King James Version
What Does Numbers 27:8 Mean?
“And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.”
Numbers 27:8 · KJV
Context
6
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
7
The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
8
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
9
And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
10
And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryGod's command 'If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter' establishes the principle of female inheritance. The Hebrew he'evir nachalah (cause inheritance to pass) indicates legal transfer of property rights. This law ensured family land remained within bloodlines, preventing tribal territory loss. The specification moves from daughters to progressively more distant relatives (verses 9-11), ensuring no Israelite family lost its covenant inheritance in the land. This points to spiritual inheritance—believers inherit eternal life and the new creation (Romans 8:17) through covenant relationship.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Land inheritance in Israel carried theological significance beyond economics. God gave each tribe specific territory (Joshua 13-21) as fulfillment of Abrahamic promises. Land represented covenant blessing, and losing it meant losing tangible connection to God's promises. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) and these inheritance laws ensured land stayed within families, preventing permanent disinheritance. This preserved tribal identities until Messiah's coming.
Reflection Questions
- How does physical inheritance in the Old Testament picture spiritual inheritance in Christ?
- What does God's concern for preserving family inheritance teach about covenant faithfulness?
- How should we view our spiritual inheritance as believers—secure or uncertain?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsוּבֵן֙2 of 15
“and have no son”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל3 of 15
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
תְּדַבֵּ֣ר4 of 15
“And thou shalt speak”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אִ֣ישׁ6 of 15
“If a man”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּֽי7 of 15
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וּבֵן֙9 of 15
“and have no son”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
ל֔וֹ11 of 15
H0וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥ם12 of 15
“to pass”
H5674to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת13 of 15
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַֽחֲלָת֖וֹ14 of 15
“then ye shall cause his inheritance”
H5159properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
לְבִתּֽוֹ׃15 of 15
“unto his daughter”
H1323a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
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 27:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.