King James Version

What Does Joshua 17:3 Mean?

Joshua 17:3 in the King James Version says “But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.”

Joshua 17:3 · KJV

Context

1

There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.

2

There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.

3

But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

4

And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.

5

And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;

Read Joshua 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher...had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—This verse references a landmark case in Israelite inheritance law, first presented in Numbers 27:1-11. Zelophehad died during the wilderness wandering, leaving five daughters but no sons. Under standard patrilineal inheritance, his family line would have been extinguished and his portion absorbed by other clans.

The naming of all five daughters—Machlah, Noach, Choglah, Milkah, and Tirtzah—honors their courage and faith in approaching Moses, Eleazar, and the tribal leaders to request their father's inheritance. Their Hebrew names carry meanings: Mahlah ("sickness" or "infirmity"), Noah ("movement" or "rest"), Hoglah ("partridge"), Milcah ("queen"), and Tirzah ("pleasantness"). These women become models of faithful persistence in claiming covenant promises, foreshadowing how gentile women (Ruth, Rahab) and later all believers would be included in God's inheritance through faith.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The case of Zelophehad's daughters established revolutionary precedent in ancient Near Eastern property law, which typically excluded women from inheritance. God's ruling (Numbers 27:7) declared their claim just, modifying inheritance law to preserve family portions. A supplementary ruling (Numbers 36:6-12) required them to marry within Manasseh to keep land within the tribe. This balance between women's rights and tribal integrity showed remarkable legal sophistication. The daughters' successful petition demonstrates that Israel's law was not arbitrary tradition but derived from divine revelation that could address new situations. Their story appears three times in Torah (Numbers 26:33; 27:1-11; 36:1-12) and twice in Joshua (17:3-6), indicating its theological significance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's response to Zelophehad's daughters teach about His concern for justice beyond traditional social structures?
  2. How do these women's faithful persistence in claiming their inheritance model the way we should approach God with requests rooted in His promises?
  3. In what ways does this account foreshadow the gospel truth that inheritance in God's kingdom depends not on gender or social status but on covenant relationship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְלִצְלָפְחָד֩1 of 24

“But Zelophehad”

H6765

tselophchad, an israelite

בָּנִ֖ים2 of 24

“had no sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֵ֨פֶר3 of 24

“of Hepher”

H2660

chepher, a place in palestine

בָּנִ֖ים4 of 24

“had no sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

גִּלְעָ֜ד5 of 24

“of Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

בָּנִ֖ים6 of 24

“had no sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מָכִ֣יר7 of 24

“of Machir”

H4353

makir, an israelite

בָּנִ֖ים8 of 24

“had no sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה9 of 24

“of Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לֹא10 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָ֥יוּ11 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֛וֹ12 of 24
H0
בָּנִ֖ים13 of 24

“had no sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

כִּ֣י14 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם15 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּנֹתָ֔יו16 of 24

“but daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙17 of 24
H428

these or those

שְׁמ֣וֹת18 of 24

“and these are the names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בְּנֹתָ֔יו19 of 24

“but daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

מַחְלָ֣ה20 of 24

“Mahlah”

H4244

machlah, the name apparently of two israelitesses

וְנֹעָ֔ה21 of 24

“and Noah”

H5270

noah, an israelitess

חָגְלָ֥ה22 of 24

“Hoglah”

H2295

choglah, an israelitess

מִלְכָּ֖ה23 of 24

“Milcah”

H4435

milcah, the name of a hebrewess and of an israelite

וְתִרְצָֽה׃24 of 24

“and Tirzah”

H8656

tirtsah, a place in palestine; also an israelitess

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 17:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 17:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 26:33Numbers 27:1Numbers 36:2-11

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