“Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons.”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and primarily focuses on the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. It records various events, laws, and instructions given to the Israelites during their time in the wilderness.
Understanding the Situation: In Numbers 27:1-2, the daughters of Zelophehad, whose father had passed away, come forward to speak to Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation. They present their case concerning their father’s inheritance, as they have no brothers. This sets the stage for the verse in question.
Death of Their Father: The daughters of Zelophehad state that their father died in the wilderness. This refers to the period of wandering in the wilderness after the Israelites’ departure from Egypt. It’s important to note that their father’s death occurred before the incident involving Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron.
Not Part of Korah’s Rebellion: The daughters of Zelophehad mention that their father was not among those who “gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah.” This is a significant statement because Korah’s rebellion was a major event that challenged the authority and leadership of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-35). The daughters want to emphasize that their father was not involved in this rebellion, thereby indicating his righteousness and loyalty to God.
Dying in His Own Sin: The daughters of Zelophehad also mention that their father died in his own sin. This statement implies that their father had committed some transgression or wrongdoing that led to his death. However, the specific sin is not mentioned in this verse, leaving room for speculation. It’s important to note that this reference to sin does not necessarily imply that their father was exceptionally sinful, but rather highlights the general condition of human sinfulness.
No Sons: Lastly, the daughters of Zelophehad mention that their father had no sons. In the ancient Israelite culture, inheritance was generally passed down to male heirs. In this case, since their father had no sons, the daughters were concerned about their family’s right to possess the land and inherit their father’s portion.
Lessons and Applications:
- Respect for Inheritance: The daughters of Zelophehad teach us the importance of upholding inheritance rights and addressing concerns related to fairness and justice within families and communities.
- God’s Justice and Individual Accountability: The verse illustrates that God judges each individual according to their own actions and choices. While the daughters’ father may have died in his own sin, they themselves were not held responsible for his actions but were still granted an inheritance.
- Gender Equality: This passage highlights the issue of gender equality and the unique circumstances faced by the daughters in a society where inheritance typically passed to male heirs. Their case prompted changes to the inheritance laws, demonstrating the value and significance of women in God’s plan.
By studying Numbers 27:3 in its context, we can gain insights into the challenges faced by the daughters of Zelophehad and learn valuable lessons about justice, accountability, and equality within the community of God’s people.
