numbered 30:1.