King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:33 Mean?

Numbers 26:33 in the King James Version says “And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, a...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.”

Numbers 26:33 · KJV

Context

31

And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:

32

And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.

33

And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

34

These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

35

These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

Read Numbers 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah (צְלָפְחָד)—This verse's placement within dry genealogy is stunning: it disrupts male-lineage recording to memorialize five women by name. Their case (Numbers 27:1-11) challenged Moses and required direct divine judgment, establishing that covenant inheritance flows through daughters when sons are absent.

The daughters' names carry meaning: Mahlah ('sickness'), Noah ('movement'), Hoglah ('partridge'), Milcah ('counsel'), Tirzah ('delight'). Together they represent completeness—from sickness to delight, weakness to beauty. Their faithfulness preserved their father's name (שֵׁם, shem) when he had no male heir, demonstrating that covenant loyalty, not gender, determines inheritance. This Old Testament text thus prophetically affirms women as covenant bearers, anticipating Galatians 3:28.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zelophehad died in the wilderness, possibly in Korah's rebellion era but not for that sin (Numbers 27:3). His daughters' petition came during this very census period, making their mention here a legal record. Their courage to approach Moses publicly, challenging patriarchal norms, led to landmark legislation (Numbers 36) ensuring daughters' inheritance rights while preserving tribal land integrity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Zelophehad's daughters model godly assertiveness in challenging unjust systems while respecting proper authority?
  2. What does this passage teach about God's concern for preserving the 'name' and legacy of the faithful, even through unconventional means?
  3. How might these five women typologically represent the Church—born from 'sickness' and 'the pit' yet becoming God's 'delight' and receiving full inheritance in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
צְלָפְחָ֔ד1 of 18

“And Zelophehad”

H6765

tselophchad, an israelite

בָּנִ֖ים2 of 18

“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

חֵ֗פֶר3 of 18

“of Hepher”

H2660

chepher, a place in palestine

לֹא4 of 18
H3808

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

הָ֥יוּ5 of 18
H1961

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

ל֛וֹ6 of 18
H0
בָּנִ֖ים7 of 18

“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

כִּ֣י8 of 18
H3588

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

אִם9 of 18
H518

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

בְּנ֣וֹת10 of 18

“but daughters”

H1323

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

וְשֵׁם֙11 of 18

“and the names”

H8034

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

בְּנ֣וֹת12 of 18

“but daughters”

H1323

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

צְלָפְחָ֔ד13 of 18

“And Zelophehad”

H6765

tselophchad, an israelite

מַחְלָ֣ה14 of 18

“were Mahlah”

H4244

machlah, the name apparently of two israelitesses

וְנֹעָ֔ה15 of 18

“and Noah”

H5270

noah, an israelitess

חָגְלָ֥ה16 of 18

“Hoglah”

H2295

choglah, an israelitess

מִלְכָּ֖ה17 of 18

“Milcah”

H4435

milcah, the name of a hebrewess and of an israelite

וְתִרְצָֽה׃18 of 18

“and Tirzah”

H8656

tirtsah, a place in palestine; also an israelitess

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 26:33 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 Numbers 26:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 27:1Numbers 36:10-12

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