King James Version

What Does Numbers 27:8 Mean?

Numbers 27:8 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inherit...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.

Read Numbers 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God'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.

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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

  1. How does physical inheritance in the Old Testament picture spiritual inheritance in Christ?
  2. What does God's concern for preserving family inheritance teach about covenant faithfulness?
  3. How should we view our spiritual inheritance as believers—secure or uncertain?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְאֶל1 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּבֵן֙2 of 15

“and have no son”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל3 of 15

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

תְּדַבֵּ֣ר4 of 15

“And thou shalt speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לֵאמֹ֑ר5 of 15

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִ֣ישׁ6 of 15

“If a man”

H376

a 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

יָמ֗וּת8 of 15

“die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וּבֵן֙9 of 15

“and have no son”

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

אֵ֣ין10 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ל֔וֹ11 of 15
H0
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתֶּ֥ם12 of 15

“to pass”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת13 of 15
H853

properly, 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”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

לְבִתּֽוֹ׃15 of 15

“unto his daughter”

H1323

a 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.

Test Your Knowledge

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